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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    No time for lunch at Piazza Fiume …

    February 20, 2013

    Yet Another Dawn

    December 30, 2012

    A Lamp in an Old Teather

    March 8, 2016
  • 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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    HeadButt

    August 5, 2023

    Rockabilly

    September 15, 2013

    An update on the poor Canon EOS-M autofocus

    March 30, 2013
  • Billiard,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Sport,  Spring

    Shooting Italian 5 birilli

    May 18, 2025 /

    Thanks to the support of the Italian Federation of Sport Billiards, I had the opportunity to access the playing area of a billiards national competition with the students of the sports photography course I teach at my university. It was a very good opportunity to learn how to take photographs in an unusual environment for people more used to outdoor or ‘traditional’ disciplines. Initially published on 35mmc.com. How the Game Works Italiana 5 birilli —Italian 5 quilles— is a billiards game widely played in Italy. Unlike snooker or pool, it is played on a table without pockets and with just three balls. The goal of the game is to score points…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Davide Grotta – Live

    December 8, 2018

    The New Church

    May 13, 2014

    Lost

    July 26, 2014
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Seasons,  Shooting,  Spring

    5 frames exploring the Sporting Gun Culture in Italy

    April 15, 2025 /

    Firearms and gun culture are a very sensitive issue. Privately owned weapons are associated to mass shooting and individual killings, street violence and law enforcement abuses. When confronted with the killing of innocent people, talk is cheap and it is perfectly reasonable to invoke restrictions and even outright bans. There are, however, many people who are not involved in ‘prepper’ or ‘zombie apocalypse is coming’ state of mind, and who only want to practice a sport or foster their interest in military history, mechanics or other types of knowledge related to building and handling of a weapon. So, whatever the view on the matter, from the absolute opposition to any…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Three Tires

    May 18, 2022

    The Road To Justice

    August 31, 2014

    Out-of-Focus Once Again

    February 28, 2015
  • 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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    MMA Fighters

    July 7, 2019

    Late Evening Break In Piazza Dante

    October 21, 2017

    Out Of Focus, Once More

    October 6, 2014
  • 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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    Perfect Strangers

    April 5, 2014

    The Glassmaster

    September 4, 2017

    Shrinking Knowledge

    July 24, 2018
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Kite Surf,  Winter

    Shooting Kite Surfing

    September 22, 2024 /

    Kite surfing is quite spectacular but difficult to photograph. As with any water sport, the main difference that affects the results is whether or not the photographer is embedded in the organisation. In the former case, being allowed to stay on the official boats allows him to be closer to the action and get better shots. In the other case, the photographer must essentially rely on a telephoto lens (the longer the better) at the expense of depth of field – Initially published on 35mmc.com. Jumps and the flight phase are the most spectacular moments to capture. However, as the next two photos show, it is essential that the autofocus works…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Oh…MG!

    July 23, 2015

    Garbage Collection

    August 26, 2013

    Behind the News

    June 25, 2013
  • 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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    Trick or Treat?

    June 14, 2013

    Franco Cerri. The Last Jazz Living Legend

    August 16, 2016

    Waiting for (Supreme) Justice

    February 14, 2017
  • 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 Financial Times at Night

    October 1, 2016

    A Jazz-Manouche Guitar Player

    August 17, 2014

    Glancing Books

    November 12, 2015
  • 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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    Vinyl Never Dies

    September 2, 2013

    The Kiev 60 and a fix for the frame spacing issue

    October 8, 2023

    Couples

    May 17, 2013
  • 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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    Nature gets its space back…

    November 7, 2018

    A Toilet of the Court of Rome

    March 11, 2014

    Late Night Arrival at Bertinoro’s Castle

    January 15, 2014
  • B&W,  Daily photo,  Handball,  Sport,  Spring,  Technique

    How to Shoot an Handball Match with a Film Camera

    May 25, 2024 /

    Shooting an handball match between Italy and France, unfortunately with an unhappy ending for my Country, was an opportunity to bring back to life the rugged Canon Eos 1V, the mighty fifty and a roll of a (unexpired) Kodak Tri-X 400. When I shoot sports and, in general, events where shutter noise is not an issue, I made a point, indeed, to always carry a film camera, so this time it was Canon’s turn. Shooting handball matches is quite challenging for a number of reasons. The first thing to stick in mind is that the ball is everything: if you miss it, the shot is more often than not a…

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    Andrea Monti

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    A Winter Outdoor Chat

    December 17, 2013

    A manual-focus atteimpt on a moving target

    July 26, 2013

    Boats

    September 18, 2021
  • 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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    Are you Sure?

    July 9, 2015

    Outside the Nobel Museum

    June 30, 2016

    Smile!

    August 7, 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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    Yet Another WDISF Post

    May 5, 2024

    Old Rolls, Immortal Style

    August 12, 2019

    Where Do I Go?

    October 13, 2016
  • B&W,  Daily photo,  Photography,  Rowing,  Technique,  Winter

    An Exercise in Composition (was: Rowing Boats)

    February 18, 2024 /

    Initially, I took this photo to document the poor state of a rowing teams’ dock. The idea was to praise the passion of this small group, who in the indifference of the general public, keep this discipline alive in a town, where soccer reigns supreme. However, when I saw the photo, it was the composition that attracted my attention: a classic example of the use of converging lines to drive the eye of the viewer. My only regret is that I failed to frame the small boat on the right, missing its bow. Had I been shooting digitally, I would have checked the result and retake the photo. Film, by…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Tell me something I do not know…!

    April 23, 2023

    Leo Gullotta – Bartleby lo scrivano@Teatro Marrucino

    March 15, 2022

    Parachute

    September 14, 2013
  • Autumn,  Daily Video,  Fighting Disciplines

    The Expired Film Series – Episode 7 – Kodak Portra 160 – June 2015 shot in Oct. 2023

    January 11, 2024 /

    This is the seventh episode in a series documenting the use of expired film in various contexts. Episode 6 features a Kodak Portra 160 shot with a Canon Eos 1V and a Canon EF 50 1,8 at the Trofeo Judo Italia. The film was not overexposed, and processed with Affinity Photo 2 .

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    Andrea Monti

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    Come on in…

    September 11, 2013

    Isolation in public spaces

    November 10, 2023

    The Shoesfixer

    September 7, 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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    Fancy a beer?

    November 3, 2021

    The Expired Film Series – Episode 3 – Ilford HP5 400 – Dec. 2010 shot in August 2023

    August 30, 2023

    Selling Italian Ice in Boston

    March 11, 2025
  • 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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    Tough Enough

    August 7, 2019

    Much Too Short a Ladder

    October 17, 2013

    Pillars

    January 29, 2015
  • 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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    Suspicious

    December 2, 2014

    Canon EOS-M. Useless for Street-Photography

    March 28, 2013

    After the Party

    December 16, 2013
  • Colour,  Daily photo,  Seasons,  Summer,  Track&Field

    A Step Ahead

    October 8, 2022 /

    Another photo from the Track & Field Mediterranean Championships – Pescara 2022 reportage featured on the website of Chieti-Pescara university’s Scienze Motorie degree. Also in this case the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary did not fail.

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    Andrea Monti

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    What Lasts of a Saturday Night Party

    January 24, 2014

    Nagasaki Biker

    February 13, 2024

    The El Prat’s Lounge

    June 5, 2014
  • Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Rome,  Soccer,  Sport

    Stadio Olimpico, seen from Tribuna Monte Mario

    October 1, 2022 /

    The picture of Rome’s Stadio Olimpico has been shot from a very exclusive vantage point: Tribuna Monte Mario. Light conditions were so unmanageable that the only option to get an interesting photo was a heavy, borderline unrealistic post-production

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    Andrea Monti

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    Alone

    January 1, 2013

    Lightspeed

    August 6, 2015

    Belgian Macarons

    November 2, 2015
  • Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo,  People,  Sport,  Track&Field

    A Spanish Long Jumper

    September 11, 2022 /

    This is one of the photos from the reportage on the Track & Field Mediterranean Championships – Pescara 2022. The Sigma 150-600 Contemporary proved to be a good lens, sufficiently versatile and with effective stabilization. However, used with the 1.4 teleconverter and full extension, it does not allow for high-speed focusing. In some cases, the Nikon D610 failed to lock onto the subject. This makes the lens/teleconverter pair somewhat inconvenient in sports photography. At that focal length, it is probably worth using prefocus. If you do not want to give up automatism, you can try to anticipate the moment of focusing by framing something close to where the athlete should…

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    Andrea Monti

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    Ramping Up

    September 16, 2014

    A Lockheed C-130 Hercules

    January 31, 2021

    Mind The Step

    August 28, 2015
  • Colour,  Cycling,  Daily photo,  Seasons,  Spring

    Over There!

    May 29, 2022 /

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    Andrea Monti

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    Which One?

    April 16, 2014

    As much as you’re far from home…

    April 5, 2013

    Inside the Garrison

    May 14, 2014
  • Autumn,  Colour,  Daily photo,  Kite Surf

    Kite Surfers

    October 16, 2021 /

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    Andrea Monti

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    The Floating Relic

    December 13, 2013

    Red Moon at the end of August

    September 1, 2023

    Just a Bench (or a Sacrificial Altar?)

    January 11, 2017
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