Lorenzo Formicola is a talented Italian
photographer based in Los Angeles, California. We asked him a few questions about his life and work.
All About Photo: Tell us about your first introduction to photography. What drew you into this world?
Lorenzo Formicola: My first introduction to photography was in 2011 during a morning lesson in my university, the lesson was talking about Oliviero Toscani.
I remember that I was impressed about the strong message and criticism of those
image.
The message of those photos was more powerful on any words.
The same day I thought, If I have something to say, I'll say it through my images.
AAP:Where did you study photography?
I studied photography in Rome, in the Rome Center of Photography, three years
academy.
Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
I immediately specialized in studio photography.
Do you have a mentor or role model?
I've never followI've never follow a famous photographer as inspiration, I think it's
distracting, but I still think that there is nothing left to be discovered in photography,
to be revisited perhaps.
What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out?
The best advice I got from my prof of the Academy was: Don't think about money
now, just do whatever you like.
How do you prepare for your projects? Do you picture beforehand in your
mind the images you take?
My projects come from a visual input that I then develop aesthetically.
How would you describe your style?
I can describe my style clean.
What equipment do you use?
I shot mostly with Mamiya RZ 67, with a digital back, what I like is the long time you
have to take to take a picture, it helps you think more about what you're taking.
Do you spend a lot of time editing your work?
The hardest part of my job is the editing, I can spend a week sometimes. I like to do
by my self before show it to anyone.
What compliment touched you the most or what do you think is your biggest
accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment for now is been publish on Vogue Italia.
What advice would you give someone who would like to become a
photographer today?
My advice to a beginner photographer is to follow his deep inspiration and make it
real.
Favorite(s) photographer(s)?
My favorite photographers are Nick Knight and Solve Sundsbo.
What are your upcoming projects?
My last project is made in Japan, a transition between city and people of Tokyo. It's a
fashion project.