Andrea Monti

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  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Seasons,  Sport,  Track&Field,  Winter

    How to (Unconventionally) Shoot Track and Field Competitions

    July 30, 2024 /

    Having been given a LOC pass for the European Athletics Championships currently taking place in Rome, I was able to practice unusual compositions in sports photography – Initially published on 35mmc.com Usually, the pictures taken by professional photographers working for media companies, broadcasters or magazines inevitably focus on the umpteenth iteration of the same actions (the concentration before the start, the relay change, the exertion after a fast or long run, etc.). Add to this the fact that the photographers are all in the same part of the venue, the results are very similar, at least in terms of perspective and field of view. This is an example: I don’t…

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    Andrea Monti

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    The Seagull And The Sentinel

    October 27, 2014

    In praise of ‘cheap’ lenses for ‘pro’ works

    April 4, 2021

    The Stare of a T800

    August 4, 2015
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Docks,  Rome,  Summer

    5 frames with a Voigtländer Bessa R2, a Nokton 35/1,4 and a roll of an expired Kodak Portra 160

    July 11, 2024 /

    Tevere, the river that divides Rome in two, is one of my favourite places. No matter how much chaos there is in the ‘high places’: walking along the banks of the river puts you in another dimension, where time has no meaning and the pace slows down – Initially published on 35mmc.com Anchored boats stand still, in stark contrast to the fast-moving streets, crowded with cars, bicycles, pedestrians and tourists who have returned in droves once the pandemic is over. This is obviously a mirror image, but it looks as if it has been projected onto a digital screen. And here is what was mirrored: There are a lot of…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Three of a Kind

    July 6, 2013

    Behind the Beer

    December 26, 2013

    Lightspeed

    August 6, 2015
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Daily Video,  Road Running,  Summer

    National Road Running Championships 2023 – Portraits

    June 28, 2024 /

    These portraits are taken from a reportage made at the 2023 National Road Running Championships. These sample images are a good example of one possible way of ‘seeing’ sporting action. In some cases, the portrait is completely isolated from the background, revealing a particular ‘moment’ experienced by the athlete, such as extreme physical exertion, rest and recovery after the race, or enjoyment of the location. In other cases, a single person is still at the centre of the image, but the surrounding environment completes and enhances the overall meaning of the photograph. The ability to superimpose different layers of meaning, and to adjust the camera and lens accordingly, is what…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Pillars

    January 29, 2015

    Interior Design at Aurum

    May 26, 2013

    Watch My Back

    January 15, 2013
  • Colour,  Daily photo

    5 Frames with a Praktica MTL5B, a Pentacon 50/1,8 and a Roll of Portra 400 (expired in 2011)

    June 20, 2024 /

    An afternoon of urban exploration looking for derelicted places gave me the chance to test a Praktica MTL 5b with its standard (pun intended) lens: the Pentacon 50/1,8, which I had never used before. To make things more complicated, I also took out from the basement a roll of Portra 400, expired in 2011. Net of the limitation of a (poorly maintained) roll more than 10 years old, the shooting experience was not that exciting. Loading the film proved to be more complicated (at least for me) than with my Pentax ME Super, Nikon F3 or Voigtlander Bessa R2A, and I lost the first three frames. Maybe more training will make…

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    Andrea Monti

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    An Old Motorcade

    August 10, 2015

    Lifeguard

    August 24, 2013

    Empty Spaces

    May 23, 2014
  • Autumn,  B&W,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Seasons,  Spring,  Summer,  Technique,  Winter

    Yet Another WDISF Post

    May 5, 2024 /

    Yes, this is another ‘why do I shoot film’ post, and no, the answers are not ‘because it slows me down’, ‘because it connects me to the act of taking pictures’, ‘because I love the unique feeling of analogue images’, ‘because the inherent limitations of a film camera inspire creativity’, ‘why not?’ or any of the other common (and perfectly legitimate) reasons usually associated with the question. In addition, the wide range of post-processing options available to make a digital image look like an analogue one, even in terms of film emulsion, satisfies the need to produce an image with the ‘personality’ of a specific film. So, even the idea…

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    Andrea Monti

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    One Shot Story: (Un)Available Coin Lockers at Shin Osaka Station

    December 22, 2024

    Pizza Maker@Ueno’s Park

    June 6, 2018

    Floating

    October 7, 2023
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Spring,  Technique

    How to Shoot Stand-up Paddle Competitions

    April 29, 2024 /

    Shooting Stand-Up paddle is complicated because, like in motor sports, things go on largely even until, all of a sudden action erupts. In other words, boredom is the first and foremost enemy of the photographer: it shuts down concentration because it is not possible to keep the focus (pun unintended) for too long. It may worth shooting a single athlete, for instance capturing an intense moment or a fall. However the final result will become more interesting if there is something (or somebody) else in the composition. The first key moment in an SUP challegne is the start. Once the signal is given, the athletes start running a few steps…

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    Andrea Monti

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    On Photography and Self-Delusion

    September 4, 2022

    Has street-photography a limit?

    December 19, 2012

    Arriba El Mexico!

    July 3, 2014
  • Artists,  Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Fighters,  Spring,  Summer,  Technique,  Winter

    Photography and the Importance of a Proper Training

    April 23, 2024 /

    In photography, among the various activities falling under the ‘preparation’ label, training is oftend underevaluated. Just as many newcomers to the world of guns think that buying expensive equipment will make them better shooters, many photographers think that mastering a bunch of exoteric camera settings will be enough to get decent pictures. This is summed up in a common piece of advice to novice shooters (of both guns and cameras): get out there and shoot. Results will just happen. I have nothing against a ‘Zen’ approach to things, based on instinct and intuition, but my Western, Benthamite mind does not allow me to forget that preparation is necessary to achieve…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Waiting for the goal

    April 28, 2013

    Under the Bridge

    November 6, 2013

    Antonio Onorato

    August 20, 2016
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Handball,  Sport,  Spring

    How to Shoot Handball Matches

    April 14, 2024 /

    Photographing handball matches presents an array of challenges, requiring a high level of expertise, quick reflexes and a deep understanding of the sport’s dynamics. Central to the art of capturing these fast-paced events is the fundamental principle that the ball is the focal point of every shot. Failing to capture the ball likely produces a picture lacking relevance and impact. The presence of the ball not only indicates the focal point of the action, but also gives the image a sense of purpose and narrative coherence. Handball’s court is a hive of activity where players are constantly jostling for position, trying to break through defensive barriers or thwart an advancing…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Fujifilm X-T3 Video Cheat Sheet

    September 5, 2021

    Fisherman’s Friend

    January 10, 2014

    Soldering

    November 8, 2021
  • Buildings,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Rome,  Spring

    A Hellish Look

    March 26, 2024 /

    It is quite common these days to see images of various kinds using the facade of a building as a screen. In the case of government or state buildings, a flag appears out of nowhere after dusk.The overall effect is quite spectacular, especially in Italy where the palaces of power are beautiful works of art. However, when photographed with a narrow field of view, the result can be disturbing, as in this case, where the building looks more like some sort of hell embassy.It wouldn’t be strange, though: doesn’t the Pope live on the other side of the Tevere River?

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    Andrea Monti

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    Belgian Gloves

    October 15, 2015

    Red Wine Makes Good Blood…

    April 27, 2014

    Mind The Step

    August 28, 2015
  • Actors,  Autumn,  B&W,  Bruxelles,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Fighters,  Fighting Disciplines,  Photography,  Spring,  Summer,  Winter

    What Does ‘Professional’ Mean in Photography?

    March 19, 2024 /

    Pro’ is the photographer’s blessing and curse. It is the status we all – well, many of us – aspire to. It is the marketing gimmick created by the exploiters of the Gear Acquisition Syndrome to make people believe that tools make the craftsman. ‘Amateur’, on the other hand, is a word associated with casual photographers, ‘wannabe’ artists, and people who want to make you believe that tools make the craftsman. I have always been unconvinced that such a difference exists, at least in the general meaning associated with the words ‘pro’ and ‘amateur’, and in relation to the idea that the equipment used or the quality of the shots…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Line Of Fire

    July 6, 2014

    The worst moment

    April 14, 2013

    The Godfather

    July 23, 2014
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Gear,  Photography,  Technique

    A few test shots with an MC Cosinon T200/4

    January 14, 2024 /

    This lens has several shortcomings. It has a pronounced coma and the focus barrel requires a considerable amount of turning to get it right, thus making it challenging to fast focus when you need to. Camera sensor clearly influences colours’ rendition. Despite the ‘personality’ of this lens, the overall picture’s feel is clearly (to me, at least) that of the classic ‘cold’, slightly bluish Pentax (or, should I say, Sony) sensor. At f4 (all the images published here were taken at this aperture), the bokeh is pleasant. Nothing exceptional, but for a lens that sells for around 15 euros, the results are good enough. That said, a core question, asked…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Caged?

    June 6, 2014

    Matching Nails

    September 18, 2017

    A Haunted(?) House

    September 19, 2014
  • Artists,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Winter

    Frank Gambale All Stars – Live@Teatro Marrucino

    November 22, 2023 /

    Rockol has just published a gallery with some of the photos I took at the Frank Gambale All Stars concert last 20 November.I’ve been a fan of Gambale’s for a long time and meeting him was a very nice experience: friend, easygoing, positive attitude despite the stress of the Italian tour: a great human being (and I can’t say the same about many of the ‘artists’ I’ve met in my career as a photographer and interpreter). On the technical side, the X-T4 and the lenses (Fujinon XF150-600 and an XF18-120) worked well. At ISO3200, the images have more than acceptable noise, which becomes almost invisible when the shadows are pushed.…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Generations

    February 5, 2013

    Nightlife in Bruxelles

    June 27, 2014

    Tell me something I do not know…!

    April 23, 2023
  • Autumn,  Cars&Bikes,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Photography,  Tokyo

    An experiment with Dall-E, ChatGPT and a Nissan S8

    November 4, 2023 /

    This is an experiment based on a picture of a Nissan S8 taken at the Nissan Crossing in Ginza.First, I asked Dall-E to describe what he ‘sees’. Then I started asking questions to locate the place where the showroom should be, being careful not to give any hints.ChatGPT did not give a correct answer on the first try, but eventually it did. Me: Describe this photo ChatGPT: This photo features a futuristic-looking race car displayed indoors, presumably within a showroom or an exhibition space. The car is designed with an aggressive aerodynamic shape, with large, protruding front winglets and an expansive rear wing, characteristic of high-speed, high-performance vehicles, possibly a…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Same Space, Different Worlds

    October 18, 2013

    Splinter

    March 13, 2021

    The Expired Film Series – Episode 6 – Kodak Portra 400 – November 2016 shot in Sept. 2023

    June 5, 2024
  • Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Docks

    Red Beam

    October 24, 2023 /

    The Viltrox XF 85 F1.8 II is a very capable lens. Here is a shot taken with a Fuji X-T4 in difficult lighting conditions.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Kime in photography

    June 9, 2013

    Where Did I Left My Car?

    April 2, 2015

    The Aperitif

    October 5, 2017
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Docks

    A Lighthouse

    October 11, 2023 /

    Another example of how the Viltrox XF 56/1.4 performs in very low light.To be honest, the Fuji X-T4’s X-Trans sensor played its part.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Horizontal

    March 14, 2015

    Daniele Silvestri – Teatri 2022 – Live@Teatro Massimo, Pescara

    December 16, 2022

    Italy, Landscape Photography and the Law – Part Two

    February 23, 2014
  • Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Docks

    Modern Moai?

    October 10, 2023 /

    Still pushing the Viltrox AF 56/1,4 XF on a Fuji X-T4.The limit has not been reached just yet.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Italian Stardust

    April 6, 2015

    Claws of Fire

    September 27, 2017

    And Justice For All

    May 15, 2015
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Gear

    The Kiev 60 and a fix for the frame spacing issue

    October 8, 2023 /

    There are several fixes for the Kiev 60‘s frame spacing problem, from taping the film spool to making it thicker to fine-tuning the film transport mechanism. However, while these solutions may work well, they are not guaranteed to work all the time.Master Adriano Lolli found the Columbus egg in one of his masterstrokes: he drilled a hole in the back of the camera in the exact position where the frame number appears and applied a red filter, just in case. In this way, after the first full exposure, the shutter could be cocked in tiny increments until the film number appeared in the hole. The only drawback of this solutions…

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    Andrea Monti

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    A Fence

    November 6, 2014

    Nico Cilli Band@Chiostro Comunale – Città S.Angelo

    September 9, 2013

    Out Of Focus, Once More

    October 6, 2014
  • Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Fighting Disciplines,  Sport

    Questioning the Referee

    October 8, 2023 /

    Sports photography is all about the moment. Freezing the moments of success – a win, a comeback or a try – as well as failure – a miss, a fall or an injury – is what usually attracts photographers’ attention. But there are many other stories to be told during a competition, and the complex relationship between coaches and referees is one of the most interesting – and overlooked. In this picture, taken during a national judo tournament, I captured the moment when a referee decided to stop talking to a complaining coach. Technical note: I took this picture with a Pentax K-3 II and a Pentax DA* 80-200/2.8. Maybe…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Falling Tree

    May 8, 2014

    Nightlife

    June 20, 2013

    Love is like a flower

    May 18, 2013
  • Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Docks

    Sailing Home

    October 4, 2023 /

    The quality of the Viltrox 56 1/4 XF never ceases to amaze me.This image was taken with an X-T4 at ISO1600, so the quality of the sensor plays a significant role in the overall result. However, as the lens is not supported in Affinity Photo 2, the image is wysiwyg in the sense that no profile-based corrections have been applied.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Under The Rocks

    August 14, 2014

    Editing a photo taken with a Carl Zeiss Jena 135/4 Sonnar and a Fuji X-T3

    February 8, 2023

    Creativity vs Originality

    March 11, 2024
  • Actors,  Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo

    Serva padrona @ Teatro Marrucino

    October 1, 2023 /

    LED banding is a major problem when using electronic shutters, and the Fuji X-T4 and X-T5 are no exception. In the specific conditions of this piece, I found that setting the shutter speed below 1/100s tamed the problem. However, there is one major drawback: the number of ruined shots increases. This is particularly true of the moments when the actors are waving their limbs or moving randomly. In this case, the slower parts of the body remain in focus, while the peripheral parts do not. Unfortunately, there is still no post-production technique that can eliminate this problem, which makes it difficult to achieve usable results. Of course, using a mechanical…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Purple Haze

    January 3, 2013

    The Flying Dutchman… a sort of

    March 19, 2017

    When Tilted Photos Work

    December 18, 2019
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Photography,  Sport,  Summer,  Track&Field

    On Composition. Or: the eye sees what the mind is prepared to comprehend

    September 11, 2023 /

    This shot, taken during the Italian Road Running National Championships, is a fair application of the French philosopher Henri Bergson aphorism to composition: the eye sees what the mind is prepared to comprehend. In fact, although there is not a direct, cause-and-effect relationship between this image and renaissance painting, the learned observer may find some connection with works such as, for instance, Michelangelo’s Battaglia di Cascina. The connection between present and past may be loose, but this does not affect the principle. When I framed the shot I something ‘clicked’ in my mind and I instinctively decided to press the button. Photography (at least in all its variations, such as…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Same Space, Different Worlds

    October 18, 2013

    All Mobiles But One Book

    June 24, 2017

    A Single(‘s) Call

    September 24, 2016
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Gear

    Fujifilm XF 18-120 just snapped in two

    September 10, 2023 /

    Everything breaks down eventually, but there are different kinds of breakdowns and different kinds of reasons for them.On the one hand, you cannot expect a product to be indestructible and you must take proper care to maintain its efficiency. As I said, it will break eventually, but probably not in an unexpected way.On the other hand, when you buy a ‘professional’ or simply an expensive product, you expect the overall quality of the build to match the price.Enter the Fuji XF 18-120. It costs around 900 Euros. Not a steep price compared to Leica, Zeiss or even Canon lenses, and far more expensive than Chinese brands such as Viltrox (which…

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    Andrea Monti

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    A Modern Nazca?

    December 4, 2014

    Pensive

    November 28, 2014

    Portrait of a Waiter

    July 22, 2013
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Daily Video,  Photography,  Summer

    The Expired Film Series – Episode 4 – Ferrania Solaris 100 – Dec. 2006 shot in August 2023

    September 3, 2023 /

    This is the fourth episode in a series documenting the use of expired film in various contexts. Episode 4 features a Ferrania Solaris 100 shot with a Voigtländer Vitoret DR and a Color Lanthar 50/2,8 in the vicinity of the sea of the city of Pescara (Abruzzi) .The film was overexposed by one stop as it is customary with expired film to allow more light to impress it.The results are just subpar, however the pictures have some sort of ‘individual’ trait.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Early Morning’s Cleanup

    July 21, 2013

    The Spanish Sense of Flesh – 2

    June 28, 2014

    Shadow On The Wall

    August 30, 2015
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Moon,  Summer

    Red Moon at the end of August

    September 1, 2023 /

    Shot handheld (no tripod) with an X-T5 and a Fuji XF 150-600. Image stabilisation worked very well.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Much Too Powerful a Knock…

    June 3, 2014

    Outside the Nobel Museum

    June 30, 2016

    Has street-photography a limit?

    December 19, 2012
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