Trevi Fountain, Rome October 2010

Camera : Leica M4     Lens : Leica 90mm f4 Elmar C    Film : Ilford HP5+ @ ISO 400         Developer : Ilford ID-11

Self Portrait

She was alone - or, more accurately, given the number of tourists around Rome’s Trevi fountain on any October day, she was unaccompanied. The little black “dress” with the gold motif was eye-catching, stylish in a classical way, presenting a stark contrast in the bright sunlight.  It was difficult not to notice her in the crowd.

She waited for a little while until a space appeared near the fountain wall. Recognising that it wouldn’t be available for long, she stepped forward, at the same time peering at her phone – though no attempt was made to remove her sunglasses.

She turned her back to the water, stretched out her arm with phone in hand, smiled and altered the body position slightly before pressing the shutter button. The smile vanished.

She turned away from the sun to make the screen more visible and examined the result. It must have failed to reach her expectations.  There was no display of annoyance or any other emotion, only the turning of her body to the previous pose, the outstretching of the arm and camera. The smile appeared, the button pressed, the smile dropped.

Again, she turned her back to the sun and inspected the second attempt. Not quite right, still. Perhaps it was the composition, the content, too much or not enough background? Who knows? Was there a faint trace of impatience as she returned to the pose for a third time? Who can tell? No trace of impatience in the smile, though, as the shutter was pressed again.

A quick turn. A judgement made. A silent acceptance.

Then she was gone.

Eddie