Photographer Samuele Bertoli is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay. From the project ‘Milk Way’. To see Samuele’s body of work, click on any photograph.

Framing a Dream
This image could serve as a manifesto for what I enjoy doing in a night photo. A photo that has an important foreground, that is taken with the principles of daytime photos on a compositional level, and where the sky, no matter how beautiful it is, is the supporting cast, not the leading actor. A photo that can involve and interest the observer’s gaze by trying to tell a story and convey emotions.
Cadignano, Reggio Emilia, Italy

The Dreaming Tree
Bathed in starlight and cradled by the soft breeze of night, the tree seems to dream beneath the galaxy’s luminous swirl—a guardian of fields and a witness to the cosmos.
Crete Senesi, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

The Starlit Kingdom
Wrapped in a glow of golden light, the castle rests above the forest as the Milky Way cascades across the sky like a river of magic. The night hums with ancient whispers, and the heavens seem to bless the fortress with their shimmering dust, as if a fairytale were unfolding in the silence between the stars.
Torrechiara, Parma, Italy.

The Milky Way and the gullies
Beneath the vast summer sky, the rugged gullies stretch in silence, their sharp ridges carved by time and erosion. Above them, the Milky Way glows in delicate hues of gold and violet, as if the earth and the cosmos were reflecting each other in an eternal dialogue.
Canossa, Reggio Emilia, Italy

Nature, a master in the art of concealing its beauty and uniqueness, finds its most intimate stage in the silence of the night. Like a precious secret, it reveals itself only to those who dare to peer into the darkness with attentive eyes. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, they say, but not always do eyes manage to capture it in its entirety. Sometimes, it’s just barely perceptible, like the hypnotic dance of summer fireflies, or merely hinted at, like the galaxies and stars of the Milky Way. I observe the night and nature with the eyes of a curious child, eager to go beyond the surface. I seek to grasp the most profound meaning and the most hidden beauty. My Nocturnal photographs aim not only to capture the image but to translate the vision of the soul. I see the world through my eyes and feel nature with my soul, not necessarily as it appears in reality. The night, for me, is a fantastic narrative to explore, with unwritten pages to fill and stories to tell. It is an invitation to immerse oneself in the night’s enchantment, where magic unfolds for those who know how to look beyond appearances.

Intergalactic Space Station
The image’s composition is carefully crafted to evoke the imagination, portraying a multitude of luminous beings converging upon what appears to be the boarding gate of an otherworldly space station. It’s as though the very fabric of reality is parting, revealing a gateway to distant realms beyond the stars. In this captivating tableau, one can’t help but feel a sense of homage to the tales of old, where mythical beings like fairies and elves embarked on epic journeys from their earthly homes to the far reaches of the cosmos. It’s a poignant tribute to the timeless allure of adventure and the eternal quest for the unknown, echoing the departure of the Elves from the Grey Havens in J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved Middle Earth saga. As the fireflies dance and the stars twinkle overhead, ‘Intergalactic Space Station’ invites viewers to stupend disbelief and embark on a voyage of the imagination, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, and the infinite expanse of the universe beckons with promise and possibility.
Fortino Sparavalle, Reggio Emilia, Italy

Winds from outer space
The issue of energy sustainability has become increasingly topical in recent years. As well as the use of renewable energy and our relationship with nature. We must remember that ours is a small planet in a boundless universe where everything is connected and interconnected. I liked to give the idea that winds from outer space and other galaxies and worlds powered the windmills.
Passo della Cappelletta, La Spezia, Liguria, Italy.

Geometry and Infinity
A solid, angular form interrupts the gentle curves of the landscape and the boundless sky. This juxtaposition of man-made geometry and celestial chaos invites contemplation: permanence versus impermanence, matter versus mystery.
Site Transitoire, Siena, Tuscany, Italy.

Gala Night
The arrival of spring brings colors and blooms, even at night, with the core of the Milky Way clearly visible in the starry sky.
Ceredolo, Reggio Emilia, Italy

The Milky Way above the Trebbia Valley
The Milky Way shines in all its splendor above the dark silhouette of the Pietra Parcellara in the Trebbia Valley. The rugged landscape blends into the night, while the cosmic river of stars unfolds above, creating a timeless dialogue between earth and sky.
Pietra Parcellara, Piacenza, Italy

BIO

I was born and grew up in Lunigiana, Tuscany, and now I live in Parma, Italy.

Embarking on a visual odyssey, I am not merely a photographer but a passionate storyteller, navigating the tapestry of existence through the lens. The art of photography, an enchantment that held me captive, has transformed from fascination to a fervent mission in recent years.

In the dance of pixels and light, my lens becomes an instrument of ancient yearning- an overwhelming need to tell stories, to share the vibrant tales that pulse within our world.

Call it a devotion, a tribute to the sublime beauty and unyielding pride that permeates our surroundings.

Driven by the innate inclination for storytelling, my photography journey is an act of communion with the soul of the universe. Immanuel Kant aptly noted that it is about “showing how reality is interpreted once filtered through the colored lenses of my eyes.”

Each click of the shutter is a passionate declaration, a testament to my deep connection with the diverse facets of reality. My photography seeks to capture the very essence and soul of the subjects, believing that a sensitive soul should choose a style that harmonizes with the message it aims to convey.

I strive to channel passion, love, and dedication in every frame. Each photograph is not a mere snapshot but a deliberate act to communicate a profound message and evoke emotions.

As memories intertwine with challenges overcome, my aim is for viewers not to glance indifferently but to be captivated, moved, and inspired. Let the images tickle the imagination and awaken curiosity as they reveal the stories that beg to be told.

All images and text © Samuele Bertoli