Behind the Quirinale – One Shot Story

By Andrea Monti

21 February, 2026

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One Shot Story

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Street & Urban Photography
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I took this photo with my Nikon 35TI loaded with a roll of Ferrania P30 behind the Quirinale Palace, the official residence of the President of the Republic of Italy while one night I was taking a casual walk along Via XX Settembre, heading towards Piazza Navona, passing through Quirinale Hill, Montecitorio (the Parliament building) and then the Senate.

Instead of using the main streets, I often like to venture off the beaten track. In this case, there is nothing actually ‘hidden’ or ‘mysterious’ about what can be seen. This is why nobody thinks of cutting through these streets and venturing into these small alleys. However, to the eyes of a photographer, the lack of crowds offers many opportunities.

In this shot, Rome shows its austere, introverted and institutional face with the quiet persistence of its institutional power, even after dark.

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About The Author

By Andrea Monti
My name is Andrea Monti. I’m an Italian free-lance journalist, photographer and – in my spare time – an hi-tech lawyer. The works I am more proud of are covering live jazz, pop and rock concerts for an Italian online music magazine and Opera and prose for a 200 years-old theatre. I also do sport photography mainly in athletics and fighting disciplines. You may find out more about me on https://andrea.monti.photography
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Comments

Gary Smith on Behind the Quirinale – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 21/02/2026

I like this one Andrea! During our time in Rome we stayed in a great hotel that was located on such an alley.
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Andrea Monti replied:

Comment posted: 21/02/2026

Glad to bring back happy memories!

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Walter Reumkens on Behind the Quirinale – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 21/02/2026

Great photo, Andrea! I'm familiar with Ferrania, but having lived in Germany, I've never taken photos with Ferrania film and never saw any in a photo shop before. In West Germany, we had Agfa, Kodak and Perutz, and later Fujifilm. Now I've read that the legendary P30 is being revived in Italy in a small factory on the site of the former Ferrania company and that there are two different types of P30. A newly produced emulsion based on the old recipe and with the support of the fan community. Both probably with ASA 80. Interesting to hear that a major retailer – Fotoimpex – does not currently have these films in stock; they are supposed to cost €12 for a 36-exposure roll.

When I see the photo, it brings back bad memories. In an alleyway like this one in the early 1990s, my Nikon F3HP was stolen by a cunning gang. Not only that, but also cash, ID documents and my plane ticket. It happened on the day of my departure after a week's stay in Rome, near the Pantheon. In retrospect, the gang's performance was absolutely cinematic. Well, I survived.

Before I forget, how was the photo exposed? I wanted to try taking such shots at night with Ilford Delta 3200 at ASA1600, 1/30 sec. and open aperture. Without exposure metering.
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Andrea Monti replied:

Comment posted: 21/02/2026

Hi Walter, Actually, I was able to purchase a batch of Ferrania from a German online shop, when it was sold out in Italy. I am very sorry for your bad experience in Rome. I can't say that now things have improved. The centre is still not a dangerous place but you need to be alert nonetheless. As per the exposure: I shot the photo with a Nikon 35TI, so I used its widest aperture, 2,8, with the camera placed on my left arm, flexed like long-distance shooters do to keep the rifle steady. I tried this technique several times and it proved to be effective in stabilising the camera. Not perfect, but way better than just holding the camera with both hands.

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David Brancaleone on Behind the Quirinale – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 21/02/2026

Salve Andrea,
Una delle tue foto convincenti. I miei più sentiti complimenti.
Se ho ben inteso, è una piccola 35mm che hai adoperato. Grande o piccola che sia, mi chiedevo anch'io l'aspetto tecnico. Scattata praticamente a buio, quindi o ultra tirata o sul cavallellto. Me questo cozza con la tua descrizione: «I was walking», giusto? Nonn ho ancora affrontato il problema delle foto notturne, io, ma ci sto pensando. Con la tanta deprecata Mamiya C330s, e meno male! Costano cifre irrisorie, pur offrendo vantagi come 6x6 che altri apparecchi non possono offrire.
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Andrea Monti replied:

Comment posted: 21/02/2026

Salve David, No, niente "tiro" né cavalletto. Ho usato - come ho spiegato nella risposta a Walter - una tecnica del tiro a lunga distanza: poggiare la mano sinistra sulla spalla destra in modo da formare una base di appoggio per la macchina fotografica, riducendo di molto le vibrazioni. Il resto è merito della sensibilità della pellicola e della Pentax K-1 con il 100/2,8 macro che uso per digitalizzare i negativi.

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Alexander Seidler on Behind the Quirinale – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 22/02/2026

Beautiful, Andrea !
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Andrea Monti replied:

Comment posted: 22/02/2026

Thanks. To be honest, I wasn't sure about the outcome, given the conditions.

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Ibraar Hussain on Behind the Quirinale – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 22/02/2026

This is a fantastic shot
Lovely mood and light and as you described
And nailed the film
Please let me know your metering technique here
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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 22/02/2026

And of course developer

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Andrea Monti replied:

Comment posted: 22/02/2026

Thanks Ibraar, Well, actually I let the Nikon 35TI to do the metering, and the lab the development (of which I am not so much fond, but likely I was able to take the image back in post).

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Ibraar Hussain replied:

Comment posted: 22/02/2026

All the more impressive !

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David Pauley on Behind the Quirinale – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 22/02/2026

Great moody shot, Andrea! Could have been taken last night...or last century. This speaks to the quality of the monochrome image and the timelessness of the Eternal City.
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Andrea Monti replied:

Comment posted: 22/02/2026

Yes, I think that black and white is on a league of its own. I approach it with the utmost care, as I think it is easy to slip into empty aestetichs and loose the meaning of the tool.

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Josh Baker on Behind the Quirinale – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 24/02/2026

The trash alleys are my favorite places to walk when exploring my East Nashville neighborhoods. Low traffic while stacked with left-overs and throw-outs
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