People of Italy
Photographing Strangers
So much fun to see and photograph the People of Italy!
Of course, there’s quite a lot to do in Italy…and, I might add, plenty to eat! But I was fascinated with the scenes with strangers. And it was quite easy to approach and photograph them while they were in the course of their daily activities.
Interesting scene above–a Venetian street musician along a canal, singing in the fog with a plaintive sound, in front of a man making bubbles along with a bundle of balloons. Certainly, too much going on in that scene for me to pass it by! Also, it looks kind of cinematic.
I really like this city scene in Florence. I felt as though this was almost timeless in its spirit. And the two of them framed against the typical street provided an interesting perspective. They were so wrapped up in themselves that I kept approaching for a closer image–and, they either didn’t notice or care.
I felt this image (above) was quite similar to the previous one. They were standing and having fun with their cell phone on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge over the Arno River in Florence, in front of the glaring early morning sun. I kept moving closer to frame them better and to try to shield my lens from the brightness. Again, they didn’t seem to mind or notice…and I was pretty close by the time I clicked the shutter, as you can see.
Look at the expression on this guy’s face! Full of emotion. I had a very wide angle lens on my camera, so I had to move close to get enough detail. It was a busy Piazza in Siena, and I was fortunate to capture this image while the rest of the people weren’t nearby. As a result, that helped focus on the touching scene with the couple in center stage, so to speak.
Ah…the Countess, Costanza Piccolomini d’Aragona. In her 1000 year old home. Charming, entertaining, and a talented Master Chef who gave us (er…Judy) cooking instruction. Fantastic food and lots of ideas! Furthermore, I really liked the low light in her home…it fit the historic atmosphere.
Carlo, the Mask Maker in Venice–of Atelier Marega. Another one of the fascinating People of Italy. I couldn’t resist this colorful scene of Carlo with the gorgeous light and artifacts. Masks are a big part of the traditions in Venice, going back hundreds of years. And Carlo Marega has been doing this his whole life. We needed a translator to understand his Venetian dialect. I was happy with the light and felt fortunate to capture his expression.
Some of you have seen these photos in my Instagram feed (sml_photo). Please do stop by there (click the hyperlink!) to take a look at more photos from Italy…and elsewhere!
Thanks for stopping by!
Stephen M. Levin
www.SML-Photos.com
Facebook – @stephenmlevinphotography
Twitter – @stephen_levin
Instagram – sml_photo
stephen@sml-photos.com
Great pictures—loved them. Showed lots of emotion
Thanks, Margo! Appreciated.
And, glad you see the emotion. I usually see it while I’m snapping the shutter and then wonder if I’ve captured the “moment.”
I love your images. They have a timeless quality to them. Very very nice!
Thanks much, Susan. I appreciate your stopping by to have a look!
These photos are so beautiful, interesting and, as always, framed to invite the viewer in. Thanks a lot for sharing the joy and loving moments of the people of Italy.
So sweet, Suzi!
I do love sharing these photos. It’s what I saw and then hope I am able to convey the feelings to the viewer.
What a warm and beautiful country. And, historic
These are such beautiful images! Is the mask maker a painting?
Haha! I can’t even draw a respectable stick person!
Thank you SO much, Carol. Happy that you like them.
Your images indicate a great experience of the culture and the people. Italians from our trips enjoy life so much more and do not appear stressed out. Your image “Love on the Street in Florence” is timeless. Beyond Superb abd Outstanding. Thanks for sharing.
Very kind of you, Stan. Thanks so much!
Yes…it does appear that they have a different way of life. Part of the fascination of traveling (and photography!) is to observe the varied cultures. It was a pleasure visiting Italy…gotta go back and see more!
Great images! Excellent street photography. Thank you for sharing this with us. Wants me to take my camera and fly to Italy tonight.
Thanks for your kind words, Jan. Really appreciated.
I want to go back, too!
Your work is so evocative and timeless, and if I didn’t know any better, would have assumed they were scenes from movies from another time and place.
Interesting, Jonathan! I kinda saw or felt the timelessness, too. Probably not an accident…surrounded by the old streets and building, and among the Italian people and culture. And, the preview screen on the back of my camera is programmed to display a monochrome image which also influences my perspective, I’d guess.
Thank much!
Love your photography and your choice of subjects. Truly makes me feel that I could be looking through the lens as well.
Thank you for sharing.
And, thank you, Jackie, for looking and commenting! Part of photography is, in my opinion, eliciting a response.
So glad that you enjoy the images (and subjects)! Fun for me to make them, too.
I enjoy how you focus (literally) on these people. It made me realize that most of my photoing is of landscape which then brings me to the question: Is it harder to shoot people rather than landscape in the way it may be harder to paint people as opposed to landscape?
Dave–in my opinion, ALL photography can be difficult…regardless of the subject. Especially today with the proliferation of cameras, software, and other available tools. Mastering those tools is, of course, important, but the major factor is and always has been one’s “eye” followed by timing.
And I’ve often said that “people photography” is as much about social skills as photography itself.
Thanks, Dave.
Your pictures are beautiful and always tell a story. I feel like I am in Italy with you and Judy. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks again, Debbie! Always appreciate your comments.
The story of each photo is definitely part of the experience for me. GLAD to share them.
Beautiful pictures. You really know how to capture people at the right moment! It is so cool to read about them too.
Thanks, Sherry…SO glad you like the photos and the stories that go with them. I enjoy them, too…and sharing them.
You know me…I’ll talk to and/or interact with anyone! And, having a camera ready helps. haha
Great picture. You really captured the emotions on their faces. I feel like I am there. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Susanne! I appreciate that you stopped by and commented.
Amazing…really. Wow! Also impressive stalking and not getting slapped by anyone!
Thanks, Jordan.
Actually, with the many photos I’ve taken of strangers over the years, I can only think of 5 or less where the subject said, “no” or otherwise objected. I always think that’s surprising…even amazing! However, that is partly due to the people I approach.
I usually engage the subjects by saying something, offering a smile (or some other friendly gesture), or otherwise becoming visible to them. I am always willing to show people their image on the back of the camera and/or offer to send them a copy of the photo.
IF one of those people in these photos had stopped me, I would have explained what I was doing and shown them how I treated them with respect to try to make a nice photo. And then I would have taken another photo of them looking at me or semi-posed.
Note that most of my “streetphotos” of people are taken at relatively close range with a 50mm or wider lens. I don’t recall ever using a telephoto lens for those kind of situations.
Fun…and challenging. I frequently tell people that if they’re generally shy about speaking to or approaching strangers, this type of photography is probably not for them!
Great set, Steve. Some have a very “painterly” feel which is unusual for street photography.
Thanks, Clive. Appreciated!
You’re right. That is, some are kinda different for “street photography.” I see that now.
You could create your own niche style that way. Try working over your old images.
OY! Another project… Haha
Stephen,
You capture a rare and magical combination of a subject’s feelings, AND the smells, tastes, touches and of course, sights of each environment. BRILLIANT!!!
Pam- So nice of you to drop by and leave a comment. Happy that my photos reach you that way! Thank you…
I love your choice of subjects!! The lightening is magical and gives each of the subjects a personality; one can almost suggest a dialogue for each one. The countess looks like a countess! The mask maker reminded me of a “Guippeto” from Pinnochio. Thank you, Stephen, for bringing me along on your trip.
Putchie
Such kind words! Thanks.
You made me smile…