TRAVEL OR REPORTAGE?

Cooling down in Oslo, once again. I'm finishing the story on the new Opera House (very nice architecture) for Bell'Europa magazine.

For all those guys who keep asking what difference I see in my "travel" or "reportage" works, as divided in the web site, let me explain.

I feel reportage, intended as documentary photography on cultural and social aspects of life worldwide, is my main interest and vocation. But there is little space left for this kind of stories: magazines don't have budget nor much interest in these large stories, and people interested are lessening by the day.
Therefore to feed myself and my professional activity (and opportunity to keep shooting what I like) I also keep on my professional "travel" work, with coverage dedicated to tourist and cultural destinations e to be published on travel magazines. The good aspect of this compromise is not just money and travel: I can put some creativity and research also in this part of my work, and everybody likes this style cross-process (allow me...).
I know this can create some confusion on my image as a photographer, but I think a good picture is a good picture, and I prefer doing this rather then to work in a bar to feed myself. Comments are appreciated...

BURMESE SHOW AT MONTEPULCIANO

During the PASSION & PROFESSION time in Montepulciano my show dedicated to Burmese people will be inaugurated. Here is the presentation.
"A dedication to the BURMESE people, their daily life and culture. Victims and executioners, pacifists and violent, believers and transgressive. A people who fought for freedom, but dominates ethnic minorities that make up the rest of modern Myanmar. People who follow the Buddhist precepts but wear a uniform stained of the worst crimes. Monks who embody the spirit of the country, but are able to rebel only when their privileges are called into question by the regime.
Beyond the clichés the modern Myanmar is a reality poor, violent, complex. With a few innocent and many responsibilities. And many victims.
The democratic freedoms of the Burmese people is in its ability to overcome internal divisions and contrasts. The country risks becoming Yugoslavia in Asia if not balanced find a way out of the military dictatorship. Parties from all the opposition knows well, and they fear civil war more then repression of the regime.
How will Shan, Karen, Rakhine and the many other ethnic groups react to a power vacuum? Somebody will be able to create a federalism that completely erases years of oppression and violence? The monastic power will become an instrument of union?
A country with a culture so old as well preserved must put aside their divisions and grievances and seek new road to stay abreast of the continent. Provided that the two neighboring powers, China in the first place and also India, finally renounce that political and economic control that has condemned Myanmar for its state of passion."

PASSION & PROFESSION: IT'S TIME

In Italian, for once. L'iniziativa del TPW Passion & Profession, da un'idea di Carlo Roberti che io ho caldamente incoraggiato, vuole rispondere alle molte domande dei giovani che vorrebbero intraprendere l'attività di fotografo. Con particolare attenzione a fotogiornalismo, travel e fine art. L'intervento di numerosi esperti professionali assicura una panoramica della situazione analizzata da vari punti di vista, e la possibilità di colloqui mirati molto efficaci. Il tutto a un costo complessivo molto contenuto. Invito allora tutti gli amici che mi pongono domande di carattere professionale a partecipare: è un'occasione unica per chiarirci le idee (tutti noi) e decidere da che parte andare! Ci vediamo a Montepulciano il 27 giugno!

IS ENGLAND DANGEROUS?

In the Lake District shooting a story for Islands magazine on England's Coast to Coast walk. This is supposed to be one of the most safe and peaceful places on Earth. The perfect retreat for pensioners and wealthy Englishmen. Yet yesterday I managed to be chased by a gentleman (well, an hooligan I suppose!) that used nothing less then a baseball bat to convince me that he was not a proper subject for this story! After Kashmir , Burma and Chad it would have been absurd to be injured among the rolling hills of England... Never give up your expectations...