Statua del Gigante

At the western end of Fegina beach, a soaring stone Neptune leans out from the rocks, pale against the cliff and the sky. Statua del Gigante was built in 1910 to crown a lavish seaside villa that war and storms have since swept away. Over the years Neptune has lost his arms, trident, and a leg to bombing and heavy seas. What stands now is half figure, half ruins looking out over the sand and sea. As you walk the length of Fegina Beach the sculpture slowly becomes a more imposing figure as you close the distance and experiment with shooting angles. The curve of the waterline acts as an amazing leading line to bring your eye to his rocky outcrop. At low tide you can walk right into the cove below him. From there his pale figure really stands against the rock. Clear shallow water pools at his feet, and the broken brick arch of the old villa still clings to the cliff beside him. If you come at first light or the end of the day you will find the best light as the low sun warms the stone and softens his battered edges. On a clear day he turns bright white against the rich blue sky. For a more unique straight on view you can take a spring or summer ferry and that allows you to shoot from the water. If you time you shooting adventure for sunrise, you'll beat most of the tourists and have him almost to yourself. (Monterosso al Mare, Liguria, Italy)