I was enamoured by new world photography when I arrived in Australia, 2004. Immediately, I fell head over heals in love with Bill Henson after seeing his major retrospective Three Decades of Photography at the art gallery of New South Wales. Still to this day, I have never seen such a stunning exhibition of work. His night scapes of Los Angeles completely captivated my imagination as each photograph looked like a still from a movie. What intrigued me most was his obsession for the twilight and blue hour but most of all it was his unique vision that held my gaze.
Anna Lying Underneath The Shade of Palm Trees with Arms Held High, 2026, silver gelatin contact sheet.
I learnt a great deal about photography in Australia. Falling equally in love with the classic yet modern black and white photography of Max and Rex Dupain. At Christmas I was lucky enough to be gifted their book from a very generous and loving family. I also got to stay in such a magnificent house all made out of wood up in the Sydney north shore hills. An idyllic harboured inlet dotted with classic wooden yachts, surrounded by a teeming forest of eucalyptus trees and houses that disappeared amongst the foliage. I also got to see my first original hand printed Rex Dupain photograph there, all neatly framed and hung on the wall. It was his photograph of the Sydney harbour bridge, picturing a person walking away from the camera whilst holding an umbrella on the street below as the bridge disappeared into a mist of dense rain. That picture stills looms in my memory like a strange dream from another place so distant yet near.
Anna Lying on The Grass, 2026, silver gelatin contact sheet.
They say that our first years of life are the most important, as they define who we are set to become. I don't know whether that's true or not but I do know that I need the sun like a fish needs water to breathe and thrive.
Magnolia In Bloom, 2026, silver gelatin contact sheet.
My mind recollects everything and this summer I've been taking pictures just like I always have. I measure the light with a few clicks of my meter, roll in a new film, dial in the numbers and turn the aperture rings to anticipate a click. My eyes must see everything, all the little details, flickers of the wind, shadows from the trees, magnolia's releasing a pugnant tinge of aquatic lemon breeze and Anna standing in front of me.
Anna Underneath The Shade of Palm Trees, 2026, silver gelatin contact sheet.
Enjoy these pictures of memories and life. For as each roll begins and finishes, a new one starts again, like a chapter or verse that holds a mirror to summer life.
If only it would never end!
Magnolia in Full Bloom, 2026, silver gelatin contact sheet.
Ci vediamo e arrivederci!
From the Italian Riviera.
Michael