Val d'Orcia, Italy

Location added by Alberto Dall'oglio

The information about this location have been automatically translated with Microsoft Translator.

Rank : 9.5 (average on 68 votes)

Coordinates : 43.062774, 11.559033 (Open in Google Maps)

Subjects : The Val d'Orcia is a beautiful hilly area that extends south of the Crete Senesi, in the province of Siena, in the north-east of the Monte Amiata (ancient volcano, now extinct), crossed by the river Orcia and with fantastic views and beautiful medieval villages, among which Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia and Montalcino. Since July 2, 2004 the entire valley has been recognized as a World Heritage by UNESCO, for the excellent state of conservation of the landscape, as produced by an intelligent work of human, so the valley is now also an important park natural, artistic and cultural heritage. The subjects can be photographed are so many: from landscape photos with elements now "iconic" of the rural Tuscan landscape (isolated cypresses, dirt roads, winding stretches of wheat, sunflowers, etc.)., Famous all over the world and ubiquitous in calendars , the rich fauna of birds, deer, wild boar, hares, pheasants, sheep grazing (from whose milk is used to make the famous pecorino cheese). Even lovers of ancient villages and photos of architecture can find many views in the many small villages, where the art and the building blend in harmoniously with the landscape. Noteworthy are also the places of spirituality, among which stands out for its beauty and environment, the Abbey of St. Antimo. In conclusion, the light, the colors and textures of the landscape are the true protagonists of photographs of the Val d'Orcia!

Recommended equipment : The equipment may vary depending on the photographic genre that is preferred. A lens like the Canon 24-105 (on FF) is a great travel companion handyman and allows you to shoot many people with great freedom. Landscape is a must for the tripod and objectives and wide angle lenses, to isolate the beautiful details of shapes and colors that meet and to bridge the sometimes great distances that separate from the subjects. We often encounter situations demanding and strong contrasts of light, which becomes critical for the management of the dynamic range of the scene: GND filters are so useful, otherwise you need to work with multiple exposures and merging in post-processing. For animals, are subject to the general rules for this kind of photography, even if there are not any real oase nature, but open fields and patches of vegetation.

Best months : The Val d'Orcia is incredibly beautiful all year round, because highly changeable depending on the light, the weather and the landscape continually shaped by the skilled hands of the peasants. In spring, the valley is very green, full of flowers and green (a "little Ireland") and getting up at dawn (until June) you can witness the spectacle of the landscape surrounded by mist, which show only the highest hills and respective countries or farmhouses. July is the month of wheat harvest, and the valley is transformed into a riot of shades of yellow, with the fields that reveal geometric patterns to move the combine, at the end of harvest are scattered by the characteristic botoloni straw, which extends along the gentle slopes hills. August is the month bleaker: is not for sale to see how the landscape transforms before your eyes, day after day, while the furrow plows clearing the fields of yellow corn cut and revealing the colors and textures typical of the Crete Senesi. The landscape becomes in some places almost "lunar" and the picture is therefore of graphics and essential in its entirety. Autumn (October) is a riot of colors, especially in the generous Montalcino vineyards and forests of the Amiata, colonized by beech and chestnut trees.

How to get there : The most convenient way to reach and visit the Val d'Orcia is the car: Out of the chisel Bettolle - Val di Chiana on the A1, is held for Torrita di Siena and then to Pienza, a real "front door" for the Val d'Orcia.

Visits : The Val d'Orcia you can visit in complete freedom: respecting private property, you can still take dirt roads of incredible beauty. The museums or places of worship were of course some times.

Notes :

Calendar

Sunrise: 06:04, Sunset: 20:35

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Moon Phase

🌖 Waning Gibbous, Brightness: 92%

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