Søren, your stories never cease to amaze me. You are a walking short story collection of the best kind - all about art! I love the way this is written and it makes me want to hop a plane, go sit with Gianni and just talk about his photography. (Fortunately, I speak Italian). I love all the images. They are so wonderful and the closing image with his dog was the best!
Thank you, Juliette. It is always fun to write about people you like and who’s work you admire. Berengo Gardin is such a lovely man and being in his company was a treat! I have a wall of heroes hanging across from my bookcase, that is where Berengo hangs along with many others!
I am a great admirer of Franco Fontana. I have been talking about his work to my photography students for years now. But I must admit I didn’t know Berengo. This piece is a great introduction. I will be exploring more of his work for sure.
I am fortunate to have a print of the Vaporetto. I cannot tell you how much time I have spent staring at it. It is such a wonderful image. Thank you for reading and thank you for the very kind comments! I am blushing here…..
What a wonderful post, Soren. Love humanist photographers and artists like Gardin. Hard to find these days! Thank you for such an inspiring collection of stories!
I usually try to wait and read all my subscriptions at once, but I can never wait to read yours. Glad I didn’t today. I always appreciate you sharing all your takes. Thank you, Søren.
I really enjoyed reading this, Søren, and I continue to be amazed at the number of brilliant photographers you’ve met over the years.
Although Berengo Gardin stated to you that he doesn’t like the Morris Minor image, I think it’s wonderful. So simple but thought provoking. However, I really like the Tuscany photo. That one is stunning!
Thank you, Mark! I have been fortunate to meet a few of my heros over the years. I don’t disagree with you, the Morris is a fun and very English image. I do love the Tuscany plowing photograph. It is incredibly well timed and the composition is incredible.
Thank you, Crina. I like writing these memories down. I don’t keep a diary or anything like that, I just make a few notes, when I think it will be important some time down the road. I am very pleased you enjoyed the read and the photographs!
I’ll admit it: I had no idea who Berengo Gardin was before this, but consider me thoroughly educated. That Vaporetto shot is absurdly good, and Tuscany, 1958 just floored me... there’s restraint and elegance in how he frames space. His form, texture, and geometry are so dialled in that it’s almost disrespectful to photographic peasants like myself. Thanks for this excellent introduction and for giving me another rabbit hole to tumble down.
What a treat to get to spend time with such a master. Those images are out of this world and incredibly inspired shots. Loved to read this story! Cheers~
Thank you for introducing me to Mr. Berengo’s work! I love the contrasty feel of his images. Reminds me of film noir. I will check out Mr. Fontana’s too.
Thank you, Stella! You will really enjoy his work. I am in Venice and was at a show yesterday - you might want to have a look at work by Maurizio Galimberti... have you heard of him? He uses Polaroids to create these really interesting Hockney like things, but more dense, if I can call it that. You might want to check him out, if you don't know of him already!?
Ooh, Maurizio Galimberti is also new to me. I will have to check out his work too. Thanks again, Søren and enjoy the rest of Venice while you are there.
Hey Andrew, I cannot tell you how much time I have spent staring at the Vaporetto.... it is fascinating, particularly when you try to figure out how he did it, and managed not to get himself in the picture. Thank you for reading!
I was familiar with the photo. Possibly introduced to it by the Guardian article 11 years ago (which shows the impression it made on me). I wasn't familiar with the photographer behind it so some further research beckons.
Søren, your stories never cease to amaze me. You are a walking short story collection of the best kind - all about art! I love the way this is written and it makes me want to hop a plane, go sit with Gianni and just talk about his photography. (Fortunately, I speak Italian). I love all the images. They are so wonderful and the closing image with his dog was the best!
Thank you, Juliette. It is always fun to write about people you like and who’s work you admire. Berengo Gardin is such a lovely man and being in his company was a treat! I have a wall of heroes hanging across from my bookcase, that is where Berengo hangs along with many others!
He deserves as much!
I am a great admirer of Franco Fontana. I have been talking about his work to my photography students for years now. But I must admit I didn’t know Berengo. This piece is a great introduction. I will be exploring more of his work for sure.
I am so pleased! He is a super photographer. I hope you find lots you like and can share with your students! Thank you for your kind comment!
Wow! That first photo is magnificent! Thank you for this great article! I always love reading your articles about other photographers.
I am fortunate to have a print of the Vaporetto. I cannot tell you how much time I have spent staring at it. It is such a wonderful image. Thank you for reading and thank you for the very kind comments! I am blushing here…..
Thanks for this. It made me feel human this morning.
I am so glad! Thank you, Ken….
Thank you for introducing us to this wonderful man and photographer!
He is indeed a lovely human being! Thank you for reading, Robin!
What a wonderful post, Soren. Love humanist photographers and artists like Gardin. Hard to find these days! Thank you for such an inspiring collection of stories!
Thank you very much, Xavi! He is a good one, for sure!!
I usually try to wait and read all my subscriptions at once, but I can never wait to read yours. Glad I didn’t today. I always appreciate you sharing all your takes. Thank you, Søren.
Hey Liza, you are so kind! Thank you for reading! I shall do my best to live up to your high bar!
Ha! Well you’re batting 1000, so no danger of that!
I really enjoyed reading this, Søren, and I continue to be amazed at the number of brilliant photographers you’ve met over the years.
Although Berengo Gardin stated to you that he doesn’t like the Morris Minor image, I think it’s wonderful. So simple but thought provoking. However, I really like the Tuscany photo. That one is stunning!
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you, Mark! I have been fortunate to meet a few of my heros over the years. I don’t disagree with you, the Morris is a fun and very English image. I do love the Tuscany plowing photograph. It is incredibly well timed and the composition is incredible.
I'm with Juliette! Your posts are fantastic. Thank you!
Thank you, Crina. I like writing these memories down. I don’t keep a diary or anything like that, I just make a few notes, when I think it will be important some time down the road. I am very pleased you enjoyed the read and the photographs!
I’ll admit it: I had no idea who Berengo Gardin was before this, but consider me thoroughly educated. That Vaporetto shot is absurdly good, and Tuscany, 1958 just floored me... there’s restraint and elegance in how he frames space. His form, texture, and geometry are so dialled in that it’s almost disrespectful to photographic peasants like myself. Thanks for this excellent introduction and for giving me another rabbit hole to tumble down.
What a wonderful story and it brought me right back to being
17 in Venice and has out a whole new perspective on the imagery you were so gracious to share’
Glad you enjoyed it, Max! He is a wonderful photographer.
A real treat to discover Berengo Gardin's images and to read your story — Thank you!
Thank you, Pierre. I am glad you enjoyed it!
What a treat to get to spend time with such a master. Those images are out of this world and incredibly inspired shots. Loved to read this story! Cheers~
Thank you, Hanz. His work is among my fovourite. Without a doubt. A great photographer.
Yes, very happy to be introduced to it!
I’m creating an Indian photographers series just for you.
Thank you! I look forward to it!!
Thank you for introducing me to Mr. Berengo’s work! I love the contrasty feel of his images. Reminds me of film noir. I will check out Mr. Fontana’s too.
Thank you, Stella! You will really enjoy his work. I am in Venice and was at a show yesterday - you might want to have a look at work by Maurizio Galimberti... have you heard of him? He uses Polaroids to create these really interesting Hockney like things, but more dense, if I can call it that. You might want to check him out, if you don't know of him already!?
Ooh, Maurizio Galimberti is also new to me. I will have to check out his work too. Thanks again, Søren and enjoy the rest of Venice while you are there.
The vaporetto photograph is wonderful. Thank you for a fascinating read.
Hey Andrew, I cannot tell you how much time I have spent staring at the Vaporetto.... it is fascinating, particularly when you try to figure out how he did it, and managed not to get himself in the picture. Thank you for reading!
I was familiar with the photo. Possibly introduced to it by the Guardian article 11 years ago (which shows the impression it made on me). I wasn't familiar with the photographer behind it so some further research beckons.
Excellent. He is worth the dive!