Text: Ugo Baldassarre – Translation: Giorgio Aprile
Micro 4/3 Italia is dedicated to the diffusion of the micro 4/3 photographic system, but not only. We like photography, or rather good photography, and we like meeting new authors who can inspire all our readers. Today’s guest definitely places himself in this category.
There are few who in Italy are interested in photography and do not know the name of Angelo Ferrillo and it is for this reason that I am particularly honoured by this interview.
We can however learn more about him by reading the Bio section of his site that I invite you to visit.
We can summarize his career as the “American dream” of every young Italian photographer.
From engineering exams to famous professional photographer and testimonial of the biggest brands. Was there a particular moment that you remember as fundamental on this path?
Well, surely the milestones are to be seen in the first approach to photography (17 years old, with a Polaroid), my move to Milan (which allowed me to see photography with a totally new eye and push towards work), the closure of the my relationships with the world of design, to switch to full-time photography and then the arrival in Hasselblad (a brand that only asked for quality and content in my images and never performances related to technicalities that have little to do with their philosophy).
Is it still possible, in 2019, considering the current state of the photographic market, to make a choice like yours?
Well, I think so. But one must have a fresh and open mind. Photography, as I often say to my pupils, is no longer just about ‘shooting’, but is made up of other equally fundamental elements. Communicate, exchange status and opinions, presence outside and inside the market.
By now the profession of the photographer has nothing less than other professions.
In short, how is contemporary photography doing?
It experiences a period of liveliness and greatness he never had. Today more than ever photography is alive. It is a real language, with all its grammatical and logical structures. As I said before, being photographers today must not be limiting and limited to mere production. You must be able to understand the qualities of this powerful medium and make them coexist with others. Contamination, development, opportunity.
Street, reportage, storytelling. Important labels or overrated words? What do you think really matters to do a good photo job?
The dispute over attributing ‘labels’ will never end. There remains a consideration (and a question) to ask us: this kind of question and examination, have you ever seen it done by a great photographer? Or is it a restlessness that lives in the undergrowth of those who have little to say and much to talk about?
Having said that, just to introduce my thoughts, I believe that one must be present, attentive, highly motivated.
Photography needs an eye, of course, which must be trained. Training isn’t JUST about taking pictures as much as possible, several days a week. You need to have culture, to read, to get to know authors, go to exhibitions, events, conferences, exchange opinions (not as haters), try to evolve and be able to see what normally passes under your eyes, making it a fixed point with photography.
Get out of the idea of wanting to demonstrate something and always ask yourself if the world needs another empty image.
And then, another feared word: privacy. How do you behave on the street, keeping in mind possible future us of images? Are there cultural differences between Italy and abroad that allow more or less simply to photograph freely in the street?
Let’s start with an assumption: privacy has to do with photography like grated parmesan on a plate of linguine with lobster.
It is, from a legal point of view, to refer to Art. 11 of the Italian Civil Code in the case.
Awareness, respect, ethics. This should always be kept in mind when photographing. Once you are in line with moral values and the law, the problem does not exist.
Abroad we deal with photography (from subjects) with a different, lighter spirit, we understand that historical memory needs to be nourished and to feed it we must also take pictures. Our posterity, in 2300, will believe that we are all born adults, because there will be no more photos of children. And many times I happened to hear it said by those close to the world of photography, not wanting the children to be photographed. Mhhhh… I am perplexed.
In your recent video interview for Fowa Tech Bar I heard you say that you always have a Panasonic Lumix GX9 in your bag. What is your favourite combination?
Yes, I use my GX9 and I am very happy with it. I only have one lens, the 15mm f/1.7 (Panasonic Leica Summilux 15mm f/1.7). I have no other lenses and I don’t even need them. I have always preferred to document by experiencing the scenes first-hand.
Have you ever used the Panasonic for work or always as a plan B? Do you have any photo to show us made with this system?
Sure. More than once. Why ‘plan B’? Is there anyone who believes they cannot professionally use a micro 4/3? In 2019?
I would like to conclude by talking about 258 MINUTES, which is your latest personal project, which has become a book and a portfolio highly appreciated in various photographic festivals. Would you like to talk about it briefly?
It is a photographic trip of mine to the places of the Paris attacks of 13 November 2015 (Bataclan night, to understand). I made it a year after a space-time re-enactment in Paris, the result of a one-year planning. The book is edited by Benedetta Donato and contains a text by Giovanni Gastel.
Yes, the work is going very well, the book is almost sold out and the feedback is all positive.
Thank you so much for your availability and especially for the beautiful images you wanted to share with us.
Thanks to you. For any need, you know where to find me. Greetings to all readers.
All photos accompanying the article and the galleries are by Angelo Ferrillo and are used with the explicit permission of the author.
Contacts:
Angelo Ferrillo
https://www.angeloferrillo.com/
https://www.instagram.com/pherrillo/
https://angeloferrillo.wordpress.com/