5 A Day #8 - Italian Local Men

One of the things I love about traveling are the local people. No matter where I am I love to sit and talk to the local people if possible or at least watch them. I know it seems voyeuristic but I like to see what they look like, how they interact, what they eat, if I understand the language, what they are saying. It's the locals that make the trip for me. 

When I was in Tuscany for the first time, we arrived at the vineyard farmhouse where we were staying. They were having a party, celebrating their 20th year in business and Bastille day. Our hosts invited us to join the party. The people were so inviting and the conversations went well into the night covering many subjects from politics, to music, food and travel. It was a great experience. In Poland we went to a small village that was mentioned in a book that my wife was reading. We found some of the locals who showed us where the places mentioned in the book were. They found someone in the town who could speak english to translate what the grandmother and her friends were saying about the people who wrote the book along with those they wrote about. It was fascinating.

Men congregate in small groups. It begins at a young age. They get together to watch the women go by, talk about sports, politics have an afternoon drink or espresso and just take in the surroundings. It's a quiet time for them to unwind and contemplate life's questions. The images below just happen to be of local boys and men of all ages. They were taken in the area of Viterbo in Italy.

All images are for sale. They are printed to archival standards using 100% rag papers and archival pigment inks. Images are limited to editions of 25 for 13 x 19 and 15 for 17 x 22.

You can see more of my work on my website - www.ricomandel.com

	Afternoon at the Café 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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	Tre Uomini 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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	Late Night Viterbo 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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	Viterbo Boys 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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	Under the Tree 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
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5 A Day - Shadows Tate Modern

I couple of years ago I found myself at the Tate Modern in London. It was my first visit and I was there with my family. The museum is a wonderful space.  We were on our way out, but first the bathroom break as well as a stint in the gift shop kept everyone occupied. I was left alone in this grand lobby.  I sat and watched the people entering and exiting from the building as I waited. It was hypnotizing. I began to notice the shadows they cast and what they were doing. Then it struck me to start shooting. I had to capture some of these images.  I was more interested in the shapes rather than the actual people. In doing so I was able to let my imagination run wild as I made up stories for some while I was shooting. like playing with shadow puppets. Some people looked as if they were caught in a tractor beam, while others looked as if they were in a walking race. The shadows they cast added to the fantasy changing the shapes of their bodies or bringing me back to the story of Peter Pan. I'm not one to shoot many silhouettes, but in this case I couldn't help myself. It was one of those instances that was calling to me, it made perfect sense as I could not see it any other way.

All images are for sale. They are printed to archival standards using 100% rag papers and archival pigment inks. Images are limited to editions of 25 for 13 x 19 and 15 for 17 x 22.

You can see more of my work on my website - www.ricomandel.com
Click on images to enlarge.

	The Light Will Guide You 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
	Semaphore 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
	On-Looker 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
	Chess Pieces 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
	Waiting 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00

5 A Day #3 - Doors

There is something about a door that evokes a curiosity in me. The natural inclination is the curiosity of what is behind it. The temptation to open it as if you will be transported into another world. On the other hand it also gives me a sense of history as to who has come before me. What has this door seen over the years? Who has passed through it? What did it look like new? On the other hand it can be a symbol of being shut out, that of protection from hordes in the street and so on...

I have been photographing doors and parts of doors for years. This selection is European. They were photographed in Italy and Austria. I get captivated by the textures and colors, the way the light crosses them and the mystique that surrounds them.

What are some of your impressions of doors... I'd love to know.

All images are for sale. They are printed to archival standards using 100% rag papers and archival pigment inks. Images are limited to editions of 25 for 13 x 19 and 15 for 17 x 22.

	Behind the Green Door 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
	Lighted Filigree 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
	Rosso e Arancione 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
	Worn Layers 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00
	Medieval Entry 13 x 19 $250.00 17 x 22 $400.00