Impressions of Milan

Milan

I was in Milan last weekend

Actually, it was just a day, or a day and a half, so I didn’t really get to see much. And, given that I’m a bad tourist to begin with, I don’t usually make any plans in advance. I’m happy to just walk around aimlessly and see what happens.

I’m also very bad at sightseeing, preferring mundane details in ordinary neighbourhoods to well-known landmarks. And when I take photographs, I try to capture the moment, or the mood, or an impression. I often post these pictures on my second Instagram account (as you know, I have 3), which I call my ‘photo journal’ (@moments_revisited).

Milano

Milan 1300 x 800

Milano 1300 x 1000

Milan 1300 x 800

There was some impressive graffiti:

graffiti

Milan 1300 x 800

OK, I confess: I really wanted to see the Duomo. From the outside, that is. I mean, you can’t go to Milan and not take a photo of the Duomo, right?

Yes, I know, a proper tourist would also want to see what the inside of the cathedral looks like, but I couldn’t care less. As far as I’m concerned, once you’ve seen one cathedral, you’ve seen them all.

Besides, although I’m not a religious person myself, I dislike the idea of tourists gawking and snapping pictures in a place of worship. It seems so disrespectful, somehow.

Milan 1300 x 800

And I also wanted to see the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. But I didn’t go shopping there. There were way too many people for my liking.

You see, I can’t stand crowded places. They make me stressed out and uncomfortable: I want to flee, get out of there as fast as I can. Or curl up in a corner in a state of panic. 

Anyway… I had to take a few pictures of the fabulous floor:

Milan 1300 x 800

Milan 1300 x 800

You know what else I like to photograph? Reflections. As in reflections of light, or reflections of buildings on water, like here:

Milan

And of course I also took some photos of the view from the plane window as I was leaving Milan:

clouds over mountains

There are more of these on my other blog, Dilettante Artist.

Tiina

What do you like to photograph when you’re travelling?

Linking up with:

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8 Comments

  1. mireilleftm
    20 February 2020 / 4:36 pm

    I love these pictures! Beautiful photography! I am going to have to follow your other account. I really enjoy taking pictures of buildings in Europe. Any street can become picturesque.
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      21 February 2020 / 12:38 pm

      Thanks Mireille! I have 3 Instagram accounts and 2 blogs… A bit obsessive, maybe…

  2. 20 February 2020 / 10:26 pm

    These are amazing captures. I like that you captured moods, things that make you happy with traveling rather than the repeated landmarks that we are used to seeing. I feel the same way about crowds. It’s just not my thing. Glad you had a good time regardless of short time there.

    Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      21 February 2020 / 12:42 pm

      Thanks, Maureen. I don’t take pictures of landmarks, or other typical ‘touristy’ photos, because there are plenty of those photos around (in books, postcards etc) by much better photographers. Instead, I like to focus on interesting details, or the way light is reflected or something. I find that this way I can provide a more personal view on my subject.

  3. Arlene Gomes
    25 February 2020 / 3:25 pm

    I usually take random photos of local neighborhoods that I think are interesting. Everyone can see photos of famous landmarks by just googling them but I find I enjoy looking (and photographing) pretty houses or unique ones and quaint streets more interesting to look at later. I think you are the same, right? Loved your photos of Milan. I’ve never been to Italy but always wanted to go. Did you like it? I’m sure even for the short time you were in Milan that you found it very pretty. Arlene from NJ

    • Tiina
      Author
      26 February 2020 / 4:51 pm

      Oh yes, random photos of local neighbourhoods, or interesting details, that’s what I do, too!
      Yes, I liked Milan, and wished I could have stayed longer. OK, I was there just before the news about virus spreading broke out… Under different circumstances, I would have loved to explore it more. I’ve only been to Italy a few times, I don’t really know it at all.

  4. shelbeeontheedge1
    1 March 2020 / 8:13 pm

    Tiina, your photographs are so beautiful and very much capture the things that I would be drawn to as well. I am not big on the hot tourist spots either but prefer to discover the unique little nuances of a place. Also not a religious person, I too find it somewhat disrespectful to get all touristy in a place of worship (and cemeteries). Thanks so much for sharing all of the beauty in Milan as seen through your eyes and your lens!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      4 March 2020 / 3:27 pm

      Thank you! I have to admit that I tend to avoid the well-known tourist attractions. Partly because I’m simply a ‘bad tourist’, and partly because I can’t stand crowded places (or waiting in line)…

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