Naples on film | 35mm & MF | Leica M6 & Rolleiflex 2.8G

There’s something truly intoxicating about Italy. The sights, smells, textures, colours, climate, and the effortlessly cool natives, I could go on and on. Naples is no exception.

Gritty and chaotic, sprawling and shabby but brimming with character, Naples is a different beast entirely from the rolling hills of Tuscany or Florence. We had been forewarned not to expect a lot from our 5 days here and that the cities notorious dumping problem and suicidal motorists would’t make for an ideal get away but we fell in love with the cities charm. A small reason for this may have been the PIZZA. Okay a big reason. “The birthplace of Pizza”- something that is as intrinsically linked with this part of the world as much as the ominous silhouette of Vesuvius that looms over the bay of Naples. It’s ridiculously good, like five pizza’s in as many day’s good. Seriously. Our host enthusiastically pointed us in the direction of his favourite, “Without question the best in the city!”. He wasn’t wrong.

Aside from carb induced delirium the cities infamous narrow streets, to the symphony of passing mopeds and washing lines strung high up between the crumbling buildings was the perfect backdrop to spend a few hazy days people watching and exploring aimlessly with good company and a bag full of film.

Here’s how our time there looked on film. Until next time Italy!