Please introduce yourself
My name is Leonardo Fiori, I am a fine art photographer, videographer, and designer. My studies, however, began as a self-taught programmer. I recently graduated in Graphic Design and New Media at Accademia Italiana in Florence.
How did you get interested in photography?
Inspired by the beauty offered by my homeland, I originally developed a strong interest in night and landscape photography. For a short period of time, I focused on astrophotography, documenting space through the skies of my land: the Valley of Garfagnana. I later moved to narrative, cinematic and documentary photography.
Do you have an artistic/photographic background?
My grandad was a hobbyist photographer. I inherited from him a lot of beautiful vintage analog cameras. The spark for photography as a full-time passion perhaps began the very day I found all of his cameras under an old bed.
Which artist/photographer inspired your art?
This photographic series has been strongly influenced by Andrei Tarkovsky: his films have changed my conception of cinema, and life. Tarkovsky had a very special relationship with Tuscany, my land. This relationship can be seen a lot in films such as Nostalgia, and his way of looking at this territory has certainly influenced my approach to photography.
How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph?
A lot: each photograph is meticulously planned before being taken. I carry out many inspections to get in tune with the place I will have to photograph. Often not by taking pictures, but just by looking.
Could you please tell us something about your technique and creating process?
My process begins by juxtaposing a moodboard of images on my digital notepad on the iPad. I love using the iPad because it allows me to manage the screen space as if it were paper in a notebook. In this way I do not waste paper, working in a more eco-friendly way. I continue carrying out numerous inspections in the various locations, until I find the one that satisfies me the most. Finally I use my Sony A7S II to take the picture. I often use a 35mm lens, closing the aperture a lot. My dream would be to be able to use an optical bench, but the costs are prohibitive and it is very difficult to take photos with it.
What do you do in your life besides photography?
I just graduated in Graphic Design and New Media at Accademia Italiana in Florence. Currently I am working on a project for the promotion of my territory called Garfagnanadream.it, maintained and created by me and a few other colleagues.
What future plans do you have? What projects would you like to accomplish?
I wish I could continue to dedicate time to fine-art projects like Radici. I am studying fashion photography and would love to be able to make photography my full time job.
Website: https://leonardofiori.it/radici/