Interview with Street Photographer Umberto Verdoliva

This time We have discovered a fantastic Street Photographer from Italy, whose pictures are perfect example for street photography. A Subtle Poetry between light and shadows, a masterclass vision in choosing the subjects on streets. Here we have some questions for him. The Angles and Geometries he had achieved with his pictures are mesmerizing and makes one wants to go out and just shoot some. Listen to what Umberto has to speak about his photography and much more.

Also take a look at more of his pictures and explore much into the world of street photography.

A few words about yourself?

I live in Treviso, northern Italy, but I was born near Naples in 1961. Work with a big international construction company and I moved from time to time in various cities depending on where you have to build. The photography fills everything of my free time. I have a degree in urban planning.

Why Street Photography?

For me the street photography is the essence of photography. I could not do anything else. The continuous observation of the people around me makes me a better understanding of the man and at the same time I improve myself as man.

Can you please share some thoughts on your various street projects?

Street photography is generally very difficult to practice even if it is accessible to all not everyone can practice it without love for the people. I think it’s important to be able to show something that others do not seeing. My projects aim to show this.

What would you usually look on a street to capture?

Do not try to denounce situations, moments that can not seek political or social interpretations of what is happening around me. I have a simple vision, as a theater photographer, I want to take the show that is going on the air and, as in theater or the movies, if you like the show, of course, comes a round of applause and emotions will remain in these small, they make you hope, all of this definitely improves you as a man.

The Shadows, Lights and Geometry seem to dominate a viewer in your pictures. Any reasons?

When I started shooting I was very attracted to FAN HO, Playing with light, to be master of it, has always fascinated me. Probably also my studies have influenced my way of composing the image.

One Funny incident on street with a Photograph?

Every time I can take a significant moment I’m really enjoying. Often I smile seeing some things happen and sometimes I talk to people who have been involved.

For Umberto what does it take to make a perfect street photograph?

How to do street is as varied. Also depends on the history and the context in which they live. There is no perfect way to make street photography. To photograph is also show themselves and each of us is different so different are the ways of photographing.

Your Inspiration and passion behind your constant drive?

I have a great passion for street photography which increases more and more with the passage of time. I’d like to advertise street photography in Italy where it is scarcely considered, but takes time.

In your street captures, there seem to be a silence amidst the actions happening around. Any thoughts?

I live in a city very elegant, discreet and silent. The way I shoot is influenced by this environment. Reflects much more melancholy and loneliness of the big cities, full of people and noisy, where the interaction and all moments are easier to see.

According to Umberto, what are the essential qualities a Street photographer should have?

The main quality you need is love to the people. Be attentive to their actions, have respect them. Commit to capture significant aspects with patience, intelligence, sensitivity.

Quick Questions:

• What is your idea of happiness?
  See the smiles of all those that I love around me
• What is your greatest fear?
  I have too much faith to have fear
• What do you consider your greatest achievement?
  Be clear with himself always
• Where would you like to live?
  In a big city full of people… New York!
• What is your most marked characteristic?
  In photography, The clean composition. Iin life, The irony and calm
• What do you most appreciate in your friends?
  When them understand each other without having to explain
• Who are your heroes in real life?
  Ordinary people who live on a shoestring
• What is Love?
  True love no makes us blind but more capable of grasping the values of the world.
• Your favorite photographers?
  Henri Cartier-Bresson, André Kertész, Robert Doisneau, Fan Ho, Elliott Erwitt, Vivian Mayer and other..
• What is your favorite motto?
  The camera is just a pen

Thanks again for this wonderful interview with 121clicks, any final thoughts for street photography aspirants?

Thank you for the opportunity you gave me to talk about street photography and congratulations for what you have accomplished.

You can find Umberto Verdoliva on the Web :

• Website
• Street Photographers
• Facebook
• Flickr

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted to Umberto Verdoliva. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.