Interview: Photographer Argento Puro (Italy)
Can you tell us a little about you?
I’am Marco Antonioli, aka “ARGENTO”, an italian freelance photographer born in Parma and based in Milano. Passionate about art and travel, I love photography in all its aspect, in particular portraite and glamour where a good technique is not enough to take good pictures and capture expessions that are able to arouse interest or emotions.
How and when did you get into photography?
I have always had a great passion for traveling and taking pictures in places, which is why i started taking landscape photos. Than one day started by chance, two years ago, with a photo shoot to be made with a friend for a casting ...... from that moment i started to read up on the kind of portrait ...... since then i followed my instinct and seconded this passion.
What does photography mean to you?
Photography for me means freedom to think and see the world around me (people, objects, places, monuments), trying to capture the beauty, the detail, the light, the sounds and stop those details in an image to share with others .
Please briefly describe you photography style for our readers.
In my photographique yourney i tried to combine passion and research, learning through notions from other photographers so i working whit various models handing different photographic genres from portrait to nud art.
Where do you get inspiration from?
I try to take inspiration from both going to see photographic exhibitions and looking for photographic books (McCurray, Salgado, Avedon, Penn, Newton) and trying to reinterpret some situations. I look for other ideas in the gallery on Instagram.
Studio, on location or both?
It depends on the type of photo you would like to make, so I answer both though the suggestion of shooting in a unique environment increases the pathos of the images.
Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?
Usually I start from a basic idea of the photo, but then I try to propose to the model also to give her interpretation in the pose, looking in portraits to enhance even places or colors that can frame the figure to bring out a detail or an expression. Playing with natural light I have often used to personalize photographs starting from a basic photo and then experimenting with some variations.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
Currently photography for me is a passion and remains a hobby. It has happened to develop collaborations but for the moment I cannot consider it my profession.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
Every session always leaves me something special, but the ones that left me the most satisfaction are those on the beach and in Venice.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
I started with a Canon EOS full-frame and I continue to shoot with Canon finding it very suitable for my photographic needs, generally using Canon 50 mm lenses.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
An aphorism Laozi teaches that "every long journey begins with a first step", so start immediately by following your passion, doing tests and experiments, humbly learning from the great photographers of the past and going to see contemporary exhibitions.
What do you think of our new magazine?
I consider it one of the best magazines because it allows you to get to know the talented work of photographers and models from different countries and with different styles, an important style to confront and increase your desire to collaborate and develop new photographic projects.
