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Known as the “black pearl of
the Mediterranean“ for its basaltic rocks witnessing ancient lava flows, the
island of Ustica (from the Latin word ustum = burnt) is the upper part of an
extinct Neozoic volcanic system. Unspoilt land and powerful sea make it an
ideal location for both nature lovers and creative photographers. If you
listen carefully with your heart, a deep sense of peace and tuning with nature
fills you up, and you become part of it.
The little size of the island gives the
opportunity of having both east coast and west coast within a ten-minute-drive,
a bonus for landscape photographers chasing sunsets and sunrises. Actually,
the best time to shoot is early morning or late afternoon, when the better
quality of light enhances the marvellous mix of water and land , making
contrasts and textures come alive. This is especially true in the summer when
the sun is high, the light flat, and the temperature hot. Better to follow the
ancient rule “photograph early, photograph late, take a nap during the day…”.
During one of these summer afternoons I was
trekking along a cliff overlooking the green and blue waters below. I knew
that the sun was lowering towards
the horizon, so I chose the right location waiting for a gorgeous orange
sunset to fill my heart with wonder and my film with colours. Suddenly,
distant clouds and haze came up and all my expectations were frustrated by the
disappointing turn of events. I didn’t take a single shot.
Then, I
decided to walk along the cliff to enjoy a little more the warm breeze and the
sound of crushing waves. Those distant clouds had approached towards the
island and, as the light was fading, they started to change from yellow to red,
from pink to violet, still illuminated by the refracted light of the sun.
Thus, my waiting was
rewarded with an astonishing mixture of colours. It all happened very quickly.
I knew it would be gone in a matter of minutes. Then, as the rays of the
lighthouse started to brighten spots in the dark, my thoughts stopped on how
lucky I was to be there in that moment.
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