It is always difficult to take pictures of iconic images. Such was the case of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy. A part of me said, “so many have already taken this picture and done it much more beautifully than I ever could, so what’s the point?” It would be better for me to buy a postcard taken by a master architectural photographer. Another part of me said, “I find people much more interesting to photograph than structures.” Don’t get me wrong, I am amazed by the artistry and grandeur of a place like St. Peter’s Basilica, but as a matter of personal taste I find it a great deal less interesting to photograph than the artistry of people.
On several occasions while I was in Rome, I would roam (hey Dad that one was for you) about the city at 5 in the morning and watch the city come to life. It was peaceful and I got to enjoy places like St. Peters without thousands of people walking all over the courtyard (which I also did). One morning while I waited for the morning sunlight to wake the Basilica I stopped to chat with these two nuns and made a picture of them in front of St. Peter’s church. It felt like my own picture rather than a poor copy (I took some of those too) of many great ones taken of this place by others.
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