VATICAN CITY. (June 2008). Gracing one of the walls in the Stanza della segnatura (Signature Room), the School of Athens by Raphael is one of the truly magnificent frescoes within the Vatican Museums. The picture's distorted perspective is due to the tilted angle of my camera when taking the shot. The photo also provides an example of what the Olympus E-410 (and its Panasonic four-thirds sensor) can do at high ISO when properly exposed. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm lens at 17mm (34mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, single autofocus, manual exposure, matrix metering, 1/50s f3.8, ISO 1600, 3597 x 2697 pixels (after crop), RAW.

ROME, ITALY. (June 2008). Ciao, Bella ... Connie at the Colosseum, with the ruins of Palatine Hill in the background. Picture for sale as prints, cards and wall art. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm lens at 14mm (28mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, single autofocus, manual exposure, matrix metering, 1/60s f8, ISO 100, 2470 x 3293 pixels (after crop), RAW.

MUNICH, GERMANY. (March 2008). The interior of the Flughafen München (Munich Airport) features clean lines and efficient use of space. Version of picture available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm lens at 14mm (28mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, single autofocus, manual exposure, matrix metering, 1/100s f4.5, ISO 200, 3591 x 2693 pixels (after crop), RAW.

VENTIMIGLIA, ITALY. (February 2008). Market oranges always taste better. Picture available for sale as prints and stock. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, OM Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.8 lens (100 mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, manual focus and exposure, matrix metering, 1/50s f2.8, ISO 200, 3648 x 2736 pixels, RAW.

MARSAXLOKK, MALTA. (March 2008). Brightly-coloured, photogenic luzzu - traditional Maltese fishing vessels - dot the shimmering harbour of Marsaxlokk in Malta's southeast corner. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm lens at 30mm (60mm, 35mm equivalent), Hoya 58mm circular polarizing filter, handheld, single autofocus, manual exposure, matrix metering, 1/500s f8, ISO 200, 3519 x 2639 pixels (after crop), RAW.

PORT HERCULE, MONACO. (February 2008). A nighttime view of Monaco's primary port and the La Condamine skyline. Picture available for sale as prints and stock. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm lens at 14mm (28mm, 35mm equivalent), Manfrotto Tundra NGTT1 tripod, wireless remote control, manual focus and exposure via LiveView, matrix metering, 4s f8, ISO 100, 3648 x 2401 pixels (after crop), RAW.

NAMBUNG NATIONAL PARK, AUSTRALIA. (June 2000). Truth be told, eight years ago, I didn't like to take pictures very much. In fact, I went all the way to Australia without a camera. However, after considerable peer pressure (thanks Robyn, Cathrin), I buckled and bought the cheapest focus-free Kodak I could find. In spite of my feelings about photography at the time, I was sure glad I had the little Kodak with me when I visited the Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park in Western Australia. Original photo properties: Kodak Advantix F300 APS camera, built-in 33mm Ektanar lens (50mm, 35mm equivalent), 1/100s f6.6 (fixed shutter and aperture), Kodak Advantix APS ISO 100 film.

FLÅM, NORWAY. (October 2007). The water is like glass at the innermost reaches of the Aurlandsfjord, one of the many arms of the mighty Sognefjord. Picture available for sale as prints and stock. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm lens at 14mm (28mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, single autofocus, aperture priority, matrix metering, 1/640s f3.5, ISO 100, 3648 x 2736 pixels, RAW.

LUND, SWEDEN. (March 2008). Spring has sprung in southern Sweden. Picture available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm lens at 150mm (300mm, 35mm equivalent), handheld, single autofocus, manual exposure, matrix metering, 1/125s f5.6, ISO 100, 2028 x 1590 pixels (after crop), RAW.

COMINO, MALTA. (March 2008). The rocky, craggy shoreline of Malta's Comino Island encircles the postcard-perfect, turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon. Picture available for sale as prints. Original photo properties: Olympus E-410 dSLR, Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm lens at 14mm (28mm, 35mm equivalent), Hoya 58mm circular polarizing filter, handheld, single autofocus, manual exposure, matrix metering, 1/160s f8, ISO 200, 3565 x 2674 pixels (after crop), RAW.