Themes

Many of us who have walked on a beach, swam or sailed in the sea have an abiding fascination with its serene beauty and temperamental power, and so too a wonder for the creatures that live in it. In this personal gallery of images I am 'hanging' the favorites among my images of the sea — sunrises, sunsets, crashing waves, and the creatures that dwell below its waves — as a metaphor for the moods of the sea.

Venice is certainly one of the most alluring cities of the world — unusual, enigmatic, romantic, and rich in art and architecture. I have visited the waterbound city around a dozen times, mostly while I was away from my university classes, and lecturing on cruises. My first visit was in 1992, when I took my son who was then in medical school, my last visit was in 2008.

We all do some traveling, but where we live is where we get to see a wide spectrum of lighting conditions, where nature presents its different moods. So it is with this narrow little park through which I drive daily. During the American Civil War (1861-1865) these fields became witness to unspeakable tragedy, specially during a few days in December 1862. Over the years I've photographed it many times. Here are some of my favorite views of the park.