63 Comments
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Juliette's avatar

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!

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søren k. harbel's avatar

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!

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Juliette's avatar

He deserves as much!

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Geert Huysman's avatar

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.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

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!

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Alicia Paley's avatar

Wow! That first photo is magnificent! Thank you for this great article! I always love reading your articles about other photographers.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

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…..

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Ken Campbell's avatar

Thanks for this. It made me feel human this morning.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

I am so glad! Thank you, Ken….

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Robin Lesher's avatar

Thank you for introducing us to this wonderful man and photographer!

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søren k. harbel's avatar

He is indeed a lovely human being! Thank you for reading, Robin!

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

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!

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you very much, Xavi! He is a good one, for sure!!

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Liza's avatar

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.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Hey Liza, you are so kind! Thank you for reading! I shall do my best to live up to your high bar!

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Liza's avatar

Ha! Well you’re batting 1000, so no danger of that!

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Mark Foard's avatar

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.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

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.

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Crina Prida's avatar

I'm with Juliette! Your posts are fantastic. Thank you!

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søren k. harbel's avatar

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!

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Ari Magnusson's avatar

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.

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Max's avatar

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’

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Glad you enjoyed it, Max! He is a wonderful photographer.

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Pierre François D.'s avatar

A real treat to discover Berengo Gardin's images and to read your story — Thank you!

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you, Pierre. I am glad you enjoyed it!

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Hanz's avatar

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~

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you, Hanz. His work is among my fovourite. Without a doubt. A great photographer.

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Hanz's avatar

Yes, very happy to be introduced to it!

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Buku Sarkar's avatar

I’m creating an Indian photographers series just for you.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you! I look forward to it!!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

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.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

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!?

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

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.

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Andrew Eberlin's avatar

The vaporetto photograph is wonderful. Thank you for a fascinating read.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

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!

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Andrew Eberlin's avatar

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.

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Excellent. He is worth the dive!

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