Tuscany

The astoudning natural beauty of Tuscany cannot be captured in photographs... but on a trip in 2010 I gave it my best shot, and here are the results!

Because the light and colours on the land differ according to the time of year, Tuscany changes with the seasons. However the landscapes are always breathtaking, though capturing them well can prove challenging. In this set I went in mid-May, arguably the optimal time: mornings still cool enough for some light mist to be present, but days warm enough for poppies to be in bloom.

This did mean, however, early starts - often getting up at 5am - to capture the coutryside at its best. The light during the day is often too harsh for decent photography, and sunrise and sunset usually produced the best results.

I based myself in San Quirico D'Orcia, a quintisental little Tuscan town pearched on a hilltop, surrounded by stunning countryside and with easy access to all the main towns and attractions in the Val D'Orcia.