Photo Essay – The Blue Hour

Ivana and Gianni are a Slovakian and Italian couple who have been traveling around the world since 2012. They blog at NomadIsBeautiful.com I met them in Athens last October and asked them if they would be willing to do a guest photo essay for my site. They agreed and quickly got me the photos. However, because of my travel schedule, new blog launch, and sheer forgetfulness, I didn’t get around to post it until now.

The subject they chose for their photo essay was “The Blue Hour”. That time of the evening just after sunset where the sky has a blueish tint, but the isn’t totally black yet.

In addition to their website, you can also view their photography on Instagram.


Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai, Thailand

An impressive temple in the old city of Chiang Mai. Although it’s ruined, it’s an active place of worship and “monk chats” run by Buddhist monks.


Orkney Islands, Scotland
Orkney Islands, Scotland

I was amazed by the colours of the dawn while leaving the Orkney Islands with a ferry.


Matera, Italy
Matera, Italy

One of the most charming cities in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The uniqueness of the city lies in ancient cave dwellings, a lot of which are inhabited today.


Lecce Cathedral, Italy
Lecce Cathedral, Italy

Baroque art is spread all through the city of Lecce and this cathedral is a perfect example of historical sites that you can find while visiting the “heel of the boot” in Italy.


Athens, Greece
Athens, Greece

One of my favorite perspectives when taking pictures is a bird’s-eye view. This is taken from the top of the Mount Lycabettus as the night lights started to shine.


The Port of Reykjavik, Iceland
The Port of Reykjavik, Iceland

The great thing about Iceland is that if you go there in the right season, you can catch an amazing light also at 3.35 am. This photo was taken in June and I can still remember the magic feeling while walking along the empty and silent port.


Udon Thani, Thailand
Udon Thani, Thailand

Even in the most remote and “forgotten” places you can find an inspiration. This photo was taken in a city of northeast Thailand during the celebration of Chinese New Year.


Culasi Island, Philippines
Culasi Island, Philippines

I was sitting in a pizzeria waiting for a storm to pass, when suddenly the puddles on the street turned red. This is the view you could see a few minutes after the rain stopped.


Assisi, Italy
Assisi, Italy

Having an early morning stroll can bring you this kind of views.


The Sopot Pier, Poland
The Sopot Pier, Poland

Compared to other photos from the series, this photograph was taken in freezing weather in Poland. It was January and the temperature dropped down a lot for my standards.


Pandan, Philippines
Pandan, Philippines

Fishermen of all generations getting ready for the night catching in a small town in the Antique province.


The Church of Madonna del Carmine, Melpignano, Italy
The Church of Madonna del Carmine, Melpignano, Italy

This might look like a common church, but in reality it’s the base for “La Notte della Taranta”, one of the Italy’s biggest folk music festivals or also a small football playground, as I could witness last summer.


Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand

I went to take some pictures of the main sites in Bangkok for the “blue hour”, but this tuk-tuk driver and his “disco” lights fit perfectly into the colorful scene of the city, too.


Lviv, Ukraine
Lviv, Ukraine

You can get a stunning view of this beautiful historical town in western Ukraine if you climb the highest point called “Vysokyy Zamok” (The High Castle” in Ukrainian).


Stromness, Orkney Islands
Stromness, Orkney Islands

The main square with the only hotel and the only pub in town.


Udon Thani, Thailand
Udon Thani, Thailand

A gazebo Chinese shrine near the central park in Udon Thani, often visited by runners and people who have a walk near the river.


Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand

An Extraordinary event in Chiang Mai that happens every year: International Alms Offering to 10,000 Buddhist monks. The whole street behind the old town is covered by orange robes and people who come to attend this special ceremony.


The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey

The majestic sight of the largest city in Turkey, known also as the “Blue Mosque”.


Jemaa el-Fnaa square, Marrakesh, Morocco
Jemaa el-Fnaa square, Marrakesh, Morocco

When it comes to interacting with locals while traveling, markets and street food stalls are the best places where to start from. This photo was taken during a loud evening where the smell and the smoke of the food mingled with vendors shouting out their menu and prices in different languages.


Otranto, Puglia, Italy
Otranto, Puglia, Italy

The main square of the city near the sea just calmed down after a hot day.

4 thoughts on “Photo Essay – The Blue Hour”

  1. Beautiful photographs. I love the blue hour, particularly as I’m not good at carrying a tripod so the blue hour is my best hope of getting nighttime shots that aren’t too blurred! ;-)

  2. Great work, Gianni and Ivana! Especially love the shot from Istanbul. Hope you are well. :)
    Steven and Jessica

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