Spanish stairs

In june 1984, I went to Rome with only a camera, one lens, a pair of extra batteries (for the light meter) and six rolls of film. If I would make the same trip now, I would probably take enough memory cards to shoot thousands of pictures, and different lenses. Time flies, technology changes rapidly, and if you look at the people in this photo, you can see how much difference 35 years make. Your comments are very welcome.

Vincent, a wonderful time document. I love it. Best refards, Franz

Hi Franz,

 

Thanks for your friendly comment! Kind regards, Vincent

This might have been taken nearly 35 years ago but it matches the feeling I had when I visited Rome for the first time last year. I remember going to the Trevi Fountain and having to wade through a sea of visitors to even get close enough to throw a coin in (which I didn't do anyway). This is just a wonderful photo and one that I wish I had taken myself. It really captures the vibrant life and semi-chaos of the city. One could spend a long time just looking at the assortment of people and attitudes you captured in this remarkable picture.

Hi Jack,

 

thanks for your insightful comments on this photo. It is, as Franz said, a time document. The 'semi-chaos' you mention is instantly recognizable for me, it exactly matches the feeling I had when I was there 35 years ago. Rome is obviously still vibrant. Kind regards, Vincent

Glad to see your beautiful photo document of this iconic place, Vincent! Wonderful point of view, geometry, mood, many scenes of life ... Bravo! Sincerely, Tatiana

Timeless City and timeless photograph. Very enjoyable to look at!

Hi Tatiana,

Thanks for your friendly comments and appreciation of this old photo! So much has changed, but I remember the moment very well. Kind regards, Vincent

Hi Vlad,

Thank you for your friendly comments! Kind regards, Vincent

Vincent, to avoid plagiarizing the comments already made, I'll simply note that the exposure and sharpness settings you used must have been spot on; otherwise this image would not have the degree of clarity I am seeing. This cityscape is a fine tribute to Rome and is a n honor to view (since I've never been there). - - My best, michael

Hi Michael,

Thank you for your friendly comment! The settings of cameras in the analogue era, in combination with how you developed your film, left some more room for (subtle) editing the result than our digital files do. In scanning these old negatives, I search for the same room, with varying results. Kind regards, Vincent

This is marvelous Vincent. Yes a great documentary shot but I feel like it has some artistic value as well. From the mass of people going as far as the eye can see and the grand old buildings topped off by this perfect POV. I am going to put this into my favorites so I can look at it frequently..........................BR, Holger

Hi Holger,

 

thanks for your very generous compliment, I appreciate that. It's an honor to receive this amount of appreciation for my photo, that I still think is little more than a successful time document, but I'm not complaining of course. Kind regards, Vincent

B&W classic which captures the vibrant street life in f Rome and the two guys with guitars seems to be from 1969 (Woodstock). BR, Arthur

Hi Arthur,

 

thanks for your friendly comments! Yes, those two guys were retro even in 1984 :) Kind regards, Vincent

Vincent,

I like the photo,

I can see (just like You said) here a lot of possibilities for more good ones too.

It's like a heaven for street/architecture photographers.

...And no cell phones at all!!! 1984!

Regards,

ZT,

Hi ZT,

 

yes, Rome was (and probably is, I haven't been there for 35 years) a heaven for street photographers. Thanks for your appreciation and comments. Kind regards, Vincent

Looks like people are having a great time, Vincent. It's amazing to see such crowds in the streets all mulling about. Wonderful capture of the action. Best regards, Paul.

Hi Paul and Dana,

 

thank you for these great comments! This image is obviously from another time. No face masks, no social distancing. If you look closely, you can see the three soldiers that were in the 'Spanish stairs II' picture, just right from the right lantern. Kind regards, Vincent