This small scale project offers a comparison of coffee shops in neighbourhoods in Milan (Italy) and Liverpool (UK) by the photographers Matteo Ceschi and John Meehan.
From Matteo
Milanese bar/caffè (plural i bar, i caffè) are not so different from the other classic caffè in Italy: meeting places where people spend a short or a long time chatting, playing cards, drinking coffee and wine (all bars in Italy have licenses for spirits). In particular, elderly and working class men, shopkeepers and artisans of the neighbourhood visit, while the women are mostly artists and free-lance professionals. And, sure, photographers.
I took shots in the central Genova/Ticinese neighbourhood, where I live. So, I goof around the ‘hood and I meet people and friends. Just the time to drink an espresso and take a picture. Ponkj Bar – where I took the shot of the gorgeous man with the bowler hat – is the historical local, the meeting point for all the hoodies and occasional strangers looking for a coffee or good and cheap wine. Regulars sometimes leave copies of their home keys with barman Paolo (the one with a beard). The decor comes from the past – 1970s Italian past: Che Guevara picture on the wall; a Volkswagen van parked outside; old sugar bowl on the counter, though now theoretically “outlawed” for hygienic reasons, Fabrizio De André music in the background.
From John
Cafes in Liverpool are many and varied. Each tries hard to be hip and stylish to attract affluent Liverpudlians. As a student city Liverpool is geared for younger people. The cafes in and around the city centre are often full of students, graduated freelancers, and other professional people poring over their laptops or peering at their smartphones. There is an energy and vibrancy to the cafe scene.
The limited number of cafe’s in which I took the photographs featured here include the very popular Leaf Cafe on Bold Street (town centre) and 92 Degrees Coffee on Hardman Street (university district). Leaf is a large cafe where people meet friends and business contacts. It is one of the few cafe’s with an alcohol licence. By contrast 92 Degree’s Coffee is a cathedral to that beverage. They roast their own beans and are totally focussed on quality coffee.
Bar’s and cafe’s in Liverpool centre often have short lives and so it is rare to find one with a long history and older staff who have spent years working in them. Staff are generally students or young entrepreneurs. The emphasis is on creating a positive atmosphere with cool (indie) tunes and good service.”
f/50 
Excellent project excellently executed Well done
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Thanks Paul!
Regards,
John
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You are very welcome John Really is nive work
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WOW
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what a beautiful work.
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Judging by the “eye” of both and by the faces in the ‘scene(s)’ England is sure in Europe, whatever any poll – or grumbler -may think/say.
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No argument here!
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Each of you offered a good description of life and environments in cafes in Milan and Liverpool… Photos fit to your words
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Excellent work and so stunning pictures, from both of you!
And great idea behind the project itself, to explore the same subject and environment in two so different places….
Very well done!
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Many thanks Pierluigi! Glad you enjoyed the photographs. Best, John and Matteo
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Many thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated, John and Matteo.
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As a black african, I’ve always wondered why the european are the specialists of coffee while they do not produce it. And in particular the italians with their espresso. The taste and the effects are surely the secrets of the bars. Maybe same speech for the tea in England.
Nice job guys, by the way.
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It’s a good point Laminaire. Maybe some answers are offered by http://blackgoldmovie.com
Thanks for the positive comments. We appreciate it. Best, John
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I really need coffee..Like, right now! Love.
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Hi John! Great work! Have a question though. For these kind of shots, do we need to let the people know we’re taking photos of them? Or it’s okay since it is a public place. Is it okay to have images of this random people be posted without their acknowledgement? I’m sorry, I’m very new to photography and wants to make sure I’m doing it right. Thanks a ton! 🙂
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Hi Iriz.
Street photography like this is a well established art form but laws on the right to photograph differ from country to country. You would need to check your rights where you photograph.
Best,
John
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Got that John, thank you and great work you have there! 🙂
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nice clik
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Very nice photos! I like this displayed in black and white
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These are really good photos! I love how you compared the two countries’ coffee shops!
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Many thanks Caroline. We appreciate the comment. Best, John and Matteo.
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These photos are stunning. Thanks for sharing.
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Amazing work! 🙂
creepercreativity.wordpress.com
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Thank you!
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John, this is beautiful work!
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Many thanks Sharona. I’m glad you like the images. Best, John
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Moc pěkné, fotky jsou nádherné. Atmosféru Kaváren mám ráda. Díky za sdělení📷
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We see the sublime in the mundane. Wonderful.
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That’s a great compliment.Thank you. Much appreciated. Best, John and Matteo
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Beautiful work John.
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Thanks Keith. Best, John.
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