MIFA INTERVIEWS
Interview with Stefano Pasquini, MIFA New Talent of the Year 2015.
1. What’s your background?
I deal with photography for more than 40 years (now I am 55).
For a short time (it was the early 80's) I photographed for work,
then I took a different path. However, I never stopped following
"the noble Art": for me it's more than a hobby, it is a requirement.
2. What kind of gear do you use?
If I schedule a photographic tour, or when I follow a specific project, I use mainly a full-frame Nikon (D810). Otherwise, I shoot a Fuji X100s, which I always have with me.
3. How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?
Study, experimentation, try: a circle of "continuous improvement" ...
4. How has social media played a role in your photography?
Look at photos of many different authors is a fine way to improve themselves. Moreover, the opportunity to exchange views and update is priceless.
5. In the field, what are your settings?
Mainly photographing landscapes, I prefer to use manual settings and carry with me (almost always) a tripod. If the lighting situation requires it, sometimes I use ND grad filters setting live view on camera.
6. Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
I like very much the extreme weather phenomena. Furthermore, I believe that bad weather often leads to make better pictures.
7. What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
As I said before, I am 55 years old. So, after university, I had time (and often I had the need) to conduct many different trades. I built fireplaces and restored old paintings; I was sailing instructor and door to door book-seller. From each of these jobs I learned something. About 25 years ago I started working for a pharmaceutical company (now director), and I hope this is not my last job.
8. What food, drink, song inspires you?
I'm Italian: my passion for good food and good wine is innate. I choose the music to listen to depending on the situation, I like many different musical genres.
9. What is your best photography tip?
You can go to photograph a place for ten years in a row and never find the ideal lighting conditions.
Then one day, going there only by chance, you see a fantastic scene but do not have the camera with you.
So my advice is: be ready! The best camera in the world? The one you have with you.
10. What is your dream project?
Someone said that the secret to being happy is to find something you love to do, and then find someone who will pay you because you do it. Photography is all my life passion: I hope that it can become, one day, my new job.
