The Georgia Street Bridge, which crosses busy University Avenue between Park Boulevard and Florida Street, has become a key symbol and artery for residents because it links Hillcrest to North Park. Initially constructed in 1914 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

The Georgia Street Bridge, North Park, San Diego, California

Just Around the Yellow Corner...in Izamal, Mexico

Just Around the Yellow Corner..., a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Mexico has designated 83 towns and villages as Pueblos Magicos (Magical Towns) throughout the country. To achieve such a designation a town must demonstrate natural beauty, historical significance and cultural diversity.

70 km east of the beautiful colonial town of Merida in the Mexican state of Yucatan, is the enchanting “Magical Town” of Izamal, nicknamed La Ciudad Amarilla (the Yellow City) for the glowing yellow paint that covers the colonial buildings. Izamal is a beautiful place to experience the diversity of three cultures: Maya, Mexican and Spanish.

I spent an entire day walking around this colorful town with its mustard yellow colored walls, cobblestone streets and colonial lamp posts. Every corner I turned opened up to another street scene that felt more like a Hollywood movie set than an old colonial town.

You can also get around town by hiring a Victoria or Calesa (a horse-drawn carriage) which serves as taxis for both locals and tourists.

Or you can get around the old fashion way like this local woman with a bicycle.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Happy New Year...Now Let’s all Drive Off the Fiscal Cliff

Happy New Year...Now Let’s all Drive Off the Fiscal Cliff, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

I was going to write a 2012 end of the year blow out blog post, but before I knew it 2013 was already at my doorstep.

But 2012 didn’t end with a whimper.

Between Maya “end of the world” prophesies and America’s drive toward the economic “fiscal cliff” (for my friends in foreign countries and those not politically inclined the “fiscal cliff” refers to a combination of year-end spending cuts and tax increases that would have gone into effect had the U.S. Congress failed to act) 2012 ended on a dramatic note.

I spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the United States capitol city of Washington, D.C. visiting my sister. I took this photograph along Pennsylvania Avenue where at one end is the U.S. Capitol (as seen in the photo) and the other is the White House.

This was similar to another shot I took a couple of months ago that has become one of my best selling stock image best selling stock image

Putting the drama aside I wanted to wish everybody a Happy New Year and hope 2013 brings you great photographic opportunities.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Dreaming in Color in the City of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Dreaming in Color in the City of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

The city of San Miguel de Allende is a photographer’s dream. Maybe it has to do with the fact that it has nearly perfect weather year around, picturesque cobblestone streets, colonial architecture or the vivid, bold colors of its historic center.

If you get your news from the establishment media you no doubt have heard that Mexico is polluted, drug infested and the top destination for tourists to have their head separated from their shoulders.

San Miguel de Allende is a sea of calm amid the media hyperbole. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, San Miguel de Allende almost seems surreal. It has been said it is the Mexican Disneyland. The cobblestone streets are as pristine as walking down Main Street in Disneyland minus Mickey Mouse and screaming kids. Its beautiful church, the Parroquia, and perfectly manicured main plaza, El Jardin, will sooth your senses. For years visual artists have found the city as a haven for their creativity.

I originally planned just to stay in San Miguel de Allende for two days, but ended up staying for four. The warm hospitality of the locals, postcard views and striking light would not allow me to leave. During the day I would wander the crooked cobblestone streets taking in the city’s vibrant charm. Walking in the historic center was like taking a stroll into the past, perhaps it had to do with the fact that there are no traffic signals, fast food restaurants and parking meters.

The beauty of travel photography is that you never know what you will experience around every street corner. After spending a good portion of the morning wandering around the historic center, I came upon this intersection and immediately found the building colors and light spectacular. I was photographing for a couples of minutes varying my point of view and focal length, when I said to myself that all I need now is a local walking into the scene with a bright color shirt.

Be careful what you wish for in San Miguel de Allende because it will come true!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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