We are Steven and Linda, an American couple exploring Europe in our motorhome. Join us in our adventures!
A year of photography and film
Steven here, while Linda takes a well-earned break. We sometimes joke that the travel gods are looking down on us because, since getting on the road, we have been lucky to avoid things like bad weather, forest fires or any kind of natural event. Of course, we didn’t dodge the effects of the coronavirus but we certainly made the best of it.
After spending 3 months in lockdown just south of Paris, we were more than ready to get back on the road. What followed was a truly unique opportunity to visit major attractions with only a handful of tourists around. Aside from those who are already living in Europe, there are only a few Americans traveling as we do. It’s been quite a privilege to be here right now and a blast to record our experiences.
When I shoot, it is about so much more than taking a literal picture of a thing in front of me. I am driven by a need to capture the feeling and/or magic of a moment. There are photographs here that I wouldn’t regard as technically great but they embody something deeper and that’s ultimately what matters to me.
With that in mind, here are some of my favorite images and I’ll attempt to throw some light on how they came about.
This is just a sampling of all the things we’ve done and the photographs I have accumulated over the past year. It doesn’t even include Morocco, where we spent 6 weeks, pre-COVID.
Also this year, a photographer friend of mine began experimenting with a pinhole attached to his camera. Only he was shooting video, not stills. Being a filmmaker myself and always interested in experimenting, his work inspired me. Essentially I’m using a plastic body cap with a tiny hole in front of the camera instead of an actual lens so there’s no glass at all. The results yield a kind of Silent Era look. I began creating what became a series of short films documenting my thoughts about the pandemic coupled with imagery from some of the major cities we were visiting at the time. You can clearly see the scant amount of tourists about.
I’ll include a link below to No Ordinary World, the first of the series and, if you’re interested in seeing more, you can click on this link for a playlist.
So yeah, it’s been a strange year but we’ve certainly managed to make the best of it. In answer to Dirty Harry’s famous question “Do you feel lucky? Well, do you punk??” Yes, I do. Very much so.
Thank you! One must choose his/her own way of dealing with this crisis. You have awakened my eyes.
2chouters
Thank you, enjoy the new year.
Connie Farquhar
Spectacular Steven, thank you for sharing!
2chouters
Thanks Connie, always appreciate your comments.
Maggie Barrett
As I have said before, you two are great spirits. I love that you took the time to go through your images from this strange year and share your process with us. Joel. Btw, is impressed. We wish you both health and the continuing joy of discovery. With love. Maggie.
2chouters
Always lovely to hear from you Maggie. I have a lot of respect for Joel so it’s an honor that he was impressed. I hope you two are able to travel a bit more freely in this coming year. Only time will tell but I remain optimistic. Maybe we’ll even be able to come visit. Fingers crossed! Happy New Year.
Colibaba’s
As usual your photos are spectacular and I really enjoyed the description and feelings that each gave you. Happy New Year to you both and safe and healthy travels!
2chouters
Thank you so much. It’s equally fun and daunting to take on a blog post like this but I’m always happy to share it with everyone when I’m done. Happy New Year to you also.
What a treat!! Being where you were, when you were, is an exceptional gift. I’m so grateful you’ve shared it with me. When in beautiful, popular locations I spend a lot of time trying to capture a view without people in it so I can imagine the surreal joy of all these opportunities to see and feel beauty and history without others. I’m always inspired by your process narrative, wanting to grab the camera and head out the door to find my own frames. The nun in Prague is still a favorite, capturing a feel centuries in the making. That red barn though……makes me feel like I could step into it and smear the paint across the side of barn with my fingers. Thanks so much!!
Happy New Year to you and Linda. Love and miss you guys bunches :-))
2chouters
Thanks for your thoughts, Jodee. It’s nice to know that you are inspired! It was equally joyous and surreal in these amazing cities although, I’m not going to lie, it was also a little anxiety-inducing. In some places you could tell that people took the virus very seriously but then there were other cities, such as Prague and most of Switzerland, actually where you’d be hard-pressed to know there was a global pandemic going on. Still, I’m glad we did it and came out the other side with our health still intact. Happy New Year to you and Bill. One of these days, we will reunite.
Wonderful photos and the explanation makes it even better. What a life!
2chouters
Thanks Deb, it’s always worth the effort when I get feedback like yours. What a life, indeed. Happy new year!
Dolores Tanner
Words are not enough….
2chouters
For the purposes of your comment here, it’s enough 😆 Thank you and happy new year!
Denise
I have followed your blog since you were in Alaska and really enjoy reading about your travels. These pictures are absolutely beautiful!!
2chouters
Thank you Denise! Alaska feels like another life at this point. I’m glad you are enjoying our blog. Happy new year!
Richard & Emma
Happy New Year guys! Thank you for taking the time to share all these amazing images and stories with us, thoroughly enjoyed reading and viewing! I particularly like the windmill in the rain photograph – fabulous!
Wishing you a safe and healthy 2021. Take care.
2chouters
Thank you guys! I hope you also have a happy and healthy new year. Here’s to better times!
Carol Stafford
Every picture was breathtaking, I wanted to place a heart symbol next to each and every one of them! Wishing you both a Healthy & Happy 2021.
2chouters
Thank you Carol, that’s very kind of you. I hope you both have a great new year also!
Donna
The two of you live the most magical, blessed life! I love your write ups and pictures so much! Thank you for sharing your travels with us who can only dream of visiting these beautiful places.
2chouters
Thank you, Donna. We definitely feel very fortunate. I’m glad you are enjoying our posts.
Thank you! One must choose his/her own way of dealing with this crisis. You have awakened my eyes.
Thank you, enjoy the new year.
Spectacular Steven, thank you for sharing!
Thanks Connie, always appreciate your comments.
As I have said before, you two are great spirits. I love that you took the time to go through your images from this strange year and share your process with us. Joel. Btw, is impressed. We wish you both health and the continuing joy of discovery. With love. Maggie.
Always lovely to hear from you Maggie. I have a lot of respect for Joel so it’s an honor that he was impressed. I hope you two are able to travel a bit more freely in this coming year. Only time will tell but I remain optimistic. Maybe we’ll even be able to come visit. Fingers crossed! Happy New Year.
As usual your photos are spectacular and I really enjoyed the description and feelings that each gave you. Happy New Year to you both and safe and healthy travels!
Thank you so much. It’s equally fun and daunting to take on a blog post like this but I’m always happy to share it with everyone when I’m done. Happy New Year to you also.
What a treat!! Being where you were, when you were, is an exceptional gift. I’m so grateful you’ve shared it with me. When in beautiful, popular locations I spend a lot of time trying to capture a view without people in it so I can imagine the surreal joy of all these opportunities to see and feel beauty and history without others. I’m always inspired by your process narrative, wanting to grab the camera and head out the door to find my own frames. The nun in Prague is still a favorite, capturing a feel centuries in the making. That red barn though……makes me feel like I could step into it and smear the paint across the side of barn with my fingers. Thanks so much!!
Happy New Year to you and Linda. Love and miss you guys bunches :-))
Thanks for your thoughts, Jodee. It’s nice to know that you are inspired! It was equally joyous and surreal in these amazing cities although, I’m not going to lie, it was also a little anxiety-inducing. In some places you could tell that people took the virus very seriously but then there were other cities, such as Prague and most of Switzerland, actually where you’d be hard-pressed to know there was a global pandemic going on. Still, I’m glad we did it and came out the other side with our health still intact. Happy New Year to you and Bill. One of these days, we will reunite.
Wonderful photos and the explanation makes it even better. What a life!
Thanks Deb, it’s always worth the effort when I get feedback like yours. What a life, indeed. Happy new year!
Words are not enough….
For the purposes of your comment here, it’s enough 😆 Thank you and happy new year!
I have followed your blog since you were in Alaska and really enjoy reading about your travels. These pictures are absolutely beautiful!!
Thank you Denise! Alaska feels like another life at this point. I’m glad you are enjoying our blog. Happy new year!
Happy New Year guys! Thank you for taking the time to share all these amazing images and stories with us, thoroughly enjoyed reading and viewing! I particularly like the windmill in the rain photograph – fabulous!
Wishing you a safe and healthy 2021. Take care.
Thank you guys! I hope you also have a happy and healthy new year. Here’s to better times!
Every picture was breathtaking, I wanted to place a heart symbol next to each and every one of them! Wishing you both a Healthy & Happy 2021.
Thank you Carol, that’s very kind of you. I hope you both have a great new year also!
The two of you live the most magical, blessed life! I love your write ups and pictures so much! Thank you for sharing your travels with us who can only dream of visiting these beautiful places.
Thank you, Donna. We definitely feel very fortunate. I’m glad you are enjoying our posts.
Truly the most beautiful photographs I’ve seen….they look like paintings all of them.
What a lovely compliment. Thank you so much, Rita and thank you for following our adventures.