The Mountain is My Teacher
It happens every time, this invitation to wake up. So, why do I jump back into the swirling river of busyness and the world of [...]
Washing Up at the Communal Fountain
It's often a family affair. I could park myself at these rustic communal fountains near the beaches of southern Italy (this one's in Puglia, the [...]
Italian Faces Define A Medieval Celebration
Sulmona, Medieval, jousting, la giostra cavalleresca, abruzzo
La Festa del Redentore in Venice Delivers
A front-row seat and an iPhone yield surprising results. Normally, for a spectacle of the magnitude of La Festa del Redentore, I'd be packing my [...]
The Sure Fire Creativity Killer
Being motivated by what people might think can kill the creative muse. I've known I've been a people pleaser most of my life. I've often [...]
A Nap on the Steps of the Duomo di Siena
A trip down Memory Lane. I've been so immersed in digital wizardry for so many years that I often forget about my vault of 35mm [...]
Put It on Ice.
Time for a short break to refuel... I've been going, going, going and doing, doing, doing. While I pat myself on the back for being [...]
Living the Colorful Life on the Island of Burano
How does daily living amongst saturated color affect a person? I've been asking myself this question ever since I first visited the island of Burano [...]
Go Ahead, Steer into the Storm.
I’ve been resisting the foul weather. By doing so, I've put myself squarely in the middle of the wrestling match with “what is.” I dig [...]
Venice Awakens
Early morning in The Floating City reveals much of the beauty normally obscured by hordes of tourists. This is why I packed up my camera [...]
Pardon My Mess…I’m Building Something New
Making Something New… © Jed Smith With change comes a few bumps and a bit of mess… Just a month ago I embarked on a [...]
The Enigmatic Faces of Carnevale
Carnevale, a centuries-old Venice festival invites “shadow play.” And, soon it will be upon us again for 2019. It begins just [...]
Sweeping Out What Weighs You Down.
361 © Jed Smith, Watercolor The problem is, most of what weighs us down is hidden from our conscious minds. That’s what I’ve realized recently, with [...]
Reflecting on Life as Night Falls in Venice
Life and beauty aren’t always found in brilliant light. Maybe this is a brief, passing phase, but I’m finding myself increasingly fascinated with the “darker [...]
Italian Faces Etched with Emotion
I love faces. And Italian faces are endlessly fascinating to me. Being married to an Italian has taught me firsthand that the passion that is [...]
Nuns Out and About
Just call me a paparazzo of the nuns. If you’ve followed previous photo posts, here and on my Instagram feed, you’ll know that I’m a [...]
Taking a Break from Multitasking
Actually, I’m recovering from an investment in the illusion that multitasking is even possible. You may have noticed that ItalyWise has been quiet for the [...]
A Symphony of Italian Hand Gestures
A beauty to behold. Yes, Italian hand gestures contain a fluidity and artistry that continues to amaze me. Italians must have something built into their [...]