Authentic Black and White Street Portraits of Europe

Memories in Monochrome

In recent years, I have traveled across Europe . While most of these travels were personal, there were also many work-related trips, which I always tried to complement with a day or two of leisure.

Since I always travel light, I only take a small compact camera with me, which has served me for 9 years. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III has proven to be a faithful and indestructible companion.

Recently, I started looking back at the street photographs I took during these travels in various European cities. I was surprised to realize how many still images I captured.

From these, I have selected 8 photos which I will share in chronological order along with some commentary.

Chio (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain)

Chio is a mountain village situated in a fascinating landscape, at the foothill of Mount Teide in Tenerife.

I spent a week there with one of my best friends in February, enjoying the sunshine and good weather. We ended up in the village of Chio because my friend’s brother was assembling racing wheels at a local shop. I didn’t even know that in recent years Tenerife has become the most popular destination for top professional cyclists for winter training. There are many specialized racing bike rental and repair shops on the island, including in the village of Chio.

The narrow streets and distinctive houses of the village immediately caught my attention. I was particularly fond of the road sign and the arrows on the pavement.

Arcachon (France)

It is a popular seaside resort on the Atlantic coast, 55 kilometers (34 mi) southwest of Bordeaux, in the Landes forest. It has a sandy beach and a mild climate said to be favorable for invalids suffering from pulmonary complaints.

A dear friend of mine worked in the village of La Réole at a parachute base as a parachute packer. I didn’t even know such a job existed. When I visited, we decided to spend a few days in Arcachon as well, where a famous sand formation, the dune, can be found.

The photo was taken from a lookout point in the resort town. It offered a great perspective of the city’s promenade, with the sea and the Cap Ferret peninsula in the background.

Cannes (France)

Cannes, a resort town on the French Riviera, is famed for its international film festival. Its Boulevard de la Croisette, curving along the coast, is lined with sandy beaches, upmarket boutiques, and palatial hotels.

I spent four wonderful days on the French Riviera before a multi-day business trip. It was a fantastic experience, and I recommend everyone to spend a few days in this incredible place at least once.

The photo was taken from the Boulevard de la Croisette, with the 5-star Hotel Martinez visible across the street.

Tallinn (Estonia)

Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, is the country’s cultural hub. It retains its walled, cobblestoned Old Town, home to cafes and shops.

I led a multi-year IT project in Tallinn, so I visited this Northern European capital several times a year.

Every evening, after hard workdays, I walked around the city’s Old Town, whose architecture is breathtaking.

In the background, you can see St. Olaf’s Church. It was built in the 13th century, whose tower, rising to 124 meters, could claim the title of the world’s tallest building in the 16th century.

London (United Kingdom)

London needs no introduction. Everyone is familiar with this world city.

I studied here in the 1990s. Then I visited this city several times, almost every year, for various training sessions and professional courses.

This photo was taken the day after one such training session. The City is almost empty on late Sunday afternoons. So, this shot showcasing modern architecture reflects the weekend atmosphere of an otherwise bustling city center.

Mellieħa (Malta)

My wife and I recently spent a few pleasant days in Malta.

While exploring the island, we visited Mellieħa. Mellieħa is a large village in the Northern Region of Malta. It has a population of around 10,000. Mellieħa is also a tourist resort, popular for its sandy beaches, and natural environment.

The photo tries to showcase the hilly location of the town and its local architecture.

Vienna (Austria)

According to The Economist survey, Vienna is the world’s most livable city — based on a 100-point index, the Austrian capital scored 99.1 points. The top of the ranking is dominated by European, North American, Australian, and Japanese metropolises. After Vienna, Copenhagen, Zurich, Calgary, and Vancouver are the top five.

I regularly visit a friend in Vienna, at least twice a year.

His hospitality and knowledge of the city are simply amazing; he can always show something new from Vienna on every occasion.

It’s no coincidence that they chose it as the world’s most livable city.

The photo was taken on the Kärntner Ring during Friday’s sunset, which forms a ring road in the first district of the city center.

Bratislava (Slovakia)

With my wife, we had a two-day exploration of Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital. It was a memorable experience filled with historical wonders, architectural marvels, and culinary adventures. The city’s treasures were unaffected by January’s chilly weather, and we returned home with cherished memories and a fresh appreciation for this Danube gem.

The photo shows a great example of street art found in several places in the city.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

If you enjoyed my photo journey, you may take a look at my travel article on Bratislava, which is sure to captivate you with its similar tone and photos.

Hello, I’m Jozsef Kovacs. I’m writing about leadership, project management and traveling. Click here if you would like to be notified when I publish.