There is something timeless about the rolling hills of Val d’Orcia. I have seen countless images of this landscape, but standing there in the soft morning light, it felt entirely new.
This morning was calm, the sky painted in gentle hues of pink and blue, stretching over the undulating fields. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and olive trees. As the first light touched the land, a warm glow appeared from the Belvedere farmhouse nestled among the cypress trees. It was a small but striking detail—an invitation to imagine the quiet life inside, waking to this breathtaking view every day.
Framing the composition, I wanted to capture the layers of the Tuscan countryside—the plowed fields in the foreground, the textured olive groves, the dark silhouettes of cypress trees, and the distant outline of Pienza on the horizon. The landscape felt like a perfect blend of nature and history, shaped by time and tradition.
What I love about photographing Tuscany is its ever-changing character. The same scene looks entirely different in the misty embrace of dawn, under the golden afternoon sun, or shrouded in evening shadows. But this moment, just before the sun fully rose, had a special quietness to it.
I took my time, letting the stillness settle in before capturing the image. No rush—just a deep appreciation for one of the most beautiful places I have ever photographed.
