It was beginning of September, as we discovered some of his photos in Streetfashion MagZZine's Flickr group. Today we like to show you more of his amazing photos and introduce to you Italian photographer Niccolò Ratto with an interview. |
Niccolò, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. How old are you, Where were you born and where do you live now?
I was born in Genoa (Italy) on the 21 of June 1985. I moved quite often in the past 13 years through various cities, I have in fact lived in different places in Italy and Holland. However, now I am back in my hometown.
I was born in Genoa (Italy) on the 21 of June 1985. I moved quite often in the past 13 years through various cities, I have in fact lived in different places in Italy and Holland. However, now I am back in my hometown.
What is your profession and do you have other besides photography? I am a filmmaker, a photographer and a writer. Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography? Yes, I am involved, besides photography, in filmmaking and writing. I just finished writing a novel and I hope soon to publish it, with any luck in English as well. Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from? I assume my creativity started as for many children with just drawing. I actually loved it. It was the most satisfying way to express myself. Then something extraordinary happened. My parents brought me to the cinema for the first time to watch “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, by Robert Zemeckis. |
I have always felt an unconditioned fascination for images, especially “moving Images”. I believe it was only a few years later that I hold a video camera shooting a small movie for the first time. It took me a bit to realize that an image is not only the manifestation of reality but the infinite possibility to represent all levels of it, physical, abstract, fictitious and with any instrument. You can draw it, film it, sculpt it; but in the end, each image we create is just a fragment of the story we want to tell.
Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
It all started quite at a young age. I loved photography but the result of my pictures was not that satisfying, not for me at least. Therefore, I kept practicing, reading books, studying other photographer’s pictures and techniques, but especially by taking more and more pictures every day. Still now, it is a constant learning process.
I have always felt an unconditioned fascination for images, especially “moving Images”. I believe it was only a few years later that I hold a video camera shooting a small movie for the first time. It took me a bit to realize that an image is not only the manifestation of reality but the infinite possibility to represent all levels of it, physical, abstract, fictitious and with any instrument. You can draw it, film it, sculpt it; but in the end, each image we create is just a fragment of the story we want to tell.
Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
It all started quite at a young age. I loved photography but the result of my pictures was not that satisfying, not for me at least. Therefore, I kept practicing, reading books, studying other photographer’s pictures and techniques, but especially by taking more and more pictures every day. Still now, it is a constant learning process.
What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started?
I have used lots of different equipment, from the cheapest disposable camera to more expensive analogic reflex. The introduction of digital reflex camera helped me especially in the beginning to experiment without worrying too much about the costs. In the years, I kept on collecting different cameras and mainly vintage prime lenses, which by the way you can easily mount with a proper adapter on almost any modern digital camera, with astonishing results. Now I am currently working with a Canon digital reflex full frame and a Panasonic micro four thirds (mostly for video).
What is your favorite lens?
I know I will sound obvious, but any lens could be the right one depending on what we are using it for. Anyway, I mostly work with prime lenses. They are more close to my way of looking through the camera and I just love the feeling of shooting with a prime lens. If I must choose only one lens to carry with me it will probably be a 50 mm, possibly with a fast aperture.
Can you tell us about your work flow from the point until you showcase the developed picture? I normally prefer to be prepared. I define myself as a studier, so I always do a profound research about the theme or the main subject in the story I want to tell. Then I move on finding the right location. If possible, I like to collaborate with stylists and make-up artists explaining them already much earlier than the actual shoot my ideas and brainstorm together about new options. Even if I usually work with digital cameras, I do not take many shots and I always try to keep in mind that not long ago you had to pay for film. This helps me to be more selective and let me think about the outcome without hysterically shooting thousands of useless pictures. After the shoot comes the “post-processing” part. I use a light amount of “retouch”, to get out the best from a raw file. Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? I am sure it would sound as an odd choice, but without any doubt, I would say that the major influence in my work has always been Stanley Kubrick. People often forget his work as a photographer. He has not only been one of the most significant directors in the history of cinema, but an amazing cinematographer and a phenomenal photographer. That is where his unbelievable knowledge and competence came from to start. What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers? I believe each photographer has his own unique vision. Some are just able to express it better or more efficiently. I believe my background in cinema and a sane obsession for moving images transpire from every picture I take. I am not searching for the perfect shot, but the most cinematic. |
In my opinion, I suppose the technique must be bend in favor of the real purpose of photography: telling stories. My main interest is to tell stories, lots of different stories even if deeply inside I am convinced that every artist is just trying to get better in telling over and over his own personal “story”, because he can’t live without the urge of sharing his unique vision with the people.
Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
I do not really have a favorite. For sure with some work you feel more connected then others. I always find it quite difficult to pick up a best one in between my works. I do not like much to look back at it; I then rather prefer looking at other photographer’s work. Once I finish a job, I definitely prefer moving forward to my next project, to a new adventure. I believe that every project represents the author for a limited time, until the next one.
Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
I do not really have a favorite. For sure with some work you feel more connected then others. I always find it quite difficult to pick up a best one in between my works. I do not like much to look back at it; I then rather prefer looking at other photographer’s work. Once I finish a job, I definitely prefer moving forward to my next project, to a new adventure. I believe that every project represents the author for a limited time, until the next one.
Tell us your funniest or most awkward photography story.
I am sorry to disappoint, but fortunately, nothing awkward or necessarily funny ever happened. Just once at the last moment we were denied to shoot in the designated location. Therefore, we ended up at night in a place I had never seen before, with no electricity. After the initial shock, we have been able to adjust to the scene and take benefit from those disadvantages, creating a new story with a unique look.
What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
I would probably tell him to be patient, to not being scared of experimenting. But especially to keep his eyes wide open, to keep on studying and never stop taking pictures.