Sole e Ombra/Sun and Shadow (Italian Edition) [Hardcover]

Mario DiGirolamo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2000

This book of black and white images of Italy shows aspects of Italy that many tourists do not see. The photographs presented express the feeling of a culture- the social DNA that defines the interaction of people and their environment.

The text is in Italian and English. Each photograph has a title and a short legend.

These timeless images narrate simple and powerful stories, expressing the fundamentals of human experience and universal life themes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is a beauty, an immediate hit. It sits with my other favorite photographic books, Steichen, Lartigue, and Atget. -- George W. Gaw, designer and artist.

The human subjects are caught in fragments of their supremely ordinary lives against a backdrop that happens to be beautiful. -- M.J.Hammes, Athens Daily News

The portraits remind me of Paul Strand's and the scenes of people have the feeling of Cartier-Bresson's. -- Elizabeth Stone, Professional Photographer

Language Notes

Text: Italian, English

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 111 pages
• Publisher: M. DiGirolamo; 1st edition (December 20, 2000)
• Language: Italian
• ISBN-10: 0970234007
• ISBN-13: 978-0970234001
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,113,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...ever wondered how the stoics might have looked like?, July 31, 2007

By 

fCh "fCh" (GMT-5, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sole e Ombra/Sun and Shadow (Italian Edition) (Hardcover)

Technically speaking, this book has three parts. In the first, the reader learns some about Dr. Mario DiGirolamo's life and some of his props--family, profession, and passion for Rolleiflex. The second part consists of 80 of his b&w large-size photos, that go back about 40 years. The third part is an index where the thumbnails of the photos are paired by brief notes revealing each photo's context. All the texts in the book are bi-lingual, Italian and English. And artistically speaking, as another reviewer pointed, DiGirolamo is in the great company of Italian neo-realists.

Have you ever wondered how the stoics might have looked like? Possible answers can still be found among the common people of different countries (e.g. Italy, Greece, Romania, Spain). As proof stand the characters captured by DiGirolamo on film and featured in this book. I am writing "characters" for each and every one of the people in this book are part of the piece called "LIFE," a piece whose main, and opposite, character is none other but time itself. And, I should add, DiGirolamo's featured buildings become people-echoing characters, in the same relationship with time. Most faces and buildings are like living maps of the times past, grave and silent, anonymously heroic. For those pondering about the deeper meaning of life and time, (at least some of) the people and places in "Sole e ombra" will seem remote and familiar at the same time.

At least in this act, time would have forced the other characters in the darkest of shadows had DiGirolamo not been in charge with the the (sun-)light. His photography makes for such a restrained yet powerful tool to withstand time.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Master, January 13, 2003

By 

"cleopatrow" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sole e Ombra/Sun and Shadow (Italian Edition) (Hardcover)

The gorgeous black & white photography of Mario DiGirolamo brought me to the edge of tears. His mastering of the medium was even more appreciated in realizing these photos were taken over 4 decades of his life. His eye for tone and contrast is intelligent and expressive. The candid shots almost seem like theater.

Not only is this book a forum for the artistry of a well-seasoned photographer, but it serves as a history book that captures an opportunity to experience moments with folks I'd have loved to have known and places I'd loved to have been. This belongs on the shelf of every photography collector and anyone with a passion for Italy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgic Power, December 23, 2002

By 

"hilda300" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sole e Ombra/Sun and Shadow (Italian Edition) (Hardcover)

A loving and muscular portrait of the places and faces of Italy. Dr. DiGirolamo's black and white stills conjure the nostalgic power of Cartier-Bresson, DeSica and Rossellini's neo-realism. Stare and ponder over and over again.