Modellenland
- 3 jul. 2022

Interview: Photographer Dario Bonazza (Italy)

Can you tell us a little about you?

I am a professional photographer and journalist based in Ravenna, Italy. Articles and images by me are published regularly in photo magazines such as Progresso Fotografico (second oldest photo magazine in the world, established 1894) and Tutti Fotografi, as well as other publications dedicated to contemporary dance. I also do field testing of cameras and lenses for the photo magazines I contribute to, while other paid photo work comes from stage photography.

Then I run personal photo projects. Quite often, they revolve around the dualism of the feminine: angel and demon, beauty and narcissism, altruism and cruelty, love and deception, regeneration and destruction, healing and madness, birth and death. Of course, there is more than that in my photography.

My pictures have been exhibited in galleries, at photo shows in Milan and Rome and in unorthodox places such as a vintage train. Moreover, I create and run multi-media shows with dancers, music and body projections.

How and when did you get into photography?

It all began with astrophotography on film, well before the digital revolution. At the time, I built my own telescope and of course I used to develop and print astro pics in my own darkroom.

What does photography mean to you?

It is like gold in the kintsugi philosophy: a way of life, as well as a way to recover from the difficulties of life by expressing your inner self. By the way, I did a photo project about kintsugi, of which you can see a picture here.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Anything striking one of my inner chord is a direct source of inspiration. It can be a photo, a movie, a behaviour, a disappointment in life, a state of mind. Sometimes, it comes from saudade for what could and should have been.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

Rather than style, I’d prefer calling it personality, because I quite change my style among the different photo sets. My own photo projects usually tell stories and I would say that there is an oneiric vein in many of them. I can do some glamour and such, but I prefer to move away from the mainstream, both in content and in form. This is why I gladly dedicate myself to experimentation, aiming to a less obvious vision. I much prefer an imperfect photo that can be honestly considered mine, compared to a "masterpiece" seen a thousand times a day and of which you could not mention its author to save your life.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?

Yes, sometimes just as a guide mood, sometimes even in the details. Nevertheless, I’m always open to change everything in case something unexpected comes in at the time of shooting, hopefully for the good.

Studio, on location or both?

Both. I’d say about fifty-fifty.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

A paid professional about stage photography, camera testing and such. A passionate hobbyist for my personal projects, which should not be conditioned by anyone.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

Fortunately, I have many to choose from. As a funny anecdote, I remember the time I slipped into the lake and was standing completely submerged, except for my right arm holding the camera out of the water, like the Lady of the Lake holding the sword in King Arthur’s myths and legends. As a sum of emotion and results, perhaps the most memorable was the first set of the "Lost Dreams" series, with Giulia half-coated by clay. That’s because it was the start of a long-awaited project, and the results were fully up to my expectations. Another memorable session was the one with Arianna Ilardi at the Ravenna dock, where location, light, dancer and photographer all gave their best. Another special session was the one about kintsugi, with a dear friend of mine as a model. Evelyn Poggiali is also a photographer, hence we agreed all the details prior to shooting. You will find some of those memorable photos here.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Neither. I use my old faithful Pentax K-1 in the studio, and Fujifilm or Sony mirrorless equipment in indoor/outdoor locations. However, being a camera and lens tester for photo magazines, I find the best camera to be the one you have the better feeling with. Any modern 24-70mm f/2.8 lens can be my favorite, because versatility is paramount for getting everything “on the fly” as it develops. That probably comes from my background as an action photographer in the fields of contemporary/urban dance and music, where everything can happen and you have to be ready.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Learn to do what anybody does and then go upstream and show them something different.

What do you think of our new magazine?

An excellent publication I immediately wanted to be in.

Website: www.dariobonazza.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dario.bonazza/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dario_bonazza/