This one relies entirely on restraint. A wide shot, a silent façade, and a single person sitting quietly on the steps in front of Santa Maria del Popolo. The symmetry of the architecture pulls everything into order, with the heavy wooden door centered perfectly and the marble text panels flanking either side. Yet that figure— relaxed, maybe even waiting—gives the whole image a pulse.
There’s a certain rhythm to the repeating steps that lead the eye up, layer by layer, to the dark door. The stone is bright and textured, full of subtle variations in tone that come through beautifully in black and white. Even with all the geometry and balance, the photo doesn’t feel cold. The contrast is soft, and the light falls in a way that smooths the harder lines.
What makes this one stand out for me is that it feels like a break—like the quiet pause between two long walks. I didn’t stage it, just noticed the stillness and pressed the shutter.
Welcome to my world of photography. I am Martijn Jebbink, born in the Netherlands and living in Rome.
I grew up in a small town, surrounded by an impressive forest. In that environment I developed my own way of looking at the world. At first, I didn’t see..
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