No Event Photographer
“I believe the ability to see the strange world is hidden in every person” – Bill Brandt
I increasingly find myself thinking that my work doesn't sit well with photographing events as they unfold. I elaborate a bit on this concept in this new video on the channel:
I believe I embraced the philosophical approach of the New Topographics, as well as the lessons learned long ago from masters such as Luigi Ghirri, Gabriele Basilico, and Guido Guidi. For this reason, I have always felt uncomfortable with the idea of a story contained within a single shot. That demand for a narrative has never really appealed to me—and, in fact, I often shy away from it.
And perhaps that is precisely why I have always felt somewhat compelled to cover breaking news.
Yes, of course, as an editorial photographer, I do find myself shooting on assignment right where the action is taking place, but I have never believed that photography can be reduced merely to moments when something is happening. And even when I have to take photos, surrounded by so many other photographers, I tend to look away. In a different part where apparently there is nothing.
Nothingness.
Qualsiasità.
After all, I go out to photograph without expecting there to be anything specific to photograph.
I don’t head out with my camera to go where the action is.
I am more of a flâneur who wanders with a camera, photographing himself through the world around him.
To be honest, I wouldn't even feel like a photographer if I only took pictures at events like everyone else. What difference would there be, then, between me and someone who goes to Gay Pride, Carnival, or a military parade and snaps photos with their phone?
No, I need to take photographs precisely where there is nothing or rather, where I am the only one who finds something. And it has nothing to do with whether a place is isolated or bustling, since I often find myself in crowded locations, too. I am talking about a way of observing and selecting what interests me, things that others often don't even see. No "monkey-see-monkey-do" syndrome for me. If I see someone taking a picture of something, I steer clear of that very thing.
Here we go, with a small series made yesterday…
