Blog Archives

Alessandro Rossi ... contrasts, lines and geometries

26/4/2017

He is a member of Streetfashion MagZZine's Facebook group. We got to know his work, when he uploaded one of his photos to the group.

Already about two weeks ago we published the article an actress in Rome, showing some of his photos out of a sessions with Eleonora Puglia.

Today we like to introduce you to Italian photographer Alessandro Rossi, show you some more of his photos and provide you the interview, we held with him.

Alessandro, 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, What is your profession and do you have other besides photography?
Hello everyone, my name is Alessandro Rossi, I’m 31 years old and I was born in Ortona, Italy. I live and work as a portrait and fashion photographer in Rome since 2015. Before that I was a full-time sales-associate in sport clothes and shoes.

Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
Yes, before photography I was a musician (jazz/fusion drummer), I studied for several years at Saint Louis College of Music, in Rome.

Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?
Photography has always generated great interest in me, from an early age, although I got approached mainly only in recent years.

After purchasing my first DSLR Camera, I started immediately studying photography techniques in any way possible: books, video tutorials, workshops, and working with photographers.

I started photographing landscapes, then I had some work-experience in any kind of genres: from portraits to reportage, from ADV’s to Sports (cars).

I later found myself more interested in the ‘’art of lighting’’ and in the portrait and fashion photography, which has quickly become my main genre I work with.

I’m using off-camera flash in my works for several years and I’m a huge fan of the Strobist techniques, which almost always use in my shoots to control and '' build '' my light and make the most of my subject’s lighting.

For me it is very important to seek a sort of ‘’connection’’ with the subject, to search for the most important thing: convey an emotion. That’s the most important thing in photography, and is that I always try to do.

I am a big fan of contrasts, lines and geometries, I always look at these! ;) I always try to study and learn from my mistakes to improve myself as a photographer.

The planning, study and commitment behind one single click and the ability to create something that can convey what I see with my own eyes, describing the passion I have for this job and lead me to improve myself from time to time.

Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
I always loved photography in general, but I got approached for the first time when I was in elementary school, having found an old Zenit camera film in my parents' room ... from there I started to look through the viewfinder..and listening the charging noise of the external flash …

What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started? what is your
favorite lens?
I currently shoot with a Canon EOS 6D, with Canon Lens: 16-35 F/4 L IS; 24-70 f/2.8 L USM, 50 f/1.2 L USM; 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II. I also have a bunch of other equipment (Polarizer, ND Filters, various sizes of reflectors and light modifiers).

For lighting, I use a Godox Winstro AD200 as a main flash, and two Canon Speedlite 430 EXII, all of that set off by the Godox X1C TTL Triggers.

My favorite lens is the 70-200 2.8 L IS II, but I really love the 50 1.2.

I started with a Canon Powershot SX40HS, then I moved to DSLR and i bought a Canon 600D with a Canon 15-85 USM, 50 f/1.8 and a Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6.

Can you tell us about your work flow from the point until you showcase the developed
picture?
First of all, I talk with model about the shoot and I try to put her at ease. I usually research and planning the location, searching for the right spots and the right time of day for the shoot; then I try to pay the highest attention during the shoot: I seek for the highest quality of light and the properly lighting set-up for the subject, also pay attention to the background: very important.

During the shoot, I communicate constantly with the subject for feedback and taking care about posing.

Back home, I wait at least 24 hours before making a selection of the photos: this for seeing them with fresher eyes, unaffected by what has just been done, so you can better manage the selection.

After the selection of the favored (always shooting in RAW), beginning the basic processing In Lightroom, then move on Photoshop for other corrections. Finally back in Lightroom and prepare photos for export.

Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? Any
subject that attracts you?
Yes, one of my favorite modern photographer is Karl Taylor, impressive teacher and photographer. From him I found a lot of inspiration and learned a lot, thanks to its tutorials, and he has the style similar to that one day I would love to have, but there are many photographers who appreciate and that I follow: Joe McNally, Steve McCurry, Joel Grimes, Andrè Brito, Giovanni Gastel, Sylvio Testa, my mentor and my best friend Alex Comaschi (he is one of my biggest inspirations) so.. the list is really really long! I am very attracted by representing the female beauty, in general are very attracted to the shapes and contrasts. I prefer to shoot on location rather than in a studio.

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?
I do not know very well ... if I were to describe my style I would say: I like to shoot wide open, I like small depth of field, I prefer to use long focal lengths (my favorite focal length 135mm), I like to use the flashes and always looking for a personal lighting.

Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
One of my favorite work is a fashion-style shoot in a fantastic urban venue: a modern building in Rome, where I shoot one of my best picture: there was a lot of lines and shapes and geometries, that I love.

Tell us your funniest or most awkward photography story.
I was in the city-center for a shoot, had passed a police patrol, after asking me why I was taking at that point, and having shown them a few shots, a policeman has offered to help me with lightstand ..! (Just for a second course, then we had to go from there, but it was fun!)

What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
After having just purchased only the basic equipment to shoot: study, study, study; practice, practice, practice! The camera does not do the photo, but the photographer, the equipment is only a means that helps the expression of the vision of an image. Have a knowledge of light and extremely thorough in your equipment, so that you will soon forget the technique and just focus on what really matters most of all in photography: content and emotion. Do not feel never arrived, but accepts constructive advice, always with humility. Showing always open sharing the knowledge. Search for your style and always committed to the maximum to improve yourself as a photographer.

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Marco Boccato ... outdoor photographer

8/4/2017

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In his work he is following the words of Helmut Newton "I have always avoided photographing in the studio. A woman does not spend her life sitting or standing in front of a seamless white paper background". So Italian photographer Marco Boccato is the perfect candidate to be featured in Streetfashion MagZZine. We got in contact with him via Facebook and after we had some look at his photos, we asked him for an interview and to provide us some of his beautiful photos. And here we are to introduce you this amazing photographer.

Marco, 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, What is your profession and do you have other besides photography?
38 years ago I was born in Italy, precisely in Port Viro in the province of Rovigo. I'm an outdoor photographer, who does not love to shoot in front of a white paper background. As well i’m a practiing martial arts photographer for a lifetime and in the summer i’m organizing fashion contests and photographic events in Veneto, Italy.

Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
My passion for photography was born in 2004, when i started to capture everything with my first car photography session and then it grew a bit all the time and finally in the last 4 years became a great passion.

Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?
My creativity comes from the mix of colors and shades, giving the right flavor to photography and creating a bit of magic and perhaps adding even a few parts more and not forget the right clothes and good makeup.

Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
My interest in photography - to create an image, that remains over the time and provides good memories – was born as I was in London with my girlfriend and every shot, that I performed, got me always more excited.

What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started?
I started with a very compact gear in 2013 when I took my first Nikon SLR camera. Then I changed three more times.

What is your favorite lens?
The lenses, that I use for the greater camera are a 85 mm f1.4, 50 mm f 1.8 and a 17-50 f 2.8 – 4.

Can you tell us about your work flow from the point until you showcase the developed picture?
My goal is to give the pictures the right touch of professionalism and quality, always looking for the perfect shot.

Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work?
I think, that every photographer uses his own technique and his way of seeing the picture. In this world there is always constructive criticism, but not everybody accepts it.

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?
Even we are all photographers, we are always different temperamentally.

Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
among my best works I do not think, that any photo gives me the incentive to many more and more and i appreciate my considerable changes over time.

What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
To a person, who has just started photographing, I would just say to use the passion, that comes from the heart and not accept envy and critique, if it is not constructive.