- Modellenland
Interview: Photographer Ale Fruscella (New York)
Can you tell us a little about you?
I’m a portrait and reportage photographer, a creative and a world traveller. Born and raised in Italy, based in New York City since 2010.
How and when did you get into photography?
My first real pictures are from a trip to Africa with my dad when I was a teenager. I bought a 35m camera, a 24-70mm lens and a bunch of rolls of film. I had no idea what I was doing, but some of the photos turned out great, and I got hooked up. Few months after coming back I bought an enlarger at a flea market, turned my bathroom into a darkroom and started printing my own BW prints.
What does photography mean to you?
I think I’m a finder. I try to find beauty everywhere and in everyone. For me photography is the ability to find that beauty and freeze it in an image. I love talking to people and convince them to get photographed.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
I would like to be considered a people photographer. I need a subject in front of my camera to try and capture their emotions. I shoot mostly with natural light, shaping it with panels and reflectors or using the natural layout of the location. I shoot editorials, campaigns, boudoir and surreal crazy things. I minimally postproduce my photos, mostly just doing lighting balancing. I do mostly black&white, but I recently launched anstagram color account @alefruscellaincolors
Where do you get inspiration from?
I find inspiration everywhere, my mind never stops. My favourite photographers are Jan Saudek, Peter Lindberg, Eugenio Recuenco, Ellen Von Unverth, Bettina Rheims and many other.
Think you in advance what you want in the picture?
Depends the kind of photos I’m shooting. Most of the times I try to have in mind what I’m shooting, but I also like to improvvise and come up with last minute crazy ideas.
Studio, on location or both?
I prefer to shoot on location and use the ambient light. But sometimes I use flashes too, especially for commercial work.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I consider myself a professional photographer.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
I spent 10 days in a fishermen village in the far south west coast of Madagascar to document a very important project for a British NGO organization. Some of the shots taken during that assignment are still some of my favourite.
Another memorable shoot was when I got asked to help a model agency from Haiti build their model’s portfolio. I spend 5 crazy days shooting models from morning to evening, almost broke my foot, shot inside a hotel used for woodoo rituals, met crazy people, almost fell in love and got my heart crashed by a local beauty. What a trip.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
I use Sony. Favorite lens my Zeiss 85mm 1.8.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
Define your style, take every chance to shoot, travel.
What do you think of our new magazine?
I love the editorial line and the space you give to upcoming photographers.
