Verona Italy

Two of Shakespeare‘s plays are set in Verona: Romeo and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. It is unknown if Shakespeare ever visited Verona or Italy at all, but his plays have lured many visitors to Verona and surrounding cities. The city has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture.

 Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can acquire his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Cavazzone (azienda agricola e agrituristica)

Cavazzone has produced balsamic vinegar for generations. A winding 40 minute drive from Reggio Emilia, Italy to this magnificent location. Ask for Umberto Sidoli, the owner. Perhaps you will be fortunate enough to be taken on a tour of this extraordinary property!

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can acquire his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan

Only steps from the Duomo you will find this magnificent mall, a glass and iron covered gallery. Breathtaking

!Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can acquire his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

The Duomo Cathedral of Milan – A Coney Island of the Mind

“In Milan, in spite of weariness, we climbed up to the roof of the Duomo and there amused ourselves with the fine population of figures of that eye-catching marble garden”

Hermann Hesse, 1903

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can acquire his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

The Duomo Cathedral of Milan

Henry James : “A structure not supremely interesting, not logical, not … commandingly beautiful, but grandly curious and superbly rich. … If it had no other distinction it would still have that of impressive, immeasurable achievement … a supreme embodiment of vigorous effort.”

It is so complex so as to confuse. But, when viewed on a broader level, an appreciation of this structure keeps producing wonder. If you plan on visiting, get there early before the crowds and seek access to the elevator that will take you to the top. The interior doesn’t compete with some other cathedrals, but the exterior is insanely intricate and magnificent. Its very complexity creates a photographic puzzle which is extremely difficult to capture. When in Milan, give yourself several hours to enjoy.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can acquire his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Hats Off!

My Hat is off to all of you have followed my blog all these years; commented, participated, agreed, disagreed, and otherwise made this endeavor so enjoyable! Here is hoping for a healthy and creative 2018. Please keep your comments coming!!!!!!

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Elvis is in the House!

Early morning fog provides an amazing photographic opportunity!

If not Elvis, then perhaps Jimmy Hoffa! Nevertheless, you never know when a great opportunity might strike, so keep that camera charged and ready to go. A totally unexpected, early morning fog provided this wonderful possibility.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Freedom Tower, New York City

Visiting ground zero is an emotional and required visit when coming to New York City. Both the interior and exterior provide dramatic, memorable, and sadly, chilling views.

One World Trade Center is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. The structure has the same name as the North Tower of the original World Trade Center.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

 

Roman Rain

Waiting for the rain to stop

The beautiful weather turned quickly, but opportunity came calling.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Longest Night travels to Rome

PRIZE 2016

I am thrilled to announce that I will be one of 30 artists named as finalists. The opening reception will be held 4/1/2017 at Arte Borgo Gallery
Borgo Vittorio 25
ROMA – ITALY
Tel.: +39 06 44 61 945 at 18:00 h

Longest Night – Eastern State Penitentiary

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

INCARCERATION Opens at OCCCA

Rich Smukler Exhibits Longest Night at OCCCA

Opening Reception: Saturday, February 4, 2017, 6-10pm

February 4 thru March 11, 2017

Curators: Pat Sparkuhl, Gregg Stone, Leslie Davis

Longest Night – Eastern State Penitentiary

“If you would seek vengeance above all else, be sure to dig two graves.” – Greek proverb

The U.S. now confines more than 2.2 million people in its prisons. This amounts to 1.2% percent of its population, more than any other country and eight times more per capita than Russia. Our incarcerated citizens have become a shadow nation, hidden and often forgotten. This shadow nation is supported by a budget estimated at 64 billion annually, or nearly 6% of our gross national product. Incarceration has become a big and rigorously privatized business. Our current approach has produced a profitable if brutal cycle: poverty and the absence of economic opportunity funnel individuals into crime, prisons militate against rehabilitation, convicts re-offend following release, and after arrest are returned to prison as compliant recidivists. As a result, U.S. recidivism rates are now at 68% and increase every year. In this environment, it’s hard to tell where justice ends and vengeance begins.

“Longest Night” is part of a photographic essay of Eastern State Penitentiary recently published by LenCulture Magazine. Located in Philadelphia (Smukler’s hometown), Eastern State Penitentiary was once the largest and most expensive public structure ever erected, and quickly became a model for more than 300 prisons worldwide and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. It was also known for some such infamous prisoners as Al Capone and Willie Sutton.

 

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

LandEscape Art Review features Rich Smukler

I am very proud to share this with you. For me, a wonderful way to start the new year. As always, I remain excited to share any questions or comments that you might have. Are there any images in the article that move you? And thank you all for following my work. It means a lot to me.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

11th Annual Black and White Spider Award in Architecture

Coverage – Black and White Spider Award Nominee from New Orleans French Quarter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

11TH ANNUAL BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS HONORS RICH SMUKLER  FROM THE UNITED STATES IN THE ARCHITECTURAL CATEGORY

LOS ANGELES 11/5/2016  Photographer Rich Smukler of the United States was presented with the 11th Annual Black and White Spider Awards Nominee title in the category of Architecture at a prestigious Nomination & Winners PhotoShow webcast Saturday, November 5, 2016.

The live online gala was attended by over 10,500 photography fans around the globe who logged on to watch the climax of the industry’s most important event for black and white photography.

11th Annual Jury members included captains of the industry from National Geographic, Washington DC; The Armory Show, New York; TBWA, Paris; Victoria Film Festival, Canada; Aeroplastics Contemporary, Brussels; Studio Hansa, London; Fratelli Alinari, Florence; Australian Centre for Photography; Young & Rubicam, Lima; and Anthem Worldwide/Marque Branding, Sydney who honored Spider Fellows with 627 coveted title awards and 951 nominees in 31 categories.

“It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 7,556 entries we received this year,” said Basil O’Brien, the awards Creative Director. “Smukler’s “Coverage,” an exceptional image entered in the Architectural category, represents black and white photography at its finest, and we’re pleased to present him with the title of Nominee.” Jury member Paola Anselmi, interdisciplinary curator and arts writer in Australia added, “As always it was a real treat to be part of the program. Congratulations to all involved and to all the remarkable photographers who gift us new insights into the world and ourselves.” “A truly amazing set of entries, so many deserving winners,” added Marcel Wijnen, Creative Director at Anthem Worldwide.

BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS is the leading international award honoring excellence in black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honors the finest images with the highest achievements in black and white photography.http://www.thespiderawards.com

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).