Ottobrata Romana
Attending the Leica Akademie photographic course in Rome this October was an experience that went beyond just learning technical skills. Held by Stefano Mirabella, one of Italy's most renowned street photographers, the workshop offered us more than tips and tricks for street photography, it was an immersion into the art of seeing the world differently. The focus of the course was on composition and using reflections as a canvas to create layered, multifaceted images that captured the energy and complexity of life on the streets.
We started our journey in the heart of Rome, on streets bustling with tourists, their movements bathed in the warm golden light of the Ottobrata Romana, the traditional Roman autumn.
That light felt like an extra gift, soft, yet vivid casting long shadows that turned ordinary streets into a stage where everyday moments became something more.
Stefano, with his easygoing yet focused demeanor, encouraged us to slow down, to really see before we even thought about pressing the shutter. It wasn’t about snapping pictures of tourists but finding ways to incorporate them into our compositions as unwitting participants, adding layers to our shots.
A highlight was when Stefano led us to the Ara Pacis, a white travertine masterpiece that became our natural open-air studio.
Here, we explored depth of field, isolating subjects against the creamy stone and the city’s vibrant backdrop.
Some of us experimented with framing tourists against the monument surrounding walls, using their solid geometry to contrast with the fleeting, fluid movement of the people passing by.
Stefano showed us how to subtly position ourselves, how to time our shots, and how to make the unaware tourists the stars of our images, transforming them into active subjects in our photographic stories.
His mastery of the moment, and his way of sharing that mastery with us, was inspiring.
As we made our way back through the narrow streets of Rome, the crowds thickened near the Spanish Steps. Stefano, always pushing us to think beyond the obvious, suggested we use existing structures to our advantage: giant billboards, store windows, and street advertisements became part of our toolkit.
The reflections off glass, the layering of imagery on posters, the way a passerby could interact with a fashion ad, it all became part of the playful challenge. The mundane world became our composition, and Rome, so full of contrasts and characters, was the perfect playground for this exercise.
When we finally reached the Leica Store Rome, Giorgio, the store manager, greeted us with fresh water and a bright smile, a small but welcome gesture after a day spent chasing light and angles. We were all exhausted physically, mentally, but there was a palpable sense of satisfaction in the air.
We had spent the two days not just learning about photography but connecting with one another through a shared passion.
Thanks to Stefano's guidance and the dynamic energy of the group, the experience went beyond f-stops, ISO settings, or aperture tweaks.
It became about finding stories, about seeing with a fresh perspective, and about the simple joy of capturing life as it happens.
As I left the store, my camera packed away, I knew that what I had taken with me was more than just photographs. This was a deeply human experience, one that would stay with me long after the technical details faded into the background. Stefano had shown us how to use our tools better, but more importantly, how to see, and for that, I will always be grateful.
Images and story by Sandro Fabbrini - Copyright 2024
Stefano Mirabella
Leica Store Roma
Via dei Due Macelli, 57 - 00187 Rome
Tel. +39 06 69400099
info@leicastore-roma.com