Vecchio Alpino by Mauro Squiz Daviddi

Captured on a quiet day in Ozzano dell'Emilia, this portrait documents a poignant moment of reflection. The photographer encountered an elderly member of the Alpine company, whose weathered face and contemplative expression, accentuated by a simple stick of licorice, commanded immediate attention. Recognizing the fleeting nature of the scene, the photographer waited patiently as the subject remained perfectly still, lost in thought for a full minute. This image is award-worthy for its raw, unposed authenticity and the photographer’s ability to capture a profound sense of stillness and human character in a candid, fleeting encounter.