Andrea Monti

Photographer

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  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Fighting Disciplines,  Sport,  Summer

    Shooting Sanda (Chinese Kickboxing) Bouts

    June 26, 2025 /

    These photographs were taken during the 2025 Italian Sanda Championships as part of the sports photography course that I teach at the University of Chieti-Pescara in Italy. Initially published by 35mmc.com How the game works Sanda is a Chinese martial art belonging to the kickboxing family. As in kickboxing, fighters trade punches and kicks, but unlike in Thai boxing, they are not allowed to use their elbows or knees. A limited number of throws are permitted, including leg sweeps, reaps and souplexes. Each bout consists of three rounds, and winning two of them is sufficient for victory. However, this is easier said than done: the action is fast-paced, the fighters…

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    Andrea Monti

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    A Master Luthier in his lab…

    May 14, 2013

    Abruzzo’s made Coke??

    March 26, 2013

    A manual-focus atteimpt on a moving target

    July 26, 2013
  • Beach Volley,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Summer

    Shooting an Outdoor Volleyball Match

    June 19, 2025 /

    The 2025 IVVA European Veteran Volleyball Championship took place in my hometown of Pescara last May, so I took the opportunity to get the students on the sports photography course I teach at Chieti-Pescara University to practise. Here are some random thoughts about lessons learned. Initially published by 35mmc.com Focal length One of the main challenges of shooting sports such as soccer, basketball and —of course— volleyball, is the choice of the focal length. The IVVA Organising Committee granted us permission to stay in close proximity to the courts. This allowed the use of a 35mm —or so— lens to take ‘scenes’ documenting the whole dynamics of a ‘moment’. In this case,…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Deserved Rest

    March 21, 2021

    Fujifilm XF 18-120 just snapped in two

    September 10, 2023

    An unusual flowers’ field

    June 30, 2013
  • Artists,  Colour,  Daily photo,  PhotoCritics,  Photography,  Portraits,  Summer

    On Tips’n Tricks to ‘take you photos to the next level’

    May 29, 2025 /

    I recently asked a friend, who works on the editorial side of the music industry, to share his thoughts on one of my photographs taken during a flamenco concert. His response was a deep and thorough analysis, which I will spare the readers in full. In brief, however, he praised the lighting as particularly effective for flamenco photography, noting how the chiaroscuro effect recalls the classical paintings of Caravaggio. Regarding the composition, he observed that the bailaora’s body fills the frame dynamically, without ever feeling cramped. In his conclusion, he remarked that the image captures the very soul of flamenco. As flattering as this commentary was, I must admit that none…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Street-Photographer’s eye side effect

    April 8, 2014

    An Antique Shop in via Cadorna

    December 10, 2023

    Do Not Touch

    June 5, 2013
  • Boston,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Parks,  Summer

    Selling Italian Ice in Boston

    March 11, 2025 /

    Sales culture is one of the most distinctive traits of American anthropology. The foundations of modern marketing strategies date back to forerunners such as P.T. Barnum’s ‘have a little something for everybody’ slogan and Edward Bernays, the father of public relations. It is ingrained in popular culture phenomena such as garage sales, lemonade stands ran by kids and jokes about used cars salesmen.  Sales culture is also paired with customer (not consumer) culture, as in the ubiquitous mantra ‘customer is king’, which ‘shapes’ people’s attitudes in terms of demanding fairness and a proper ‘bang for the bucks’. – Initially published on 35mmc.com When it comes to selling, creativity knows no…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Three Sprouts

    May 22, 2022

    Walking in the rain…

    March 9, 2013

    Even

    July 9, 2016
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  People,  Seasons,  Skating,  Sport,  Summer

    Portraits in Skating

    November 30, 2024 /

    In sports photography, portraits are as important as snapshots of crucial moments such as a win, a loss or an unpredictable event, for they are an excellent way to capture the humanity of the athletes, often and mistakenly seen – especially in high-level competitons and before the start – as soulless cyborgs. Initially published on 35mmc.com The very first moments after the game is over are a gold mine. Athletes are still full of adrenaline and eager to discuss their performance with their teammates. Before they shower, before they change into normal clothes, before they return to ordinary life their focus is on what went right or wrong. And when…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Tell me something I do not know…!

    April 23, 2023

    A Fisherman

    August 29, 2014

    Shin Pepper@Harajuku

    June 4, 2018
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Roller Derby,  Summer

    Shooting a Roller Derby Bout

    November 19, 2024 /

    Of all the disciplines at the 2024 World Skate Games, which took place in Italy last September, roller derby is probably one of the lesser known, but also one of the most difficult to photograph. A contact sport, roller derby takes place in a very small space, in a very short time and at a very high speed. Once combined together, these three factors give the photographer a pretty hard time Initially published on 35mmc.com. Having been given a full access media pass to all the venues and the court, I was able to stay in a privileged position to take the shots. However, although in the past I have taken pictures of high…

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    Andrea Monti

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    The Actor’s Nightmare

    August 3, 2013

    Behind the Beer

    December 26, 2013

    Pixelmator Pro Debanding and Electronic Shutter

    December 24, 2022
  • Artists,  B&W,  Daily photo,  Summer

    The Stupidity of Being Stubborn

    August 31, 2024 /

    I knew exactly that I was going to fail, but I did it anyway, irrationally thinking that for some not well clear reason the law of physics and optics could be defied by the sacred mission of the photographer. Thus, contrary to basic common sense, a few weeks ago I brought a Nikon 35TI loaded with a Ferrania P33 (ISO160) to a jazz manouche concert of the Tchavolo Schmitt trio at the French Embassy in Rome. The outcomes, as it was easy to predict, were just (euphemistically) poor – Initially published on 335mmc.com Let’s start with a test shot to ascertain if there was some issue with the hardware: Apart…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Turiddu repeals Santuzza

    November 19, 2022

    Careful With That Bike, Eugene!

    July 29, 2013

    5 (random) frames of Bruxelles with a MIR-1B, a Pentax ME Super and a Kodak TMax400

    March 19, 2025
  • B&W,  Daily photo,  Fighting Disciplines,  Parks,  Past&Relics,  People,  Summer

    Shooting Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)-like Events

    August 15, 2024 /

    Historical reenactments are everywhere, and the volunteers who keep alive the memory of our past deserve our highest praise. Along with pure re-enactments, where the fate of the participants is already predetermined by history, and HEMA, where athletes compete using European weaponry and armour, there is a middle-ground discipline that is gaining momentum in Italy: Sport Reenactment – Initially published by 35mmc.com In short, SR players take part in reenactment events wearing faithful replica of the coats and arms of ancient Italian, Greek, Celtic and German tribes. But they also meet in forests and mountains to fight following a ruleset but without knowing in advance who is going to win. The…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Toxic Waste in Open Air

    August 31, 2021

    Out for a ride…

    January 2, 2013

    So Long, Eos-M

    January 17, 2014
  • B&W,  Daily photo,  Fighters,  Fighting Disciplines,  Summer

    Learning to Shoot Boxing Matches

    July 18, 2024 /

    Taking pictures in a boxing gym during regular training is a unique way to learn to understand when ‘the moment’ – a hit, a miss, a bob or a weave – is coming and develop an instinct for composition – Initially published on 35mmc.com This is important for two reasons. Firstly, as always with sports photography, you need to know the discipline you want to shoot and practice different options. But, in a classic Catch 22, if you don’t attend a fair number of bouts at ringisde, you won’t know the discipline and learn how to photograph it. Spending time in a gym, then, is the best second best option…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Christmas Time at Covent Garden

    December 25, 2013

    Seeking Directions

    March 18, 2013

    Under the Bridge

    November 6, 2013
  • 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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    Lamp

    April 2, 2014

    Trust Us, We Care About You

    March 18, 2014

    Intelligent Design

    October 26, 2018
  • 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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    A Casual Walk

    March 6, 2015

    Ready for lunch

    September 2, 2014

    Portraits in Skating

    November 30, 2024
  • Daily Video,  Summer

    The Real-Life Lens Test Series – Episode 1: Viltrox XF 56/1,4 AF

    June 6, 2024 /

    This is a series documenting the real-life use of various lenses. The first episode features a Viltrox XF 56/1.4 AF mounted on a Fuji X-T4.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Canon EOS-M. Useless for Street-Photography

    March 28, 2013

    The Spectators

    August 19, 2017

    Bicycle

    February 2, 2015
  • 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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    Emanuele Cavallucci. The New Italian Pro Boxing Welterweight Champion

    March 9, 2019

    Glancing Books

    November 12, 2015

    Alfa (1750) … dog

    July 25, 2015
  • 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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    Lost in mumbling

    September 22, 2013

    Posing

    June 17, 2022

    The Double Helix

    October 13, 2013
  • 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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    A Curious Bystander

    December 24, 2013

    Learning to Shoot Boxing Matches

    July 18, 2024

    Fujifilm XF 100-400: a quick test

    January 12, 2018
  • Autumn,  B&W,  Daily photo,  Fighters,  Gear,  Spring,  Summer,  Thoughts,  Winter

    Pentax – In Praise of Usability of Cameras and Lenses

    March 3, 2024 /

    The Internet is full of columns and videos about why ‘I left brand X for brand Y’, magnifiying this or that ‘new feature’ that forced a photographer to ditch his previous setup in favour of a brand new one. Sometimes there is a genuine motivation behind such a choice, sometimes – often – it is just a clickbait set up by the need (or hope) to monetise a piece of content published on a social network. This long introduction violates the golden rule of journalistic writing – tell the reader what’s the matter in the first paragraph or so – but it was necessary because this article is exactly that:…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Too Young to Spend Time Watching the Ducks in the Pond

    October 22, 2013

    Between Two Sets

    May 15, 2014

    Somewhere in Japan

    May 19, 2014
  • 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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    Planetarium

    May 30, 2015

    A Hellish Look

    March 26, 2024

    An illuminated escape path will help you to reach the exits …

    November 10, 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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    An Antique Shop in via Cadorna

    December 10, 2023

    A perfect match

    February 1, 2013

    The Watchdogs

    February 9, 2017
  • 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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    Relax At The Rapallo’s Marina

    August 2, 2014

    Pensive

    June 13, 2015

    Windows XVIII … Century

    February 28, 2014
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Fighters,  Fighting Disciplines,  People,  Summer

    HeadButt

    August 5, 2023 /

    Sometimes the difference between a pleasant result and just a plain wrong, missed photo may be challenging to tell.I took this picture years ago, during an MMA fight and, to be honest, I can not even remember framing and setting the camera accordingly for this shot. In other words, it happened almost by accident.The outcome is blurry and shaky, however, the overall result has a ‘painterly’ feel, almost like an ink sketch.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Spectral Lotus

    July 19, 2015

    Lockpicking Tools

    December 11, 2018

    Franco Cerri. The Last Jazz Living Legend

    August 16, 2016
  • B&W,  Boston,  Buildings,  Daily photo,  Docks,  Downtown,  Parks,  Streets&Squares,  Summer,  Travels

    From Waltham to Boston

    August 4, 2023 /

    ‘From Waltham to Boston’, an offshoot of a bigger project on documenting Boston’s pulse, is now available on Amazon as a Kindle e-book.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Outside the Courthall

    April 15, 2015

    A Rusted Window

    September 11, 2014

    Get Ready for The Duty

    July 13, 2013
  • B&W,  Boston,  Cars&Bikes,  Daily photo,  Streets&Squares,  Summer

    UnortORTOdox (Ferrania)

    July 22, 2023 /

    This is an unorthodox use of an orthochromatic film (namely, Ferrania Orto.) It is not supposed to be the first choice for reportage or travel photography, but rules are made to be broken, aren’t they? As per the photo, it was taken in North End, Boston’s Little Italy.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Norwegian Suits

    October 15, 2014

    Claws of Fire

    September 27, 2017

    Belgian Macarons

    November 2, 2015
  • B&W,  Daily photo,  People,  Rome,  Summer

    Content Creators

    July 20, 2023 /

    There are many reasons for the lack of details in this image.The main one is that this roll of Kodak BW400CN expired about 15 years ago. Secondly, the Nikon 35TI used for the shot was set to ‘P’ mode, which does not allow ISO to be changed, and exposure compensation is broken: this made it impossible to use longer exposure times, as it would have been necessary.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Aficionados

    August 5, 2013

    To Do or To Own? (or the Photographer’s Dilemma)

    March 2, 2025

    Life, the Universe and Everything

    July 28, 2013
  • Boston,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Restaurants&Bar,  Summer

    Coffee at Caffè Nero

    July 16, 2023 /

    On the technical side, this photo was a test of the X-T5 capability to handle scenes with both strong highlights and shadows without increasing the standard dynamic range. As per the quality, despite the similarity of the name, definitely no, it has nothing ado with the ‘Nero’ one can taste in Trieste which —unbeknownst to many — is the Italian capital of coffee.

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    Andrea Monti

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    Sailing Home

    October 4, 2023

    Footprints in the Snow

    December 25, 2012

    Kite Surfer Under Duress

    January 29, 2021
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