🧳 2019: Dobbiaco, Bolzano

Dobbiaco & Bolzano: Echoes of Nature and Abandoned Industry, 2019

My journey through Italia from September 10th to 14th, 2019, was a profound exploration into two vastly different, yet equally captivating, worlds. One moment, I was enveloped by the breathtaking grandeur of the Dolomites near Dobbiaco, their majestic peaks piercing the sky. The next, I was drawn into the silent, haunting beauty of abandoned factories and forgotten industrial sites around Bolzano, where time seemed to stand still. This trip was an exercise in contrast, a visual dialogue between the enduring power of nature and the poignant decay of human enterprise. This collection, spanning both "Panorama" and "Fabbrica e Industria Abbandonata," truly represents the dualistic vision that guided my lens. I sought to capture the serene, almost painterly reflections on alpine lakes, the dramatic play of light on snowy summits, and the vibrant hues of sunset. Simultaneously, I delved deep into the melancholic beauty of ruins, documenting the intricate textures of rust and peeling paint, the forgotten machinery, and the unexpected artistry of graffiti against the backdrop of industrial decline. Each photograph tells a story, a fragment of a moment where nature reclaims its space or where human history is left to slowly fade away.

My Photographic Approach and Equipment

• For the expansive landscapes of the Dolomites, capturing those incredible reflections of clouds and trees in the emerald alpine lakes, I relied heavily on my Nikon D800 paired with the versatile 70.0-200.0 mm f/4.0 lens, allowing me to compress perspectives and highlight distant peaks. For wider vistas and the dramatic arcs of bridges, the Canon EOS 700D with its EF-S10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens proved invaluable, ensuring I could fit the vastness of the scenery into a single frame.
• Navigating the often dim and challenging light of the abandoned factories and bunkers demanded flexibility. My Sony Alpha 6300 with the E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens became my workhorse, its excellent low-light performance allowing me to capture the intricate details of rusty machinery, vintage electrical switches, and graffiti-covered doors without losing the atmosphere. I often pushed the ISO to its limits, sometimes up to 6400, to capture the subtle nuances in these forgotten spaces. For quick, spontaneous shots, especially in tight spots or when light was particularly scarce, my OPPO Find X5 and samsung SM-N950F smartphones were surprisingly capable, always on hand to document a fleeting moment.
• The journey was a constant interplay of light. From the bright, often harsh, alpine sun illuminating snowy Dolomite peaks to the soft, diffused light filtering through broken windows in the abandoned industrial sites, I embraced the full spectrum. Capturing the vibrant sunset hues over the mountains required careful exposure, while the moody, atmospheric light within the ruins often called for slower shutter speeds to reveal hidden textures and the eerie stillness of the environment.
• My photographic style during this trip was deeply influenced by the contrasting environments. In the Dolomites, I focused on grand compositions, seeking symmetry in reflections and the sheer scale of the landscape. When exploring the abandoned factories around Bolzano, my approach shifted to a more intimate, documentary style. I sought out the intricate details of decay – the rust on an old car, the peeling paint on a lantern, the graphic impact of graffiti – using natural light to sculpt these forgotten elements and tell their silent stories.