I was recently impressed by a photo essay on burn Magazine about rape issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The essay is by Argentinian photographer Walter Estrada and, through very strong and disturbing shots, depicts widespread violence and extreme brutality where rape is used as a weapon of war in the conflict that continues affecting the Congolese region.

Yesterday I was in Rome and while strolling towards the city center I passed by Mercati di Traiano (Trian’s Markets) and was attracted by the William Klein exhibition. Moreover, during my many visits to Rome I had never visited the Markets which is a fascinating complex of ancient roman ruins that overlooks Via dei Fori Imperiali and the Vittoriano.

Today I’ve checked out finalists and winners for 2009 at the Photoblog Awards. The Photoblog of the Year is MUTE: clean, essential and straigthforward as the photos the author, Miles, skillfully composes, shots and retouches.