This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

By Andrea Monti

24 September, 2026

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Advanced Compact One Shot Story

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Ricoh GR IV Monochrome Street & Urban Photography
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This is how the access point to a stadium has changed over time. From a place where people gather to have fun enjoying the performances of the soccer players, it has now been morphed into something more akin to a correctional facility.

I have witnessed this transformation first-hand, having coached a small team of javelin, shot put, discus and hammer throwers here since 1992. Year after year, the day after the Sunday match, when the stadium was made available again for track and field training, I saw the premises looking more and more like an urban riot zone and less and less like a place to prove oneself in various disciplines.

In a strange twist of fate, the stadium has become the only place where people willingly line up to be isolated and disciplined, but only for a few hours.

Shot at night, with a Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, the image is even more sadly explicit.

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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

Paul Sauve on This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 24/09/2026

Honestly, I believe the stadiums (and like airports, for example) have changed so much is because people have changed over the past 35 years or so. Great picture of our 'modern times' though! Scary, but Hallowe'en is not far away :-)
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Fred Nelson on This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 24/09/2026

Shows where we all are today! Our life style has changed so much.
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John Barnard on This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 24/09/2026

Thanks for the photo Andrea, and the sentiments. Can you say a few words about the Ricoh mono? Are you happy with it? I have the 40 mm Ricoh as my everyday camera. I wish they would release a version with a simple tilting screen.
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Andrea Monti replied:

Comment posted: 24/09/2026

Hi John, In fact I have mixed feelings towards the GR Monochrome. Maybe it is just me, but I don't find its black and white being in a class of its own. I have posted on 35mmc some conversion from colour photos and they are much better that those taken with the GR. However, before making up my mind I want to take more photos and see if something changes in the way I use it.

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CHRISTOF RAMPITSCH on This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 24/09/2026

Interesting! Going to a Hockey game (here in Canada) isn't quite so bad yet, but definitely there are metal detectors! I wonder if I was attending a soccer match if I would even notice all these measures? Very cool image and great choice for B&W.
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pikkumatti on This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 24/09/2026

No wonder European fans were so happy coming to the World Cup games in the US….
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Gary on This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 25/09/2026

Sad but necessary, I guess. Many people are unhinged (not to single out sports club fans...).
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Jeffery Luhn on This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 25/09/2026

Andrea,
Yes, it dies look like a prison. It must have been necessary. Sad.
Jeffery
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Omar Tibi on This is a Stadium, Not a Correctional Facility – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 27/09/2026

A very poignant and beautiful capture, Andrea. Worth contemplating why we're at this point.
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