Esther's photos with the keyword: Black & White Photos

Statues in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy. The Rape of the Sabine Women and Hercules and the Centaur (background) are 16th Century works by Giambologna. "The Rape of the Sabine Women is an episode in the legendary history of Rome in which the first generation of Roman men acquired wives for themselves from the neighboring Sabine families. The English word "rape" is a conventional translation of Latin raptio, which in this context means "abduction" rather than its prevalent modern meaning of sexual violation. " en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rape_of_the_Sabine_Women AIMG_3027

A different view of the oft photographed staircase at the Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy. Processed in black and white.

A tree sized fern unfolding near La Fortuna, Costa Rica AxMG_1984

Bhaktapur in Nepal was founded in the 12th century and was the capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom until the 15th century. Thereafter, it was an independent kingdom from then until the 18th century until it became part of Nepal. It isl ocated about 20 km east of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley. The carvings on many of the buildings including this temple are exquisite. ODT: Mystical Figure AIMG_721

Dense palms curve and form a ceiling in the Sarapiqui Rainforest AxMG_1789

A modern photograph of Varanasi from the Ganges River has a timeless look. Varanasi is considered to be a holy city by Buddhists and Jains, and is viewed as the holiest place in the world by Hindus who believe that it was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago. It is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Although the Ganges is extremely polluted, people believe that it will physically and spiritually cleanse them. Laundry and bathing can be seen continally along the Ganges at Varanasi. AIMG_9881A

Many of the old buildings near Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal have intricate wooden carved decorations that have been worn by time and have little protection from the elements. Electrical lighting is haphazardly wired with little regard to preserving the antiquities. AIMG_0065

Despite the saddle, I don't think that camels were really designed to be ridden. Mounting and dismounting involves being jolted at a 45 degree angle and riding a camel moves your spine as if you were using a hula hoop in slow motion. It's fun to do - once - but unless you are crossing the Sahara, take a bus. AIMG_5942A

Wildebeest migrating across the Mara River, Kenya. ODT: Making tracks AAfrica 2006 308A