Luca Battaglia's Long-Exposure Photos Transform Europe's Carousels into UFO-like Light Trails

Luca Battaglia, a photographer who identifies as "a photographer of places, of voids" instead of an architectural photographer, is currently documenting Europe’s carousels in his series titled "Ticket non remboursable" ("non-refundable ticket"). This collection features striking images of carousels situated in urban squares and parks, captured with long exposure times of 20 to 30 seconds using ND256 or ND1000 filters. The result is a mesmerizing blur of lights and decorations, giving the structures an almost extraterrestrial appearance. Battaglia’s interest in carousels is linked to themes of memory, childhood, and the evolution of public spaces, inspired by a lost carousel from his youth in Milan. His work also explores the historical journey of carousels from medieval jousting to intricate mechanical rides by the late 18th century. Locations featured include Grenoble, Nice, Marseille, Paris (Charles Michels, Tuileries, Bercy), Dijon, Tikkimäki, Deauville, and Honfleur, alongside images from the American Southwest and New York City that emphasize tranquility. The series is ongoing, with more of his photography available on Instagram.