The End of the Bucket List

Ci sono colori che non si scelgono per moda. Si scelgono per necessità, e poi, col tempo, diventano identità.

Il bianco di Ostuni è uno di questi.

Non è un bianco decorativo. È un bianco che lavora: respinge il sole, disinfetta i muri, protegge dall’umidità che sale dalla pietra calcarea su cui la città è costruita. Per secoli, prima che esistesse qualsiasi nozione di “estetica mediterranea” da cartolina, le famiglie di Ostuni imbiancavano le proprie case a calce ogni primavera. Era un gesto pratico. È diventato un’eredità.

Un rito, non una manutenzione

Chi visita Ostuni oggi vede un borgo scolpito nel bianco, uniforme, quasi accecante a mezzogiorno. Ma quel bianco è il risultato di migliaia di gesti individuali, ripetuti ogni anno da generazioni di abitanti: un secchio, un pennellone, una scala, e ore passate a coprire ogni centimetro di muro con la calce viva.

La calce non è pittura. Si comporta, respira, si muove con la pietra. Lascia che l’umidità esca dai muri invece di trattenerla — un dettaglio tecnico che i costruttori di oggi, con tutti i materiali sintetici a disposizione, faticano ancora a replicare con la stessa efficacia.

Per questo, quando restauriamo una casa per la collezione, non sostituiamo. Conserviamo. Le pareti della nostra proprietà a Ostuni sono state trattate seguendo lo stesso metodo che si usava un secolo fa: calce naturale, applicata a mano, lasciata vivere con le imperfezioni che la rendono autentica — non un bianco di vernice, ma un bianco che ha una texture, una profondità, quasi un respiro.

I’ve got a Fujifilm X100s. It’s easily the best camera I’ve ever owned. I take care of it as best as I can, but I don’t let taking care of it impact the photography. Let me elaborate on that a bit better. You’ll get better at each section of what we talked about slowly. And while you do, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it all is and how the habit forms. The best way to get better at photography is start by taking your camera everywhere. If you leave your house, your camera leaves with you. The only exception is if you’re planning for a weekend bender — then probably leave it at home. Other than that, always have it slung over your shoulder. It would probably help to get an extra battery to carry in your pocket. I’ve got three batteries. One in my camera, one in my pocket, one in the charger. When it dies, swap them all.

For me, the most important part of improving at photography has been sharing it. Sign up for an Exposure account, or post regularly to Tumblr, or both. Tell people you’re trying to get better at photography. Talk about it. When you talk about it, other people get excited about it. They’ll come on photo walks with you. They’ll pose for portraits. They’ll buy your prints, zines, whatever.

The best way to get better at photography is start by taking your camera everywhere. If you leave your house, your camera leaves with you. The only exception is if you’re planning for a weekend bender — then probably leave it at home. Other than that, always have it slung over your shoulder. It would probably help to get an extra battery to carry in your pocket. I’ve got three batteries. One in my camera, one in my pocket, one in the charger. When it dies, swap them all.

For me, the most important part of improving at photography has been sharing it. Sign up for an Exposure account, or post regularly to Tumblr, or both. Tell people you’re trying to get better at photography. Talk about it. When you talk about it, other people get excited about it. They’ll come on photo walks with you. They’ll pose for portraits. They’ll buy your prints, zines, whatever.

It’s easily the best camera I’ve ever owned. I take care of it as best as I can, but I don’t let taking care of it impact the photography. You’ll get better at each section of what we talked about slowly. And while you do, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it all is and how the habit forms.

The best way to get better at photography is start by taking your camera everywhere. If you leave your house, your camera leaves with you. The only exception is if you’re planning for a weekend bender — then probably leave it at home. Other than that, always have it slung over your shoulder. It would probably help to get an extra battery to carry in your pocket. I’ve got three batteries. One in my camera, one in my pocket, one in the charger. When it dies, swap them all.

I’ve got a Fujifilm X100s. It’s easily the best camera I’ve ever owned. I take care of it as best as I can, but I don’t let taking care of it impact the photography. Let me elaborate on that a bit better. You’ll get better at each section of what we talked about slowly. And while you do, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it all is and how the habit forms.

For me, the most important part of improving at photography has been sharing it. Sign up for an Exposure account, or post regularly to Tumblr, or both. Tell people you’re trying to get better at photography. Talk about it. When you talk about it, other people get excited about it. They’ll come on photo walks with you. They’ll pose for portraits. They’ll buy your prints, zines, whatever.