So, it is officially over a week that Italia has been under lockdown. Am I going stir-crazy? Not yet. But, I’m a person who always tries to see the bright side of things.
Are others? Umm, so far from what I see or hear, at least in Firenze, most people are doing okay. They are respecting the regulations and are understanding that this is something that needs to be done to better the future.
Yes - there are those who deny the fact that this IS happening. They continue to go out for leisurely walks, hang out at the park, go to their friends house, etc. These people are being socially irresponsible and selfish. I know I sound harsh, but it is the truth. These people are potentially prolonging this situation. Thank goodness, more and more fines are being handed out to these selfish individuals as a consequence of their irresponsibility. But, anyways, I don’t want to waste my precious breath, or in this sense “time,” given that I am writing and not talking, discussing those imbeciles.
I know it’s blunt, but let’s just be real - it’s the truth.
As I was mentioning before, so far, every morning I educate myself with news about some of the magnificent things Italians, and expats, are doing to pass the time. Yes - I’m sure you have heard of the singing from the windows, balconies, and terraces at 6 pm. But, besides this, you hear about locals continuously trying to engage in activities via social media to bring the community together. The people TOGETHER are trying to survive the sensation of imprisonment and maintain its sanity by sharing and inspiring fun and creativity among its population. It is honestly amazing to experience something of this sort. It makes me even more PROUD to be Italian than I have ever been. We are strong, and we always have been. I can only hope that others take us as an example instead of seeing us as the cause of the problem. We are anything but. We have tried to confine the problem before it became unmanageable. For us and for all other countries. We only want to survive this with as much positivity as possible.
Do you know the shutter of a camera? Do you know what it does?
Well, for those of you who don’t, it is a device within the camera that opens and closes allowing light to pass for an certain amount of time, exposing the film or digital sensor to light in order to capture a image or scene.
Shutter speed?
This is the length of time the shutter is open, exposing light onto the camera sensor. In other words, it’s how long your camera is taking a picture. Now, why is this important? Well, this is one of three important factors that will affect how your image appears. The others being aperture and ISO.
Using a long shutter speed, or leaving the shutter open for a long period of time, will generally result in a motion blur when capturing moving objects. Fast shutter speed is used to eliminate or freeze motion. Perfect in cases of capturing fast-moving objects, like birds.
Now, obviously, there are a million other things that go along with shutter speed and its effect on capturing a photo, but for the sake of argument, I want to only mention its most basic function.
Think now…how many beautiful images can be captured with a slow shutter speed….How many interesting perspectives you can seize…How much creativity is born from focusing on just one subject…
Imagine taking a million pictures of the same object. Each and every one will most likely turn out different. Different image = different mood/different interpretation.
Now imagine taking a photo with a fast shutter speed. Outcome - most likely a beautiful, yet ordinary photo. Imagine taking a million snapshots of the same subject. Outcome - most likely all the same. Maybe slight differences, but all the same perspective, same mood.
Now imagine your eye is the shutter of the camera. How would you want to capture this moment? With a slow shutter speed? A fast shutter speed?
I, for one, will choose the slow. I feel like this moment in time is the perfect opportunity to see new and beautiful perspectives on life. Yes, it may seem that it has been captured using a fast shutter speed - each day passing enclosed in your house. But, what you’re missing is that it is indeed the opposite. Each day may pass, and you may be trapped in your house, but each day presents new and beautiful opportunities to be creative and inspired to enjoy this opportunity to slow down. Take in the beauty of being healthy, safe, and alive. Use this time to make or do something meaningful.
Use this time to capture the moment with a slow shutter speed. I know Italia has.
La Mia Italia by Marco Stobbia, a young Florentine filmmaker. Production: Elevation Films Direction and Editing: Marco Stobbia