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View of the sunset from Le Terrazze di Properzio in Assisi, Italy.
After two slow-paced nights in Orvieto, our travel crew rolled into Assisi in the late afternoon. That evening some parents (a fellowship that was nicknamed "Vino d’Italia") headed to a hillside restaurant a friend had booked earlier on her husband’s suggestion. The place was draped in bright geraniums and cypress branches, its terrace hanging over the entire Umbrian valley.
We ordered a few carafes of the house red, settled into easy conversation, and watched the sky fade from gold to a soft peach wash. The bell tower below drifted into silhouette, the dinner crowd hummed at that perfectly unhurried Italian pace, and every course felt like a quiet celebration of where we were and who we were with.
I fired off a quick three-shot exposure bracket to keep the glow in the sky and the deep shadows under the staircase. Later I realized I should have tried a focus stack, but I was more interested in soaking up the moment than chasing sharp edges. The photo still takes me straight back to that last wink of sun, the clink of glasses, and the slow wander past the basilica lights on our way back to the hotel. Good wine, good company, and a view that never gets old.
From atop the Duomo in Siena, this sweeping view offered one of the most breathtaking panoramas of the city and the Tuscan countryside beyond. The graceful curve of Piazza del Campo below, with the Torre del Mangia rising tall beside it, made the whole scene feel timeless.
The evening before, a few of us sat out on the Campo for a short but memorable break, enjoying Aperol Spritz cocktails and the buzz of the piazza before heading off to dinner overlooking the hills. Seeing it again from this vantage point—along with a flurry of birds soaring past—gave me a whole new appreciation for the layout of the city and the surrounding Tuscany countryside..
This image was taken during our Grand Tour through Greece, at the ancient site of Corinth. It was a city once known for its wealth, idolatry, and moral confusion, yet also the place where Paul boldly preached the Gospel. Just steps from this view is the Bema, where Paul stood trial. Having recently studied 1 Corinthians and the account of his time here in Acts, it was powerful to see the setting in person, to touch the stone where he stood, and to reflect on the contrast between the message he brought and the culture around him.
The columns in the photo are part of the Temple of Apollo, built around 560 BC during the Archaic period of Greek architecture. It is one of the earliest surviving Doric temples in mainland Greece. Throughout our time in this region, I kept finding myself drawn to these ancient columns — bold in their simplicity, weathered by time, yet still standing with presence and strength. Though only seven remain here, they hint at the scale and significance of what once stood. The temple was a symbol of Corinth’s former power and now stands as a quiet witness to both history and transformation.
As we walked through the site, this scene stopped me. The red flowers blooming at the edge of the ruins, the light on the weathered stone, the temple still holding its place, and the Acrocorinth rising in the background all came together in a way that felt honest and meaningful. The moment wasn’t planned. I looked up, and everything simply aligned. It wasn’t just the composition that caught my eye, but the way it seemed to hold the tension of Corinth itself: beauty and brokenness, former glory and lasting truth, all in one frame.
This photograph captures the breathtaking façade of the Duomo di Orvieto — one of Italy’s most striking examples of Gothic architecture. I stitched together three vertical shots and applied guided transformation to create a clean, centered perspective, as if viewed from higher ground, to better show the cathedral's stunning symmetry and detail.
Our school group spent over an hour in front of the cathedral, studying the intricate carvings that tell biblical stories as they ascend each column, and admiring the sculpted representations of the Four Gospels. The interior was just as powerful, with vivid frescoes and elaborate stonework that invited quiet reflection on the beauty and meaning within. And even with all that time, we only began to explore the intricate depths of the marvels here.
Our time in and around the Duomo added richly to the wonderful days we spent exploring Orvieto — a town full of history, charm, and unforgettable views.
This was early in the morning, just after the sun rose over the mountain above Assisi. I had set out for a quiet walk through the sloped city streets and around the grounds of the Basilica, taking in the stillness and soft golden light that made everything glow. It was the kind of morning that invited unhurried steps and quiet reflection.
Out on the lawn, I came across this statue, one I hadn’t noticed before, though I had passed through here the evening before. Set apart from the main walkway, it stood in shadows, facing the Basilica, which was glowing in the morning light. The contrast immediately caught my attention - this darkened figure in quiet reverence, looking toward the brilliant façade, all set against the backdrop of the Italian countryside. I later learned that this modern statue depicts Francis in the moment he turned away from a life of war and returned home to Assisi in humility.
With a little adjustment, I was able to bring that balance of light and shadow into the final image.
The first hints of sunrise brushed the Athens skyline, molten gold pressing against the lingering blues of night. From our perch on Philopappou Hill, the Acropolis stood quietly opposite, still flood-lit from the evening.
A small band of us had gathered in the hotel lobby before dawn and climbed the hill as blue hour faded. We’d been here the previous evening, taking in views all the way to the Aegean, but this time our gaze turned east toward Lycabettus Hill and the ancient structures of the Odeon and Parthenon.
Clouds hid the sun itself, yet their cover only intensified the drama: a brilliant band of color along the horizon while the flood-lit marble slipped from artificial glow into the warmth of daybreak. We read a psalm in near silence, offering thanks to God for a new morning, enjoying the sweep of color across the ancient stone and the city we explored over the previous few days.
As we neared the end of our Grand Tour, we squeezed in a one-night stopover in Siena. Coming from the towns of Orvieto and Assisi in Umbria, I felt a shift to Tuscan earth tones, tighter streets, and a city vibe that somehow still felt centuries old despite its size.
We only had time for a quick lap around Piazza del Campo and a peek at the striped façade of the Duomo di Siena before dusk. A round of Aperol spritzes on the Campo flowed into a hillside dinner with a sunset view over the Tuscan countryside - hard to beat for a first impression.
Back at Hotel Minerva, blue hour lingered. I propped the camera on the window ledge for a long exposure, letting the street-lamps paint starbursts across the rooftops while the city settled into a hush. Just below the frame sat the brick arch of Porta Ovile; farther upslope, the floodlit block I think is Palazzo Salimbeni glowed like a miniature fortress.
We noticed the contrada flags too. This neighborhood belongs to Lupa, the she-wolf. Our school borrows both colors and mascots from Siena’s contrade, so spotting those banners felt like finding familiar friends scattered through the alleyways. Even with only a handful of evening hours, wandering these streets, and watching them light up from the window, was pure magic.
Orvieto was already glowing when I settled onto a rampart of Fortezza Albornoz. A ridge of the Apennines held the sunrise for a few heartbeats, then light spilled over the range, bathing the fortress wall in gold and stirring the valley below to life. From this perch you can glimpse the city’s modern edge - highway, rail line, and the Paglia River - yet inside these ancient walls everything feels hushed and timeless.
The day before had been pure Umbrian pleasure: weaving through medieval lanes, studying classical art, lingering over a pizza lunch with a chilled glass of Orvieto Classico, then trading stories over local reds and a final splash of amaro with a growing circle of new friends.
Morning brought its own gentle ritual. We swung the hotel windows wide, letting bells and birdsong ride the cool breeze straight inside. I laced up for a jog but soon drifted into easy wandering. Historic facades, sculptures, and cliff-edge vistas blend art and nature into a single, seamless spectacle. It felt like a saturation point of beauty, the kind that overflows the senses and leaves room only to look up in quiet praise to the Lord.
Later we stepped into a thousand-year-old church perched on the opposite wall of the city - another moment of threefold splendor: art-filled interiors, distinctive architecture from an earlier age, and wide natural vistas of Umbrian countryside where stone cottages and cypress spires dotted the rolling green like a living postcard.
This photograph, one of many from my time there, tries to hold on to those layered moments: ancient stones, new friendships, and a sunrise that filled the soul.
This view is taken from Areopagus Hill, looking toward the Acropolis of Athens with the Parthenon, Propylaea, and Erechtheion all visible atop the ancient citadel. In the foreground, bright pink oleander blooms vibrantly from the rocky terrain—a striking contrast to the timeworn stone and sun-bleached marble above. From this vantage point, layers of history unfold: wild nature in the foreground, a sea of olive and cypress trees in the midground, and the enduring glory of classical architecture rising under the clear Athenian sky.
Early morning in Assisi, and the streets were nearly silent as I wandered through the sloped stone paths. The sunlight had just begun to rise over the city, casting a golden glow on the façade of the Basilica of Saint Francis and filling the promenade with long shadows and soft warmth. A few monks passed quietly by, adding to the peaceful sense of reverence in the air.
We had come through this same plaza the night before, when it was lit softly against the darkness—but this morning, it was the sunlight that made everything shine. It was a beautiful time for a quiet walk, for prayer, and for taking in the stillness before the city awoke. Later this day, we’d step inside the basilica itself to explore both the lower and upper churches, but for now, the outside scene was more than enough to stir awe.
I was especially drawn to this archway as I walked up the hilly street from our hotel. Through it, you could see the various architectural elements of the basilica stacked together: the façade, the bell tower, and the long arcade of the courtyard. It felt like a natural composition waiting to be captured, and the light made it all the more compelling.
Looking up from the bottom of the Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick’s Well) in Orvieto, Italy, the view becomes a mesmerizing spiral of stone and light. Built in the early 1500s by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger at the request of Pope Clement VII, the well was designed to secure a reliable water supply during times of siege, when the hilltop city served as a place of refuge. Its ingenious double-helix staircase allowed mules to descend and ascend without ever crossing paths, carrying water from the depths to the city above. The repeating arches and brick recesses create a hypnotic rhythm, drawing the eye upward toward the brilliant opening at the top.
Our group visited this well shortly after arriving in Orvieto and walking around the Fortezza, where we learned about the city’s geography and history. It was a fascinating descent, pausing at windows that looked across to friends spiraling down on the opposite staircase. At the bottom, a small bridge connected the two helixes, and I placed my camera flat at its center, pointing straight up to capture this view. The geometry of the tunnel and the rhythm of the windows formed an abstract composition driven by the ancient engineering.
After a week exploring Greece, we arrived in southern Italy and were met with this impressive set of ruins at Paestum. The Temple of Hera II, built around 460 BCE, is one of the best-preserved Doric temples still standing. Even after seeing the iconic structures in Athens, this one made an impact. There was something about its quiet strength and the way it has endured over time that made it especially memorable.
Before heading out to walk the site, a few of the students gave short presentations about the temple and its architecture. It added helpful context, especially knowing that this was part of the ancient Greek city of Poseidonia, long before it became the Roman Paestum. The temple was dedicated to Hera, and its thick fluted columns and symmetrical layout really spoke to the form and function of early Greek religious spaces.
One of the things I enjoyed most was being able to step into the aisles between the rows of columns. Getting up close made it all feel more tangible — the weathered stone, the massive scale, the sense of time carved into every surface.
I took a handful of photos from different angles, but at one point I got low at the end of an inner row and tilted the camera upward. The sun was just above the columns, and since I’m always drawn to a good sunburst, I stopped down the aperture to try and catch the light flaring above the stone. It’s not the most dramatic burst I’ve ever captured, and maybe a little more lens flare than I meant, but I was drawn to this perspective and the moment stuck with me.
Afterward, on the return flight, I watched Clash of the Titans (1981) on a recommendation and was surprised to spot this very temple in one of the scenes. It was surreal to recognize the place we had just visited being used as a backdrop for mythological gods and ancient battles.
Orvieto was one of those places that completely drew me in—quietly majestic, full of texture and depth at every turn. I started this morning before the city had really stirred, wandering past the fort and along the southwest walls near Porta Romana. The sun had just risen above the hills, casting a soft golden light across the valley. From this perch on the cliffs, I could see vineyards, olive groves, and scattered farmhouses all beginning to glow with warmth. The green of the countryside felt impossibly rich, especially contrasted with the jagged cliffs and ancient city walls carved from volcanic tuff—a word I briefly mistook for “tofu” thanks to a thick Italian accent, which gave us a good laugh.
The day before, we explored the incredible Duomo—one of the most stunning façades I’ve ever seen—and spent time just wandering the narrow streets and piazzas. Every meal felt like a banquet: fresh pasta and outstanding pizza, Umbrian wine, and cappuccinos that somehow made every café visit feel special, all shared with good company to add to the experience. But this quiet morning moment, standing on the edge of history and watching the light stretch across the land, was one I’ll always remember.
This panorama is a blend of two images, stitched together to capture both the dramatic cliffside of Orvieto and the peaceful expanse of the countryside below. I was out for a jog with just my 20mm pancake lens—light and minimal—but it turned out to be just right for the scene.
From August 24 to 26, Central Michigan University's Leadership Institute hosted Leadership Safari. Nearly 1,500 CMU students participated.
From August 24 to 26, Central Michigan University's Leadership Institute hosted Leadership Safari. Nearly 1,500 CMU students participated.
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
From August 24 to 26, Central Michigan University's Leadership Institute hosted Leadership Safari. Nearly 1,500 CMU students participated.
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
The Class of 2026 walked the halls of Ursuline for the first time as students during Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 18, 2022
From August 24 to 26, Central Michigan University's Leadership Institute hosted Leadership Safari. Nearly 1,500 CMU students participated.
Members of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026 proudly display their motto as they complete the final leg of a 12-mile road march signifying the successful completion of Cadet Basic Training. West Point, NY, August 08, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Kyle Osterhoudt, USMA)
“I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty,” the USMA Class of 2026 pledged at the end of their Reception Day. June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by Kyle Osterhoudt/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
“I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty,” the USMA Class of 2026 pledged at the end of their Reception Day. June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by Kyle Osterhoudt/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
“I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty,” the USMA Class of 2026 pledged at the end of their Reception Day. June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by Kyle Osterhoudt/USMA)
“I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty,” the USMA Class of 2026 pledged at the end of their Reception Day. June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by Kyle Osterhoudt/USMA)
Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2026, Reception Day on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2026, Reception Day on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
“I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty,” the USMA Class of 2026 pledged at the end of their Reception Day. June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by Kyle Osterhoudt/USMA)
Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2026, Reception Day on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2026, Reception Day on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
Members of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026, officially join the Corps of Cadets during the Acceptance Day parade on the Plain at West Point, New York, August 13, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
Members of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026, officially join the Corps of Cadets during the Acceptance Day parade on the Plain at West Point, New York, August 13, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
The Class of 2026 walked the halls of Ursuline for the first time as students during Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 18, 2022
The Class of 2026 walked the halls of Ursuline for the first time as students during Freshman Orientation on Thursday, August 18, 2022
General James C. McConville, 40th Chief of Staff, United States Army addresses the new cadets of the Class of 2026 during the 2022 Reception Day Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, New York on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2026, Reception Day on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by John Pellino/USMA)
Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2026, Reception Day on June 27, 2022. (U.S. Army Photo by Kyle Osterhoudt/USMA)