5 questions: Daniele Mattioli

Daniele Mattioli is an italian photographer based in Shanghai, China. Before moving to Asia he lived and worked in different cities on different continents as for example Toronto, Vienna or Sydney. If you want to see more of his work visit http://www.danielemattioli.com. Daniele is represented by the Anzenberger Agency, at their website and at his photoshelter-account there are also some interesting photos.

1. Primarily you studied Chemistry and Biology. How did you get into photography?
I studied Chemistry and Biology but more or less was not for passion, i did always like images and i was always playing with an old camera, an instamatic with no film, i was shooting around the house, was my toy. When i finish studying i was play volleyball in a semi professional team but also visiting some photographer and work for them as assistant. Where i came from in Italy there were no school for photography and i was never pushed by anybody, i am from a small town in the middle of italy. I would think that it was a natural path, i follow an instinct.

2. Are you also taking photos in your private ambit, without earning money?
Most of the time, the best part is to take your personal photos, money comes from the commercial side of the profession. I think nowadays is perhaps better to make commercial work in order to have money to do your own personal project and not, like many people think, the other way round.

3. Wich of your works do you prefer the most? Why?
There are some project which i liked most, mostly are done in different times, without the rush to finish them , they are like an open book where there is still a new page to view. I would say perhaps my first project i liked was the Australians, a collection of photos which describe the sense of outdoor and amusement of the australians. I did in different location and different steps while i was living in Sydney. I do believe is the first idea of a project. The recently i am working on a Cambodia project which is a mix of photo from survived people (survived from the terrible years of the Khmer rouge regime) to locations which are also survived. It is an ongoing project, is not finish and perhaps next time i go back i will change completely,is something open to me, i tried to give strong colors, heavy composition, putting many thing inside each frame.. Is the beginning for me to work , finally, without the digital camera, using medium format. I might like it (perhaps when finished) because is a breaking point from many rules and structures i need to get rid off.Is a sort of experiment for me, i do also think that i dont really care if people like it or not...

4. What's the most difficult thing in a photographers life?
Well to balance your sensibility (which is necessary to produce perhaps good photos) and be tough and perhaps commercial when u need to survive out of it. Photography it is a practical art, u need to be artist in a way (and living like that) and be able to sell what u frame with a camera. Not easy.

5. Do you have some tips for young people who want to become a photojournalist?
First not to consider the word photojournalist as a magical word but a tough profession. I would say at 44 that photography can be achieved with the right mentality, knowing what you are shooting and why you are shooting are not simple questions but important base to work from. I would advise to build up a knowledge and sensibility, read a lot and not necessary about photography. Photography is the easiest action a person can do, is about to push in the right moment. But what lead to to push at that situation at that particular time is a fruit of your personal view of life and understanding of the culture u live in.

Photo from www.photoshelter.com