DAVE DICELLO | PHOTO COURTESY DAVE DICELLO

Dave DiCello does some of his best work while the rest of us sleep — capturing lightning bolts illuminating the skyline well before dawn from his perch on Mount Washington is one of his specialties. Starting in 2006, DiCello has shot Pittsburgh’s portrait from dozens of locations, in all seasons and all kinds of weather and has developed a large and loyal following on social media. “Hearing people’s stories about memories that come back when they see images I share … there’s nothing better,” he says. Surprisingly, photography is not his day job; DiCello is a senior financial analyst for Thermo Fisher Scientific.

We wanted to know: What is Dave DiCello’s Best of the ’Burgh?

What’s your Pittsburgh “hidden gem,” a place that you love that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?

Lake Elizabeth and the West Park area on the North Side. “Whenever I post an image, especially in the fall or spring, people can’t believe it’s Pittsburgh. It’s like a little Central Park in the ’Burgh.”

If you could only eat one local meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Fiori’s. There are so many restaurants I love, but if I’m picking one food it’s that. And now I’m hungry.”

If Pittsburgh had a theme song, what would it be?

“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

What’s the annual tradition that you wait for every year?

“Taking the kids to a Pirates game. I have so many fond memories of going to games as a kid, and I love how excited they get for the pre-game activities and then sitting back with our gloves on and hoping for a home run to be hit in our lap.”

Favorite Pittsburgh appearance in a movie or on television?

“Sudden Death”

What’s your unpopular Pittsburgh opinion? What is something you think about the city (or a famous aspect of it) that won’t win you any friends?

“Fish fries are way overrated. Sorry.”

Where’s the first place you take out-of-town guests?

“Drive right through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and over to the North Shore. The view coming out of the tunnels is second to none, and hanging out by the rivers, with both stadiums and the skyline in full view … just amazing.”

If you could bring back one Pittsburgh place or restaurant that’s no longer there, which would you pick?

The old Manchester Bridge. “It connected the Point and the North Shore and had the most amazing facade … better even than the Smithfield Street Bridge.”

You get one Incline ride with any Pittsburgher, living or dead. Who is it?

Fred Rogers