Every now and then, Three-Card Monte scammers appear in unexpected places such as the narrow cobblestone streets between the Parliament and the Pantheon, in the centre of Rome.
This was a textbook execution. The game was fast-paced. Hooks pretended to be casual passers-by and traded 50-euro banknotes as if they were Monopoly money, hoping to lure victims into bidding. A muscle was monitoring the scene, ready to intervene at the first sign of trouble.
I tried posing as a casual observer, but there was a high risk of being spotted and confronted by the unfriendly lad at my left, so I was unable to set up a properly composed shot and had to resort to hip-shooting. Also, due to the poor lighting conditions, I could not expect a decent result from my Nikon 35TI with a Ferrania P30 film, which has an ISO of only 80. However, to my surprise, the photo wasn’t that bad. It retains a certain ‘covert operation’ aesthetic which offers a non-doctored glimpse into the underworld of street-life.
Undoubtedly, had I taken with me the X-T5, the K-1 or even just the Panasonic TZ-100 I would have been able to get a much more better photo. However, I don’t complain because, when I’m not on duty, I accept the unpredictability of using film and cameras that might not be suitable for the moment.
Share this post:
Comments
mike brooks on Three-Card Monte in Rome – One Shot Story
Comment posted: 16/12/2025
Sergio Palazzi on Three-Card Monte in Rome – One Shot Story
Comment posted: 16/12/2025