All rights to this photograph is reserved the photographer
This is a photograph I took a couple of years ago in Sorrento, near Naples. Naples is the town where I grew up and lived till I graduated. It’s more than forthy years now since I left my hometown, and I have no plans to move back there. Yet, having lived in several different countries, Naples remains the only place that I understand fully, if only because I’m still fluent in its fairly exotic dialect. So, I regularly go back for short trips, and I never forget to take a couple of cameras with me, one of which is invariably a Leica. The photograph shows a not-so-well-preserved, but highly dignified building, formerly the mansion of a noble family. Nowadays, the building hosts the local section of the Union of Retired Workers, and is mostly used to get together, chat, and – as in this case – play cards. What struck me was that very little in the scene – certainly not the attitude of the players – would indicate that we were in 2007 rather than, say, in 1955.
Why I use a Leica:
The combination of lens (Summilux 35 mm ASPH) and film (Tmax100) for this shot is one of my favorite when I use the M6. I own the full lineup of lenses for the M system, as well as a couple of ultra-wide Voigtlander. Yet, this only demonstrates how intoxicating can be the pleasure of buying Leitz glasses. For the kind of street photography that I cherish, the 35mm and, perhaps, the 28mm would be largely enough. Why still using a Leica these days? Actually, why bother with film in the first place? I first used a Leica (a vintage M2) when I was 19. After so many years, I appreciate even better now than I did at that time the fact that with a viewfinder camera and only 36 exposures to go, you have to think before you shoot. There have been cameras just as good as Leicas (the Contarex with its Zeiss lenses remains unmatched), cameras that were far easier to load (the Canon FTb), or actually sturdier (the Nikon F2). Yet, the combination of qualities of the Leica fully justify why so many people, including me, remain faithful to that little round box.
Please visit Paolo Viviani’s Flickr photostream for more of his work.
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Beautiful Italian atmosphere! A classic, timeless capture.
These guys reminds me of some of the characters in a classic TV series I’m watching on DVD these days..
Thanks for sharing!
Gorgeous. As you mentioned it could have been photographed in the 1950’s except for the bottled water which signifies that it’s current. Wonderful.
I miei più vivi complimenti Prof Abschied, come sempre una foto superlativa
That certainly is what happens in a lot of towns on Italy, which makes it beautiful for notalgic people like me. That kind of environment also happen on a lot of places in Buenos Aires, where I come from, and this photo brings me beautiful memories of my childhood. In some way, we share memories. And with a Leica in your hands, you gave me back an instant of my childhood. I long to see more of instants like this one on your works. Thank you so much.
Woow so amazing.
Dear Leica Shots ,
hello , I like this its help new customer diccussion before buying on many many model to matching
Very happy
Sapaya