Interview with photographer Flavia Catena

1) About you
I am an Italian freelance photographer and writer (in my spare time) based in Oxford (UK). I live of dreams, memories, sometimes forgetting about the present and everything I don't like about it. Yet, I enjoy the beauty in everyday life, both when I take photos and I go out for a walk.
2) What is it that attracts you the most...
I feel inspired and attracted by nature and by art. A tree, a painting, a photograph or a ancient building in my city can make me happy.
3)Tell us about your experience as  photographer...
I recently started working in this field. I feel relaxed and free when I photograph. Sometimes I can think about nothing else and I see everything in the world as a big picture, a beautiful one that exists only to be contemplated and maybe captured by the right eyes.
4) Three adjectives to describe yourself
Dreaming, reliable, enthusiastic
5)  A film, a book and a song
It is hard to reply to this, but I will try.
A film: "Giulietta degli spiriti" by Federico Fellini
A book: "Swann's way" by Marcel Proust
A song: "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
6) What camera do you use?  lense?I use a Nikon D610 even though I have started with a Nikon D5100 (many of the photos in my portfolio have been taken with that camera), and I have three prime lenses. I have recently received, as a present, a Lomo instant, and I already love working with it!
7) Tell about exhibition if you ‘ve had any
I did not have any exhibitions so far, but it is sometimes I dream about.
8) Do you sell prints?...
No, I don't at the moment, but I think that if someone would be interested in that, I would be glad to offer the service.
9) What was your most big success? I don't really know. I can say I had many little successes which my heart and soul felt as big ones, from my graduation to the day when a client asked to have her wedding photos taken by me for the first time.
10) Favourite photographerRobert Doisneau, Paolo Roversi, Ferdinando Scianna, and many others young artists - famous or not - I find everyday on photography websites and magazines. 
11) Your main concept
Time and memories
12) What is your occupation job
I am trying to focus only on photography at present. I have a degree in Publishing and Journalism but I recently worked as a translator, just to mention one.
13) Which advice would you give someone who wants to become a (professional) photographer
I don't know if I can give suggestions to someone as I am still trying to understand this job and its world. I feel like saying: go on taking photos, improving your skills, day after day, capturing what means something for you. Work on yourself first, then be patient and confident!
14) Do you work as photographer? 
Yes, I work as a freelance photographer.
15) Your plans
Continue taking photos, do something that makes me satisfied with myself, travel a lot and maybe publish a good book.

www.flaviacatenaph.com 

Interview with photographer Katerina Pasnichenco

About you:
What is it that attracts you the most of what you have around you? 
- Actually, very often i feel myself like an out-of-time person, attracted to some old-fashioned style of life. That's why, i spending a lot of time searching for some old films at different web-pages. But, unfortunately, time machine hasn't been invented, so i'm trying to see the beauty in ordinary things around me. Especially wild nature and people. 

Tell us about your experience as photographer what did it give you?
- I have been doing photography for more than 6 years. During that time I have tried a lot of things and techniques, 'cause i simply love it. I was trying to understand the nature of making photos. By the way, it created my individual special style. I have experience as a commercial photographer and creating artistic work. I tried to shoot nature, objects, portraits. And the last were the most interesting to me, because the main object of my work today is work with people.

Three adjectives to describe yourself.
- Old-fashioned, humble, quiet.

A film, a book and a song
- Moonrise Kingdom, Lee Harper's "To kill a mockingbird", "Singing Grass" by Woven Hand.

What camera do you use? lense?
- For digital photos i use canon d500. also film cameras zenit, smena and 120 mm camera lubitel. mainly I use portrait lenses. I like to experiment with using lenses and cameras unsuitable to each other.

Tell about exhibition if you ‘ve had any.
- I haven't had my personal exhibitions yet. I was a participant of several collective exhibitions, when i was a child. 

Do you sell prints? How do you make it and where can someone buy?
- This is a good idea!

What was your most big success? 
- Publications in different foreign magazines.

Favourite photographer.
- Rodney Smith.

Describe some of your projects
- This is a collaboration with an illustrator (Daria H) inspired by the songs of “Cocteau twins”. The project will contain several portraits based on the characters from the songs.

Your main concept.
- Staged photography, concentration on details, the basis is clear-cut lines and light image.

What is your occupation, job, interest besides photography.
- I was professional art-gymnast. Now, I am going to graduate from the university this year, as an economist. Most of my free time i spend traveling and riding my bike. Also, i'm trying myself as designer, craft some accessories for interior.

Which advice would you give someone who wants to become a (professional) photographer?
- I think, i'm too young to be a good advisor.

Do you work as photographer? 
- Sometimes. And I want more.

Your plans.
- First personal exhibition, to realise our project with Dasha, to make analogue cameras my main instrument of work and improve my knowledge of making analogue films.

Interview with photographer Marc Llach

About you:

I was born in 1981 and I’m from Girona, Spain. I’m a freelance photographer specialised in architecture and interior design.

After to study photography at ITES in Barcelona and specialized in architecture and interior design at the Institut d’Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya (IEFC) I’ve worked for several architectural studies in Catalunya and Andorra.

Concurrently to my professional assignments I’m also doing personal projects which want to think about urban landscapes like a subject.

What is it that attracts you the most of what you have around you?

I’m really interested in contemporary landscapes and what we can learn trough them.

Tell us about your experience as a photographer what did it give you?

The photography gives me the skill of watching the world in a deeper way.

Three adjectives to describe yourself.

Rebellious, sensitive and quite disorganized.

A film, a book and a song.

Carlito’s Way by Brian De Palma.

Aztec by Gary Jennings.

Killing in the name by Rage Against The Machine.

What camera do you use? What lens?

I have a Canon 5D Mark II with a Sigma 24-70mm. However, I bought a large-format camera a few months ago. It’s a Graflex Speed Graphic and I hope to use it in the future.

Tell about exhibition if you have had any.

I have had a solo exhibition in a gallery in Blanes last December. This coast village is my home town and it was great to share my works there with my family and best friends.    

Do you sell prints? How do you make it and where can someone buy?

Yes, I do. You will be able to find some of my last works in Redbird Editions. This platform located in Amsterdam does the promotion of emerging photographers, who are from all over the world. And if you are interested in others works feel free to get in touch with me through my email contact which you can find in my website.

Favourite photographer.

One of my favourite photographers is Jordi Bernadó who is an architectural photographer from Barcelona because his personal work is very clever and funny.

Describe some of your projects.

At the moment I am working on a series about the tourist landscape. These landscapes are the result of a bipolar situation—in summer they are visited by loads of people, but are desolate come winter. This mad reality produces some weird and surreal landscapes which results in serious urban and social consequences on the territory where they lay. My intention is to understand and capture them.

Your main concept.

The way our contemporary landscapes define and produce us.

Which advice would you give someone who wants to become a (professional) photographer?

Follow your instinct, work hard and be patient. And the most important thing: be honest.  

Do you work as photographer?

Yes, I do. I usually work with architectural studies and I also do other professional photographic assignments.

Your plans.

Shooting photographs and making projects until my last day!

Interview with photographer Dani Santalla Lopez

What is it That Attracts you the most of what you have around you?

I think what appeals the most to me is the serenity that I try to show in each image and the bucolic halo around my work.



Tell us your experience as photographer what did it give you?

It helps me to escape from everyday routine, to see life the way I'd like it to be. It relaxes me and gives me confidence in myself.



Three adjectives to describe yourself.

Serenity. Simplicity. Tranquility.



A film, a book and a song

Movie: Where the wild things are
Book: Answered Prayers, Truman Capote
Song: There is a light that never goes out, The Smiths

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What camera do you use? lense?

I use three different cameras. Digital management and Fujifilm XF1 Nikon D40 and Nikon F65 analog format. I love the 35mm lens.


Tell about exhibition if you've had any.

So far I’ve had only one exhibition were I showed a few of my pictures. Mainly beach and mountain landscapes where I try to convey all those litte details that portray my inner peace.


Do you sell prints? How do you make it and where can someone buy?

I like to buy prints in many different sizes. In my flickr account you can find almost all of my work. If someone is interested in buying one of my prints, they can send me an email and I’ll explain them how to do it.



What was your most big success?

Each and every interview or article where my work is mention, it’s already a huge pride. But probably being able to exhibit my photographs last year has been one of my greatest success.



Favourite photographer.

I have several but Martina Hoogland Ivanov and Ryan McGinley are two of my favourit.



Describe some of your projects

Next month I have the opportunity to do my second exhibition in a gallery of my city. I'm very excited, plus I count on the support of my partner and my best friend have an important role in the exhibition. 



Your main concept.

The naturalness of things and life.



What is your occupation, job, interest Besides photography.

I have a bachelor degree in elementary education and I am a private tutor.


Which advice would you give someone Who Wants to Become a (professional) photographer?

Security, passion and confidence in what you believe. Everything comes if love is needed sets.


Do you work as photographer?

I'm just starting in the photography world and I work as a freelance as well. I’m currently doing a photo shoot.




Your Plans.

Turn my passion into my work, as usual.