Talk with Paolo Ferruzzi
Why do you photograph?
It is the same as asking "why do you breathe?": It is an involuntary act, an unconditional reaction to what surrounds me and it is my language, the means of expressing emotions, ideas and thoughts that I can hardly do in words or explicit: I am a very reserved person, at times introverted and I am much more comfortable in telling myself with images rather than words.
What do you want to communicate with photographs?
I like to show reality from a different point of view, to discover an emotion in a detail, to create harmony in dissonance and to rework concepts that we sometimes take for granted and to transform reality into a dream vision
Do you only use polaroids, why?
I use polaroid because theirs alchemy, made of emulsions, negative and positive evokes the magic of dreams. Theirs slowly materializing in our hands takes on the semblance of distant memories that our mind tries to reconstruct, to rework. They have consistency and each Polaroid is unique, a small, unrepeatable masterpiece. Because it is an intimate, reflective, emotional photograph and best summarizes, within that small frame, the instinct-instant combination.
Do you ever feel limited by the use of instant film?
No, the film is just the beginning, the starting point ... then a boundless world of artistic and expressive possibilities opens up. The only limit is to finish your film packs and still have ideas .....
How many packs of instant film do you carry around with you?
It depends on the situation, usually 6/8 film packs to have a good assortment of film types (color, B&W, duo chrome ....) and frames, but 2 is the maximum number I can shoot.
I'm very curious about how you archive your photos, tell us about it. Can you attach some photos from your archives?
Unfortunately in this I am very, very confusing. I have films scattered all over the house and I often struggle to find what I need. Those ordered are placed in the boxes of the same films and archived by project and in chronological order .... but I promise .... from tomorrow I will be tidier! (the date is not given in this interview, right?). However, I also have a 'digital' archive in which I store all the scans of my Polaroids in chronological order even if, in the case of Polaroids, it is certainly not the same thing.
Does being a photographer also give you the opportunity to be financially supported?
Unfortunately not at the moment. On the contrary, in addition to the cost of films, cameras and equipment, I also have to bear the cost of the exhibitions for which I am selected or to finance the projects I collaborate on.
How many hours do you spend on photography?
mmmh ... If you mean to do photography, then, considering that on average I shoot one / two film packs per week and that for each film pack I use about 1-1e1 / 2h I would say about 2 / 3h a week. If instead you intend to feed me on photography, well, then...... many many more. : ))
How do you feel about the attribution of originality in photography?
Originality is photography, otherwise we speak of photographic reproduction.
What role does the photographer take when he or she can no longer definitely leave the house?
The same role as when he can, only the set changes.
Tell me what really bothers you about the most popular international photography competitions.
Not to be there!
Do you think that nowadays we can go back to testing new materials for photographic printing, if so which ones?
I can't answer you, I'm not very competent in photographic printing
Do you think it's important to bring a free Photography class for children into our image-filled future?
Oh, absolutely yes, and I think we adults would have a lot to learn from children about how to approach this very powerful medium. I think that photography, as well as visual arts and music, should be part of the school's teaching programs.
Have you ever thought about or done projects that were intended for causes of help or support?
During the lockdown for the coronavirus pandemic I developed a photographic project on delivery boys, to tell about this new reality that came to life and gave life to cities at a time when everything had turned off. It was interesting and when I told the guys photographed about my project they seemed really happy and excited to be part of it. it was an alternative, interesting way of telling about that terrible period.
How do you perceive yourself through photographs?
It is an isolation from everything and everyone and as if I were observing myself from another space / time dimension. It is a technique that I sometimes use when I feel uncomfortable, a way to defend myself.
What role do self-portraits take in this world where 99% of people are used to looking at themselves constantly?
I think that a self-portrait or rather a selfie is the projection of ourselves into a reality that belongs to us less and less, it is a cry for help, a statement that is not there.
How do you relate to digital publishing media?
I observe them.
What has the act of photographing revealed to you? What new connections have you made, not only within yourself, but among your peers?
It allowed me to discover new, sometimes surprising places, it allowed me to meet new people, to make new friends, often very stimulating and rewarding, but above all it allowed me, through my photos, to know myself, to give myself a new role and a new identity, to give me a place in this world, in this time, in a nutshell to give me meaning.
What do you want others to take away from looking at your photographs?
As happens to me with many photographers, I would like others, looking at my photographs to say: this is a photo by Paolo Ferruzzi. It is my greatest fulfillment when you recognize a style, a personality.
How would you act in a world without the internet?
Well, the internet is an integral part of our social culture, and it would be hard to do without it. However, I lived the period of the digital revolution, of the 80s, I listened to music on vinyl, cassette, CD and mp3, took photographs with analogue cameras, with the first Polaroids of the 70s, with digital cameras and with smartphones and surely I would adapt: the expressive capacity is independent of the medium of expression.
Which projects have you been most excited to produce and which have you been least excited to produce?
Every project needs to deliver an adrenaline rush and if I'm not thrilled to make one, well then I'd rather save film.
Are you working on anything new?
Every day my thoughts are working on something new.
Why Polaroid and not Fujifilm?
Because Polaroid has been reproducing the same process used in analogue photography for over 70 years: positive, negative, reactants, all combined in a darkroom of a few square centimeters.
Fujifilm? I think it's a great product, but....... that's another story.
How much do you think you have spent up and down on photography?
When I look at the boxes that contain hundreds of Polaroids, I want to do some calculations ..... but then I get scared and I give up!
Lights, but especially shadows, I notice are a big part of your work, have you ever thought of working on finding those lights and shadows?
My work is made almost exclusively of natural light, often indoors as well. Lights and shadows are the protagonists of my shots, together with the subjects and settings and are often the main actors. they are often real muses in my photographs, lights and shadows are just like the yin and the yang of my photography and represent its soul.
Tell me a reason to stop photographing?
Having nothing more to say.
Would you like to do a print publication with us? Fanzine, Magazine or Book?
Oh, that would be great!
Paolo Ferruzzi