Morning

I got up this morning at 5:30 and joined Brad Cantrell and John LaBombard on an early-morning photography walk into the historical center.  No matter how large or dense a city, around 5:30 a.m., there is almost no one around.  Piazza Navona, Piazza Rotonda around the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps, Ara Pacis, Ponte Sisto -- all completely empty, save for the lone dog walker or photographer-tourist with a similar goal.  The light was beautiful -- deep blacks and grays, punctuated by more yellows and oranges with each passing minute, until finally it turned bright white, just as the noise and traffic picked up.  The color and shadows will start to come out again eight hours from now.