Bella Italia

Bella Italia is a historically significant photo book. It portrays an era long gone.The book will showcase to the reader the beauty of Italy in the 1960's. The rebuilding of Europe was long underway and European holidaymakers like their American fun seekers across the big puddle were celebrating their love for the automobile. Albeit with a difference in size and configuration. For the first time many Europeans regardless of their status - could hop in their cars and travel to far flung European destinations and enjoy a summer vacation. Italy was one of the first destinations that came to mind. The German autobahns had been repaired and reopened and Europe was once again linking road infrastructure to enable economies of scale. There were however very few amenities available on the road. Hotels motels or Lodges did not yet exist and roadside camping was the most common and only alternative. A field or lake shore overnight stay was the only option. The book will first showcase the lengthy and daring if not adventurous travel through European sceneries to summer dream destinations and portray European camping life. Italian beaches, the leaning tower of Pisa, Milan, Rome, Venice and other tourist destinations will be visited. Street scenes illustrating life, cars, brands and Italian fashion will be showcased. The book will conclude with a short sequence of bonus photos depicting a very small and ordinary city on the French Riviera: Monaco. The pictures stem from a time period less then two decades after WWII.When viewing the pictures in this book please remember that these photos are over 50 years old and are representative of relatively basic photo lenses and darkroom developing technology.The photos in this book have been digitized to best reflect the qualities of Kodak Ektachrom Film that was used. Photography is both an art and a science. A mix of light, opportunity, time and space. It is to be at the right place at the right time as well as with the right subjects and objects. Sometimes what is in front of the camera is just as interesting as who is behind the camera. The photo represents an outcome that consists of all social and cultural paradigms both in front and behind the camera as well as technical and social skills of the photographer. I hope you enjoy the book