November 5, 2012
I’ve done a lot of traipsing around the streets of my adopted homeland, snapping away, straggling up and down steps, trying to capture street life in hilly baroque hamlets.
Sicilians seem to think the only folks who should be in front of a camera are brides, kids, and fashion models.
“Me?” they’ll invariably chortle when I ask if I can photograph them. “You wanna shoot me?”
Then they laugh or shrug with a dramatic “why not” gesture. Sometimes they warn that their face will break my camera. Ha ha! A lot of people tell this joke, in fact. Younger folks shout to their friends: “Fay-sa-boook! Fay-sa-boook! She’s going to put me on Fay-sa-boook!
The result of all this tramping and trudging is my new book Sicilians in Baroque Towns. There’s a paper version and an e-book version for the iPad. If you feel so inclined, I’d loooooove your comment on the Blurb page or here. Mille grazie!
Jann–
Have not had a chance to comment until now..
I was immediately struck by this photo. Unfortunately, I’m getting rid of a library now in preparation for moving and don’t have an iPad yet so will have to forego for the moment the pleasure of looking at your others.
When I saw the photo, I was instantly reminded of the photos in his book Terra by Sebastião Salgado, a Brazilian photographer who extensively photographed the people of the landless movement in Northeast Brasil. The moods of your photo and his are quite different: the Sicilian woman seems to me to be sort of self-consciously playful while his photos are somber. But what grabbed me is the look in the eyes in both your photo and his: in many of his photos of women and children, the look is similar–some sort of appeal that I can’t put my finger on but to me, anyway, is common to both. peoples.
Joyce, what a very kind comment! I know Salgado’s amazing work. Thank you.
I think that both of you caught the complexity of the people you were photographing. Every time I look at the Sicilian woman, I see something else–same with Salgado’s work.
Grazie mille, Joyce.
Jann you capture so beautifully the soul of the wonderful people. I can’t wait to have a longer look at your book and think my MIL (who is Sicilian) would love a copy. xxx
ciao lisa
Ciao Lisa–tante grazie!
It was such a treat to flip through the sample pages of your gorgeous new book! Your street photography is so candid and honest, and the quality is excellent. The love of place and appreciation of its people shines through brilliantly in your work.
Bravissimo!
Ciao louciao–thank you for flipping thru the preview. Appreciate it, and your comments. Molto gentile.
I have had people say they would break my camera too. I love it when they pose so beautifully…..great shot.
Thanks Debra–hope you’re recovered from jet lag?
Jann, congratulations on your new book! I had a peek at the preview and it is simply stunning. There’s no other word to describe the magnificent photographs that capture Sicilian live at its fullest. The shot on this post is superb. Molto bella! 🙂
Bella–thanks for peeking at the preview. So sweet of you!
I looked at the preview of your book and the photographs are wonderful! The picture of the men sitting out on the sidewalk could have been taken outside the men’s social club in Cianciana! When my husband gets home from work, I will definitely put your ebook on his iPad! BTW, I was wondering if your trip back to the States was to vote in the election. What do you think of the results?
Ciao Diane, How exciting that you’ll actually get the ebook. Grazie mille! I’m back in the States for family reasons–heading back soon, tho. It’s easy to vote in Italy via absentee ballot, so I would have done that otherwise. xxxxxx
Fabulous, Jann. Congratulations!!! I adore the title (it made me smile before I even clicked on your page). And the woman is marvellous. Jann, I don’t have an iPad; can I read the ebook version on my laptop?
Ciao Solid Gold, oops, sorry, you’ve got to have an iPad.. 🙁
Congrats on publishing your book, Jann! I will put it on my Christmas list!!
Ciao Sandee dear, thank you!
Wonderful images! Well done, Jann! Will check out the print version. I’m very old school with regards to books. Brava!
Thank you Anitre.
O Jann. Congratulations! The gesture of the signora’s arm, her hand caked in dough, her patient, untiring eyes…. where can I get the ebook? I am so happy for you my friend. Jx
Janine, thanks for asking about the ebook. There is one available for the iPad:
http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/317688-sicilians-in-baroque-towns
Thanks for sending the info about your lovely books. Congrats!
I love the way you capture moments.
Ciao Margo–thanks!
Congrats on all of you exquisite Art, Jann.
b e a u t i f u l <3 XxxXx
the woman is stunning.
Thank you Kim! 🙂
Allora Jann, sei bravissima. Le tue foto mi piacciono molto. Marisa
Ciao Marisa–molto gentile. Grazie.
I want to sit down with the lady in this photograph and chat……. or make fresh pasta with her. She looks so inviting and interesting.
She lives in a teeny tiny house way up a hill in a little village–I found her kneading bread on her kitchen floor near her wide-open door. She only speaks Sicilian, so we communicated through smiles, mainly–I’d love to visit her again, with a translator.
I love your photographs of ordinary Sicilian people! I can’t wait till your book comes out. Will it printed in time for Christmas?
Ciao Debra–the book is published and can be ordered from the link below. Sorry it’s so expensive…. but the ebook for an iPad is cheap!
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3181466
Congrats….didn’t know you were already publishing a book!
bACI-Christine
Ciao cara, thanks…. it was fun to do.
She’s beautiful
Ciao Nancy–glad you think so too.
Bravissimo! Congratulazioni!
Grazie per il commento. Benvenuta al blog, s!
What a fun life you lead! I agree with these beautiful not young faces lined with wisdom and humor! Will look for your book. Cynthia
Cynthia–welcome to the blog & thanks so much for commenting.