Interview: Photographer Giulio Irving (Italy)

Can you tell us a little about you?

I am a fifty-something portrait photographer from Rome, Italy. I shoot mostly portrait, glamour, and sometimes nude.

How and when did you get into photography?

Tha goes back a looong time ago. I started toying with cameras more than 40 years ago and I never stopped since then

What does photography mean to you?

I consider photography an art, and in this sense I try to convey emotions through images. I had highs and low in my love for photography along the years, but neve really left me.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

As a portrait photographer I mostly like to work in studio, with simple lights. I look for contrast, more than full light, with due exceptions. I think that 90% of photographer’s skill is the ability to involve models in the shooting, so I pay much more attention to the mood and the person than to technicalities, which are important of course.

Where do you get inspiration from?

When I shoot portrait models are my inspiration. I like to tell stories with my images, but those are not MY stories, but the stories of the person I have in front. So my job is to make sure they are safe and trustfully so that they will tell me interesting stories with their eyes and their bodies

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

Sometimes. More often not. I like to be surprised from myself and from the models. Most of the times I decide the location and the light, then I take what comes.

Studio, on location or both?

Studio 80%. In summer of course percentage changes in favrou of natural light but studio still is important.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I make very little money from photography. I have a full time job, moreover I am not interested in events (weddings etc).

So you can consider me a hobbyist but that has its own advantages: I have no obligations, I shoot whenever I feel like, the person I want and have no due time for delivery.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

Very tough question. There have been many productive sessions, with many good photos, I am too old to recall them or make a favourite list.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Nikon since forever. I have other cameras for specific tasks, such as for film photography, but most of my cameras are Nikon which is nice because I can exchange same lenses with different bodies, either digital or film. In studio 95% of my photos are shot with a 85mmF1.8. beautiful lens and allows me to be at the right distance from the model: not too close, not too far. On location I mostly use a 105mmF2DC.

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

Learn from the masters, ignore advices from the social, and shoot every single day until you find your way to do things.

What do you think of our new magazine?

I like the opportunity for photographers and models to showcase their work outside the social networks which have great limitations.

facebook.com/giulio.irving

500px.com/jal2014

instagram.com/giulioirving

vk.com/giulioirving