Interview: Photographer Marino Mergola (Italy)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Born 45 years ago in central Italy from two southern hearts, I will live for a long time in the north near Milan and then move to Bologna, a city that I adore immensely.

From an early age I approached computer programming and for a long time it will be my only passion. Growing up, I meet the beauty of the images and the music that will never leave me.

I have been an electronic music producer for many years, now I mainly play the piano. The image brings me closer to Photoshop, a program that will facilitate me a lot when I meet portrait and digital photography.

Over the years I have known some great masters of portrait who have taught me most of all delicacy.

I love Sushi, 70s and 80s anime, videogames from all eras. Anyone think of Japan? A dream of mine that has always been, I hope to realize it soon.

How and when did you get into photography?

I had two beginnings with photography, a very young start, I gave a reflex camera to my girlfriend but in the end it was always me who used it.

I immediately discovered that I was well-versed and for 20 years I was convinced of it but I never deepened, even for a long time I didn't have a camera and it didn't bother me.

A second start about 2 years ago, a friend asked me for a photo portrait and to get it right I began to read up. the encounter with the portrait.

In love. Obsessed. I haven't stopped since and I don't think I will. Now for me it is oxygen.

What does photography mean to you?

I can't give a meaning to the term photography intended not as an object but as a general art.

For me photography has become just a photo portrait, and a photo portrait for me is a meeting between two entities at that precise moment.

I don't think it's possible to photograph a person's soul in a short time, not even psychologists can sometimes do it after years of hard work.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

Simplicity. Less but done well.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Obviously by the great photographers of both the past and the present. And a lot also from their interviews, where I find a lot of advice especially on reading.

Books, films, exhibitions, museums, nature, the sea, the mountains, cities, people's stories, love, everything that moves me is inspiration for me.

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

Yes, a good start is very important. Then during the journey you have to make detours where you often find the unexpected, the true beauty.

Studio, on location or both?

I prefer to photograph in the studio, where I have fewer distractions.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

A professional, albeit with the heart of a hobbyist.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

A short time ago I photographed a girl standing still one in front of the other without speaking, with the background music the theme of "the legend of 1900". I cried a lot.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

The camera must be an extension of our eye and therefore must be more of a sensation.

I never look at the technical features that much. In fact I have been using a Fuji xt2 with 16-55 f2.8 for many years and I will be using it for a long time since I am still very happy with it.

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

Follow your heart, what you feel, forget about those who tell you that it is a saturated world. Beauty is never saturated.

Just try to figure out if that's what you want, try to really understand it. At that point, do what you understand.

What do you think of our new magazine?

Giving visibility to especially emerging artists is always important. A magazine to support.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marino.mergola

instagram: www.instagram.com/marinomergola_