So funny, I have that too with certain cities but it doesn't make any sense. I lived in NYC for twenty years, the city most inspiring to all, and barely took photos there. Always traveling. But I have since, during the pandemic, taught myself how to see differently again, to be better at slowing down and noticing, and that has opened up Amsterdam and Paris for me, with time. (It's different for everyone of course, not saying other points of view aren't equally valid to what has worked for me.)
Love the Albertina. I know Vienna a bit. My mother (1921-2022) and her family were Viennese. My grandfather and some of his siblings made it out after the Anschluss. The “real” Vienna, to my mind, hides behind its genteel facade. I have profoundly mixed feelings about the place. It would be a challenge to get beneath its surface.
I think you’ve written before that Paris doesn’t inspire you. I just returned from Paris, my second trip there, and I love it for street photography. It’s human scaled and readily walkable in away that few American cities are. Most people associate Paris with its iconic look and even grandeur (so many monuments and monumental buildings built in the 19th and early 20th centuries 🙄). But it also has a gritty store front look that is disappearing from most US cities, including NYC, if it ever existed at all. What inspires us is always idiosyncratic so I am always curious to find what does and doesn’t inspire someone else.
Really beautiful shots! I've never been to Vienna (nor that part of Europe at all), but enjoy that these photos aren't announcing themselves as being of a specific place, with a specific identity so easily recognized, at least to this outsider. Nice work!
Love the photos Dina. Inspiration for me to travel to Vienna to do an edition of SIX (my substack). Would love your feedback if you have a spare minute.
Your comment about the types of cities that don’t inspire you got me thinking. I also struggle to find compelling shots in places that are too picturesque or unique. I believe it’s because the instinct to capture the setting’s beauty or originality competes with the effort to find interesting human moments, also diverting attention from them in the photograph. However, this effect diminishes as one becomes more familiar with the place, as its beauty or originality no longer competes for one’s attention. Does this resonate with you? You did capture great moments in Vienna that don’t scream, “This is Vienna!” Thanks for sharing!
So funny, I have that too with certain cities but it doesn't make any sense. I lived in NYC for twenty years, the city most inspiring to all, and barely took photos there. Always traveling. But I have since, during the pandemic, taught myself how to see differently again, to be better at slowing down and noticing, and that has opened up Amsterdam and Paris for me, with time. (It's different for everyone of course, not saying other points of view aren't equally valid to what has worked for me.)
I think I may be ready to try Paris again.
Let me know when you go, we got quite often :)
Love the Albertina. I know Vienna a bit. My mother (1921-2022) and her family were Viennese. My grandfather and some of his siblings made it out after the Anschluss. The “real” Vienna, to my mind, hides behind its genteel facade. I have profoundly mixed feelings about the place. It would be a challenge to get beneath its surface.
I think you’ve written before that Paris doesn’t inspire you. I just returned from Paris, my second trip there, and I love it for street photography. It’s human scaled and readily walkable in away that few American cities are. Most people associate Paris with its iconic look and even grandeur (so many monuments and monumental buildings built in the 19th and early 20th centuries 🙄). But it also has a gritty store front look that is disappearing from most US cities, including NYC, if it ever existed at all. What inspires us is always idiosyncratic so I am always curious to find what does and doesn’t inspire someone else.
I am always fascinated by great photos from cities/places that I cannot photograph in. It gives me a door to the vision that makes that possible.
I can’t promise my photos of Paris will be great or inspirational but I understand your point 😂
Love the colors in these photographs, especially the portraits.
Really beautiful shots! I've never been to Vienna (nor that part of Europe at all), but enjoy that these photos aren't announcing themselves as being of a specific place, with a specific identity so easily recognized, at least to this outsider. Nice work!
Love the photos Dina. Inspiration for me to travel to Vienna to do an edition of SIX (my substack). Would love your feedback if you have a spare minute.
Beautiful little slices of life! Thanks for sharing.
Your comment about the types of cities that don’t inspire you got me thinking. I also struggle to find compelling shots in places that are too picturesque or unique. I believe it’s because the instinct to capture the setting’s beauty or originality competes with the effort to find interesting human moments, also diverting attention from them in the photograph. However, this effect diminishes as one becomes more familiar with the place, as its beauty or originality no longer competes for one’s attention. Does this resonate with you? You did capture great moments in Vienna that don’t scream, “This is Vienna!” Thanks for sharing!
I hope to see some of these exhibited in New York soon. Gorgeous!