How beautiful is sunset, when the glow of Heaven descends upon a land like thee, Thou Paradise of exiles, Italy!
Percy Bysshe Shelley
The light is special in Italy, and not only at sunset. One of the joys of the country for me is the warmth in the colours of the buildings. When I think of Italy I think of ochres, terracottas and umbers.
So it may seem strange to photograph Italian scenes in black and white. But I do find that there are always some images that either work better in monochrome or work equally well in both media. For this week’s theme-free Monochrome Madness, therefore, I’m continuing my tradition of sharing a few images from a recent trip.
As always when I travel, I shot all these photos in colour, but I was already aware that some would probably work better in black and white. In other cases, I realised only later when editing and processing that it would be worth experimenting with monochrome versions. You may already have seen some of them in colour in my recent Taormina post, by the way. That’s where my feature photo was taken.
At the Baroque fountain in the Piazza Duomo, Taormina
A view from the Greek Theatre, Taormina
An abandoned house near the Villa Laura, our lovely B&B in Giardini Naxos
Another abandoned building, this time a barn, near the Villa Laura
A typical back street in Randazzo
The Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Randazzo
On the steps of the Chiesa di San Nicolò, Randazzo
Elderly resident in Randazzo
The Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi all’Immacolata, Noto
Harsh shadows in Noto
In the Piazza San Francesco d’Assisi all’Immacolata, Noto
On the steps of the Chiesa del Collegio dei Gesuiti, Ortigia, Syracuse
Detail, Cattedrale Metropolitana della Natività di Maria Santissima, Ortigia, Syracuse
In the Cattedrale Metropolitana della Natività di Maria Santissima, Ortigia, Syracuse
At our B&B, La Saline, near Syracuse
I last visited Sicily in May 2025, when all these photos were taken
35 Comments
Annie Berger
Nice to see photos in B&W that I remember from previous posts – I certainly view them in a different ‘light,’ so to speak.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Annie 😀 Yes, you’ll have seen the colour versions of some of these already, and more to follow – e.g. Randazzo today!
grandmisadventures
Beautiful pictures- I really love the one looking out from the theater
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Meg 😊 I think ancient ruins often suit monochrome treatment.
restlessjo
They’re a fine collective, Sarah. That guy with the hat was giving you a very knowing look! My favourite is the little boy at the fountain- such a lovely capture xx
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jo 🙂 I’m not convinced the guy in the hat could see me actually, given all the people between us plus a fountain! But I agree he looks as if he might just have spotted my camera 😀
Heyjude
The ones I prefer are the fountain and the elderly gentleman. Nice contrasts.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jude 🙂 Contrasts with each other? I see what you mean!
wetanddustyroads
As I have mentioned before, it is the detail in B&W that always stands out the most … like that beautiful back street in Randazzo – great photo.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m planning a post on Randazzo for next week so you’ll be able to see the colour version of that shot and compare them 🙂
Rose
The black and white really add a depth forlornness to the abandoned house. And a sense of awe and prominence to the Basilica.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Rose 😊 I’ve often observed that black and white causes different elements in a photo to stand out compared to those you notice most in a colour version of the same shot!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
many images that tell a story. My favorite is Elderly resident in Randazzo
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ritva 🙂 That man later spoke with us (not knowing that at least two of us had taken his photo!) but unfortunately we couldn’t understand his Italian. I do speak a few words but his dialect was strong I think!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
😀
Leanne Cole
These look amazing in monochrome Sarah, especially the architecture.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Leanne 🙂
Natalie
Beautiful B&W collection, Sarah. Thank you for taking me back to Sicily.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Natalie 😊 I’m glad you enjoyed revisiting Sicily!
bushboy
A wonderful selection of life and places Sarah. I like the Basilica, light with shadows and the man with the hat looking at you
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Brian 🙂 The man with the hat was a sneaky shot across a piazza as we sat enjoying drinks and wonderful pastries!
kzmcb
Oh wow, yes, you’ve chosen well. I was glad to see a couple from your last post, that were in colour, so I can compare the effect.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much 😊 You’ll probably see most if not all of the others in colour in due course as I work through the various places we visited in more detail!
Paul
Well done as usual Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much Paul 😊
Amy
These are incredibly beautiful in b/w! Excellent captures, Sarah!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Amy 😊
Monkey's Tale
These are all very nice in B&W. I love the narrow street with the lantern up high, and the little old man with a cane. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Maggie 🙂 We all really liked Randozza – I’ll do a full post about it soon!
Sue
These were definitely very successful in black-and-white. For mono chrome, it’s all about the light!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Sue 🙂 Yes, the light and also textures I feel.
Sue
Yes, indeed
margaret21
Who’d have thought Sicily would work so well in b/w? You’ve chosen your subjects well.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret 🙂 I did have to be quite selective as most of the photos I took there definitely work best in colour!
margaret21
The girl done good.