Learn From Experience: Vito Lauciello
I'm Vito Lauciello, a photographer and Videomaker born in a small neighbor Bari, Italy. I'm 27 years old but I've been photographed since I was a child. I've always fascinated my photograph, especially the retreats and seeing them I've always liked to imagine what happened to the subject a moment before and after the step. What I'd like to show with my photographs is a feeling, an emotion, and not just stop at the aesthetic aspect of the photo, but create a photo that makes the viewer reflect.
What are the rules of your photographic work?
My working method is mainly based on a first phase of study whatever project it is. In most cases this first phase is the one that takes the longest time. Then I search a subject or an environment that have the characteristics that are best suited to the project.
Is there a particular combination of techniques and tools that you think makes the difference?
I prefer to shoot in analog, to develop and to print everything independently, in order to manage everything, to have full control, to make mistakes and try again until a final result is achieved that is excellent, without commissioning to external laboratories.
So the tools I use are an analog camera, film, chemists, a dark room and a lot of patience.
Tell us about an experience that definitely changed the way you work and made you grow.
January 2018. I met a person who has drastically changed and improved my life, my way of seeing the world, my way of thinking, living and working. And obviously all of this has brought only a positive change in my photography, making me grow a lot.
In fact every single photograph encloses (in addition to the subject or the beautiful composition) all life, all experiences, all emotions and not only of those that took it.
Was there ever a difficult situation? How did you react? Tell us.
I don't think I have ever had situations of great difficulty in my career.
Perhaps only once time is happened that in my project "/so·spen·sió·ne/" I had a loss of chemicals in the tank that contained the film, creating an artifact at the bottom of the film during the development. Then, analyzing the film, I noticed that that development error gave added value to the project, emphasizing the feeling that makes the subject "suspended"
How do you relate to the environment and the subjects you portray?
I always get a lot of inspiration from the environment we choose as a Spot. I really like to create any kind of contrasts between subject and environment, with light effects or through the study of sensations or emotions evoked by colors.
I also ask you to share a bonus trick among your secret techniques.
I don't think I have any secret techniques. I often really like filtering images through objects interposed between the subject and the lens, creating reflections or light effects.
Tell us about your equipment, what kind of cameras do you shoot with?
I have several digital and analog cameras. My principal camera is the Canon Eos 5d mark IV combined with a canon 50mm f1.2 L, Sony a7III, Sigma art 35mm f1.4, canon 24-70 f2.8 II, Canon 100mm f2.8 L. My favorite is the MAMIYA RZ67 with 110mm f 2.8, then Canon A1 with canon 50 f1.8, and Canon Eos 5 (which was given to me by an unknown person whom I have never seen again in my life).
Are there any books you would recommend?
Yes, of course. I think that every photographer should read these books:
"La chambre claire” of Ronald Barthes, “Lezioni di fotografia” of Luigi Ghirri,
“Fotografia” of Ansel Adams, “MOMENTUM”of Aaron Tilley.
What stimulates your creativity, what inspires you?
My creativity is certainly stimulated by the observation of everything that surrounds me, by the curiosity to discover always new things, traditions and above all the history of the people I meet. The information that appears to me on social media and magazines also helps, of course.
Vito Lauciello