Parked vans that tell the story of a life

These photos of parked land vehicles (camper vans, motor homes) tell (or, rather, let the viewer imagine) a whole life story, that of the owner. The photos are, technically, extremely simple, and just frame a detail, unconventional and unexpected, and present the things as they are and were in front of me, the photographer.

Rome, Italy - February 22, 2014: Alberto Sordi was a famous actor and showman. Romans loved and love him dearly. A photograph of him is visible through this camper van's window parked in Eur, Rome. iPhone 5 — Rome, Italy – February 22, 2014: Alberto Sordi was a famous actor and showman. Romans loved and love him dearly. A photograph of him is visible through this camper van’s window parked in Eur, Rome. iPhone 5

Paris, 2012 - camping van with graffiti. Bronica SQ-A, Zenzanon PS 80/2.8, Ilford HP5+ I believe that, if this image works, it chiefly thanks to the graphical elements (the ones on the van and the ones provided by the parking bay) that are very well rendered by the film first and the slight adjustments then. The textured curtains also plays nicely with the otherwise smooth car body and walls. Finally, knowing that this image was shot in Paris, helps the imagination and perhaps suggests some foreign visitor with a long journey behind. — Paris, 2012 – camping van with graffiti. Bronica SQ-A, Zenzanon PS 80/2.8, Ilford HP5+
I believe that, if this image works, it chiefly thanks to the graphical elements (the ones on the van and the ones provided by the parking bay) that are very well rendered by the film first and the slight adjustments then. The textured curtains also plays nicely with the otherwise smooth car body and walls. Finally, knowing that this image was shot in Paris, helps the imagination and perhaps suggests some foreign visitor with a long journey behind.

A nomadic van, happily decorated, parked in the street, decorated too. Durham, England. Bronica SQ-A, Delta 3200

Cross Country Tourism in Durham, England

Pisa, Italy - March 29, 2013: a small van is parked in front of a traditional corner shop for home accessories; a good looking San Bernardo dog guards the property. This happens in the historic centre of Pisa, near the traditional market of Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Shallow depth of focus, on the dog. Scan from Provia 100F, slightly toned. — Pisa, Italy – March 29, 2013: a small van is parked in front of a traditional corner shop for home accessories; a good looking San Bernardo dog guards the property. This happens in the historic centre of Pisa, near the traditional market of Piazza delle Vettovaglie. Shallow depth of focus, on the dog. Nikon FM2n, Provia 100F

Plastic ladybugs, bearers of good luck in the tradition, on the dashboard of a car parked in Rome, Italy. Photographed with an iPhone 5 — Plastic ladybugs, bearers of good luck in the tradition, on the dashboard of a car parked in Rome, Italy. iPhone 5

Alcamo Marina, Italy - December 25, 2014: this eccentric camping van is parked on the Sicilian beach of Alcamo on Christmas Day. Many unusual objects are placed on the dashboard and the bonnet of this old Volkswagen camper. — Alcamo Marina, Italy – December C 25, 2014: this eccentric camping van is parked on the Sicilian beach of Alcamo on Christmas Day. Many unusual objects are placed on the dashboard and the bonnet of this old Volkswagen camper.

Alcamo Marina, Italy - December 25, 2014: "La sicurezza non è un limite" (Italian for "Safety is not a limit") is written on one of the many stickers on this eccentric camping van parked on the Sicilian beach on Christmas Day. Many unusual objects are placed on the dashboard of this old Volkswagen camper. Photographed with iPhone 5, toned and digital grain added. — Alcamo Marina, Italy – December 25, 2014: “La sicurezza non è un limite” (Italian for “Safety is not a limit”) is written on one of the many stickers on this eccentric camping van parked on the Sicilian beach on Christmas Day. Many unusual objects are placed on the dashboard of this old Volkswagen camper. iPhone 5

Uliveto Terme, Italy - August 2013: this photo collects several graphical elements of different kinds: one detailed street sign, one Christian icon, a van with several local companies advertised, and an old weathered wall. The scene was photographed in a small village in the municipality of San Giuliano Terme. Uliveto Terme è una frazione di circa 1.300 abitanti posta nel Comune di Vicopisano, in provincia di Pisa. Olympus XA, Eastman Double-X 5222 cine-film. Uliveto Terme (Tuscany, Italy). Graphical elements of the ads printed on the van (perhaps an ambulance) mix with those of the street and the nearby sacred icon and provide a message which is a mixture of sacred and profane, of modern and traditional — Uliveto Terme (Tuscany, Italy), August 2013. Uliveto Terme è una frazione di circa 1.300 abitanti posta nel Comune di Vicopisano, in provincia di Pisa. Several graphical elements of different kinds are collected here: one detailed street sign, one Christian icon, a van with several local companies advertised, and an old weathered wall. Olympus XA, Eastman Double-X 5222 cine-film. Graphical elements of the ads printed on the van (perhaps an ambulance) mix with those of the street and the nearby sacred icon and provide a message which is a mixture of sacred and profane, of modern and traditional

Perhaps it is not a chance that I shot these photos with a very simple and non-distracting device: either a film camera or an iPhone, unconsciously following the unwritten rules of street photography of being simple, light, discreet.

Published by Marco

Film photographyPhoto essaysPlaces and TravelBlack and white filmCamper vanVolkswagen