Learn From Experience: Gregorio Marangon
Raised up devouring twisted printed narratives and keeping my eyeballs glued on the big screen, I grew an addiction to visual storytelling through filmmaking and photography. Born and raised on the Italian Alps, I’m currently based in Berlin working as Freelance Creative.
What are the rules of your photographic work?
I don't really have strict rules when it comes to my photography.
If I see something that moves me inside then I shoot it.
As photography is more of a passion than a job for me, I tried to explore and create without any boundaries.
I believe photography should be there for everyone to be explored in each way they desire.
Is like art, there are no rules. Just expression.
Is there a particular combination of techniques and tools that you think makes the difference?
Yes, I guess there are. But it also depends on which kind of photographer you are.
I'm a film photographer, so no digital for me. That means that when I'm taking a picture I really need to be sure of all my settings, light, shutter, and aperture.
I can't take a picture and check it out as with a digital camera. Every shot has to be planned and calculated. As a tool, you could play with ISO, pushing and pulling for example that sometimes really helps you with the film.
Or playing with mirrors and glass to create lens flares in your photos, or using lens filters of any kind to create striking images..... I guess the process gets more creative than the digital one sometimes.
Tell us about an experience that definitely changed the way you work and made you grow.
When I bought my Mamiya RZ67. Is a huge camera, heavy and bold. Not easy to carry around. Not made for street photography maybe.
But wow. The quality and sharpness of this medium format camera are just outstanding. Before the Mamiya, I was mostly doing still life landscape photography.
Now I'm really getting into portrait photography as well. And that's thanks to the Mamiya, its film portraits are just stunning.
Was there ever a difficult situation? How did you react? Tell us.
Not really in my case.
Again, I'm not a professional photographer so maybe I never got into those work/deadline/client situations where difficulties arise.
How do you relate to the environment and the subjects you portray?
I always tried to portray what I see and what I feel.
Could be a landscape or could be a subject. I just try to express the emotional or mental state I'm in, in order to tell my story.
I also ask you to share a bonus trick among your secret techniques.
Is not a secret but always carry with you a quick point and shoot camera. I love street photography and sometimes you need to be quick to capture moments.
Tell us about your equipment, what kind of cameras do you shoot with?
I started with a Nikon FE and a Minolta. Great camera to start with.
Nowadays I'm shooting mostly with my LeicaM6 and MamiyaRZ67. Kodak Portra 400 as favorite film.
How do you relate to your customers? Do you choose them or do you let chance bring them to you?
As I said already, till now my photography work has never really been for customers. But more for my personal passion for photography.
One day, hopefully, I would be able to answer you this question.
Do you think there is a perfect age to start being a photographer?
Negative, every age count.
What have been the consequences of COVID19 in your work?
I started to do a lot of walking and shoot to keep myself busy and as an excuse to get out.
Night photography has been something totally new to me that I started doing during this time.
Are there any books you would recommend?
The road not taken by Arnaud Montagard
What stimulates your creativity, what inspires you?
I've been working in the creative industries for ten years now and what I can say for certain is that everything can inspire you.
The day to day life, the conversation you have the place you visit. Everything.
Gregorio Marangon