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Transformation to Remove a Warning

Way back in 2016…you remember 2016 don’t you?…I took you to the island of Burano. You can tap here to recall this very colorful island which sits in the Venetian lagoon. Whilst exploring this unique place, I came across yet another door. I know, I know…that’s what I tend to do when I’m in any part of Venice…or Italy in general, for that matter.

This particular door wasn’t all that photogenic, but I made a snapshot anyway. I thought that I might be able to spruce it up a bit. There was a bit of faded graffiti to the right of the door. And on the door was a dire warning of some sort. But, as you know, that just doesn’t stop me.

The Snapshot

Here is the snapshot…

The Warning Placard

Regarding that warning on this door…what is that, anyway? Let’s take a look. You can click on the image to get a closer look.

We can see that lightening bolt, which normally means ‘electricity’.

And one of the warnings seems to say, “Don’t touch this”. While the other warning lets us know that we shouldn’t throw a bucket of water on a fire here, should we encounter that.

Below that graphic we can see that this is the Mandracchio area of Burano. A mandracchio is a small inlet where one would tie up a couple of boats, which fits well with this island/town of Burano. And the logo at top left suggests that the Enel energy company put this label there. And this ‘cabin’ has been here since January of 1989.

I’ll be darned, this isn’t a door to a residence or business, but its an electrical closet of some sort.

I can hear you now, “Don’t worry about any of that, Steve…go ahead and do your transformation thingie!”. Ok, ok, I’m on it.

The Transformation

The first item is the removal that warning placard. And hey, did you see that kids have been playing a bit of soccer here, as we can see from the soccer ball imprint on the door. Careful kids! And, while I’m at it, I may as well straighten and crop a bit.

The placard is now gone, as is the soccer ball imprint.

Let’s now give the image a bit of color…it’s much too blah.

We’re getting close, but I’m wanting to see a bit more of that Venetian patina. I forgot all about that bit of graffiti to the right of the door…sorry about that. It has to go.

The Final Image

OK, here it is…the final image.

Disclaimer!

Uh oh, the carabinieri are here! I swear that I didn’t remove that placard. Well, maybe I did. But, I’ll put it back, ok? Done!

Endings

Not a lot of charm in this doorway, but what would one expect from an electrical closet, right?

I’ll keep wandering the calle of Burano to see what I can see. I know that there are a few women around who still make handmade lace, so I’ll see if I can find some.

There they are. Well, it appears that one is making lace, one is checking out a catalog, and one is thinking about what she will make for her dinner’s secondi course tonight. Come back next week to find out.

That’s it for today’s transformation. Come back next week to see what sort of possibilities abound with the secondi course at the Italian mealtime. Until then…

Ciao for Now,

Steve

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Transforming a Lubriano Door

This transformation is dedicated to my dear friend Diana Armstrong. She and her husband David were adventurous souls who followed a dream that many of us have…they bought a place in Italy! And not just any place.

They have a beautifully charming home in Lubriano, Italy, where she spends time looking out at this view of the hilltop town of Civita di Bagnoregio. Here, she writes her beautiful books about Italian life, her father’s war, and cooking. If you are a late comer to my articles of Italy, please take a moment to see more about her life and accomplishments in my 2016 article titled, “Covering for Friends”.

Much of the charm of the Armstrong’s compound comes from the fact that their residence is part of a converted, 400-year-old monastery. In her first book, "Somewhere South of Tuscany: 5 Years in a Four-Cat Town" (2010), Diana tells the story of how they came upon, purchased, and renovated their home. In her second book, “A Winding Path to Umbria: The Silent Bridge of Time” (2016), we learn that her father was within that very same view, as he was part of the allied forces who fought to take that town.

The Door in Lubriano

Diana, you most likely know this door well…but as you will see, it is in better shape in my version, than in reality.

You pass by this door as you turn right out of your house toward Piazza Col di Lana…it’s just down a bit on the left. Specifically, it is number 2 Via Roma.

Here we see number 2 in all of it’s faded glory. Time, the weather, and neglect have left this once-proud door in very poor shape. In just moments, I plan to rectify that situation.

What do I need to do? Well, as is usual, I want to get rid of the more modern elements in this snapshot. For instance, the address plaque needs to go, as does the chain and padlock. How about that stopgap measure in the form of cardboard? That most definitely has to go bye-bye.

Stage One: Misplaced Artifacts Removed

Now…no cardboard, no chain and lock, and no address plaque.

Step 2: A Bit of Contrast and Saturation

Step 3: A Bit of Red Paint

The door is definitely old, so it will remain in a weathered condition, but I just don’t like that yellow-orange. Let’s go with a bit of red.

Step 4: Mood and Patina

Now were getting somewhere.

The Final Step

I like to put my transformed door and window photos into an 8x10 aspect ratio. The previous photos were too tall and skinny. To fit the photo into my desired 8x10, I had to add a bit to each side of the door to make the photo wider. So, I did just that.

Now, here is the final photo. It seems to be in the twilight hours, as it looks to be getting dark on Via Roma. Things seem to be much better now…maybe the owners would like me to come over to sand away that old paint and then paint the door anew. All they have to do is ask.

There you have it readers. And Diana, as you pass by, I’m sure that you won’t see that door in the same light, again.

Until next time…

Ciao for now,

Steve

A Plethora of Transformations

Index of Articles

Garnering a Sense of Accomplishment

Have you ever looked back at something that you had accomplished and thought, “I can’t believe I did that!”? Maybe it was preparing a particularly complicated Italian dish. Perhaps it was a feat of strength or endurance that you had thought to be beyond your abilities. Or, you painted a masterpiece that you had no idea was within you. Or, even more daring, perhaps you took a huge leap of faith, moved to Italy, and created a fabulous wine empire…right?

“I was recently looking over my transformations, and I thought, ‘Wow! I did that!’.”

Whatever it might be, there is often something that stretches you beyond your comfort zone to do that which, when accomplished, gives you a sense of pride. And with that pride, you have a sense of satisfaction and even awe that you did it.

Transformations Generated Thus Far

Today, I want to share with you my own recent sense of accomplishment. One that encourages me to keep going with my photography. You’ve seen the various transformations that I’ve performed over the past 6 years. I was recently looking over those transformations, and I thought, ‘Wow! I did that!’. And, as I looked back, I was a bit self-impressed in what I had done. So, I thought I’d just share with you a retrospective of transformations.

Below, I give you both the very raw snapshot with which I started, as well as the completed photo . And as usual, you can click on any image to get a larger view. Each subject is presented from oldest published, to the more recent publications. And, if you want to know more about the circumstance surrounding a photograph, just click on the dated title of the transformation (and you can access all of the transformations from the Index of Articles).

Enjoy.

June 16, 2015 — Serendipity, Stakeouts & Targeting - Part 2

A transformation by assembling a composite of various elements.

September 1, 2015 — Transforming the Copse

One original with three variations of transformation.

September 15, 2015 — Transforming the Pieta

Simply transforming a snapshot of a glass-encased masterpiece, complete with reflections.

October 6, 2015 — Transforming the Bee Fountain

The subject: a 17th century street-side sculpture by Bernini.

October 13, 2015 — Securing Your Haven

This door has a plethora of locking mechanisms installed.

October 27, 2015 — Transforming L’Uomo Della Pizza

Just what is that pizza man thinking?

November 3, 2015 — Transforming A Sunken Door

Seems to be an ill-conceived doorway, just welcoming high water in Venice to enter the premises.

November 30, 2015 — Transforming the Cathedral of San Andreas

What does this church in Amalfi, with its breathtaking mosaic front, have to do with Scotland?

February 9, 2016 — Transforming the Punta della Dogana

This is the point where the Grand Canal of Venice joins the Bacino San Marco (St Mark’s Basin), with Santa Maria della Salute sitting proud.

March 1, 2016 — Transforming the Pozzi

Many years ago, these water wells were Venice’s source of fresh drinking water, collected during rainfalls.

March 8, 2016 — Transforming a Blue Boat

A blue boat with modern motor and an unbalance scene due to a single balcony…all resolved.

March 29, 2016 — Iron-Bar Windows

Each of the windows along three sides of the campo-level of this building has a uniquely patterned iron-barred window. I’ve compiled them into on collage.

August 30, 2016 — Rome Tunnel Composite

I saw the car on a street and envisioned putting it into a Roman tunnel. Done!

January 24, 2017 — Transforming a Corte

Yes, the basketball hoop was there…no, the basketball wasn’t.

February 25, 2020 — Transforming an Abandoned Water Gate

I removed a gondola, and inserted a gondola.

March 17, 2020 — Transforming a Venetian Glassblower’s Door

Gas lines abound in this Murano-based glass factory.

March 31, 2020 — Transforming the Courtyard of the Blacksmith

A very small portion of the original photo is featured in this Murano canal-side scene.

August 25, 2020 — Transforming with a Flip-Flop

I envisioned symmetry…I got symmetry.

September 29, 2020 — A Transformation with Substantial Alteration

This was delicate work, as the brickwork was crumbling before my very eyes.

February 2, 2021 — A Promised Transformation

We saw this door desperately needing transformation on our quiet walk through Dorsoduro, remember?

March 9, 2021 — Head On!

Like the very first transformation above, here is a composite of separate images.

April 6, 2021 — Haiku on a Blue Door

Thanks to Connie for the Haiku, which inspired publication of this transformation.

May 11, 2021 — Lamplight on a Blue Door

A lonely, unplugged lamp just sitting/standing there, wanting to cast its light.

I hope that you enjoyed seeing the retrospective of transformations that I’ve published to date. Rest assured that more are on the way and that a future retrospective will be in the offing.

Ciao for now.

Steve

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A Promised Transformation

Index of Articles

Last week, we ran across a blah Venetian door whilst we walked through the quiet Dorsoduro district of Venice. Today, I fulfill my promise to transform it before your very eyes! So, let’s get started…

Here is the snapshot that we captured on our walk. I don’t like it. I’m going to do something about that.

As always in my Italy transformations, I want to give you an Italy of centuries ago, before electrical conduits and water pipes and doorbell buzzers and such were placed on the buildings. So, I’ll remove the distracting elements.

Distracting elements removed, but I don’t like the way the iron-embellished window throws off the balance of the photo. And the iron pipe to the right needs to go.

Window removed? Check. Iron pipe removed? Check.

It’s ancient-patina time, so I give the photo a rich mellow color.

Now to remove the house number and brighten up the colors of the door. But, I’m not liking the distracting stonework along the right edge of the photograph.

For my final version, I crop in a good bit to remove the distracting stone work along the right edge. Then, I’m not exactly liking the composition, as the window area on the left seems to compositionally weigh the photo down on that side. I’m going to add the iron water pipe back in to the upper right, where it belongs, as well as remove a bit of the plaster that surrounded the original. And, since I tightened the crop, I need to move the stonework at the top of the photo down a bit, so I’ll take care of that now.

So, here is the final image. A far sight better sight than the original snapshot captured while we were on our walk last week, don’t you think?

That’s it for today’s transformation from blah to ahhh. Hope you enjoyed the results, and the walk last week. Until next time, I say…

Ciao for now,

Steve

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