Torino, in Film
Perfect Timing.
This past February we had the opportunity to visit Torino, Italy and I brought along my father’s recently refurbished Kodak Retina IIIc camera so that I could take a few snapshots of the adventure.
The trip was a memorable one, not only because we had a chance to experience beautiful Northern Italy, but because shortly after our return on the 21st of February, the region suffered tremendously from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
We were fortunate to be there before, and not during the outbreak. Here are some snapshots from our trip, dedicated to all the wonderful people with whom we crossed paths during our visit.
March 2020, images/text: Martin Fernandez
Several years ago, my brother Miki gave me our father’s old Retina IIIc Camera. My dad was an officer in the Air Force and often traveled around the world. During one particular trip to Germany in the late 50s, he bought the camera. I personally have little recollection of it being used by my dad, since I was born in the mid 60s, by then it was hidden away in a drawer. It wasn’t until my brother passed it on to me, that I was able to learn its history, and put it to good use.
ABOVE: My daughter Ari poses for one of the first shots with the camera since it was refurbished. We spent lots of time on the rooftop terrace of the Turin Palace Hotel photographing beautiful Torino.
By the time the camera made it into my hands, it was in disrepair. I too put it away for a few years. It wasn’t until late 2019 that I decided to take it out and have someone refurbish it. Finding that someone proved to be a little more difficult than I anticipated, but thanks to google and various vintage photography forums, I located Chris Sherlock in New Zealand and shipped it off to him for the much needed service.
ABOVE: Sunset from the rooftop terrace of the Turin Palace Hotel.
6 weeks later, and just in time for Torino, the camera arrived. I’m happy to say that shooting film once again was a delight. These are probably the first images to come out of that camera since the early 60s, and I’m delighted with the results.
ABOVE: A cyclist makes his way across Piazza Carlo Alberto in front of the Museo Nazionale del Risorgimiento Italiano.
ABOVE: Walking the streets of Torino.
The trip to Torino was a hasty one. My wife Courtney was celebrating a milestone birthday and she wanted to spend it in Italy, a place she has grown to love immensely. She’s an avid soccer fan, and particular die-hard supporter of Juventus, so when she found out that the team was playing at home (at the “Old Lady”) on her very birthday, she got us tickets to Allianz Stadium and we booked our flight to the capital city of the Piedmont.
ABOVE: My partner in crime working on a quick video and time lapse she put together from our trip.
After a few days in Torino we purchased a train ticket from the Torino Porta Nuova railway station, conveniently located across the street from our hotel, to visit the Duomo di Milano.
What an amazing day! It was hard to believe that just a week after we visited, the same plaza, along with the bustling Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, were virtually empty.
The highlight of our visit to this iconic city was visiting the Leica Store and getting an opportunity to take a few shots with one of Leica’s M Series cameras.
ABOVE: a few snapshots from our day in Milano.
ABOVE: One of the highlights from our day in Milano was visiting the Leica store, the image above was shot with Leica’s M series camera. The only image in this post not shot on film.
After returning from Milano, we spent a couple more days touring and walking Torino. Our hotel, The Turin Palace, was perfectly located and gave us an opportunity to eat at some phenomenal restaurants within walking distance, including Pomme de Terre, Manzò and Slurp!
Pomme de Terre took the baked potato to the extreme, so good!
Manzò was a phenomenal steak house – pick your cuts on the ground floor and walk up the stairs to a great cozy atmosphere for a wonderful dinner.
Slurp! was a pleasant surprise; we were not quite sure what to expect, but once we arrived we were treated to a phenomenal meal and super cool atmpsphere.
ABOVE: Taking a break at Maio Restaurante in Milano. The view of il Duomo from the restaurant was phenomenal, but this picture was even better…
We had a wonderful time in Torino. The people were incredibly welcoming, friendly and eager to share the love of their city with us. It was disheartening to arrive home late on the night of the 21st and begin to read the news of what has become, is, one of Italy’s most trying periods.
We were deeply worried as well; we had just left what would become a hotbed for the Coronavirus and immediately called our Dr. to ensure we were not at risk. Thankfully we were not exposed. That said, today, the United States is bearing itself for a major outbreak, and we, like so many other Americans, remain vigilant, and at home, hoping this crisis passes and life returns to normal.
ABOVE: Torino, like much of Italy, is a place full of treasures. During one of our walks we randomly stumbled into the Università degli Studi di Torino. Apparently the building’s courtyard is often the home of miscellaneous art installations. The second floor includes several permanent statues, a detail from one of them above.
ABOVE: Ari’s quick video from the trip…
This journal entry is a “summary” compilation of entries I made in my Moleskine travel journal. Whenever I travel I bring it along for the ride and jot things down so I don’t forge them. I also bring with me a small Digital Bluetooth Printer so I can print out selected images, obviously, none of the ones you see here. The photo paper used on these little Zink printers has an adhesive back so that I can easily peel and paste it in my journal.