Interview with DIEGO GARZIA, ITALY
With film photography, you connect your eyes and soul with the subject.
Please tell us about yourself and a brief story on how you got into film photography?
Diego: I'm 35 years old and I'm from Naples, South of Italy. I started shooting with film using a reflex camera when I was 14. I used to be an archaeologist but now I'm busy with cinematography work. After a long time of shooting with digital, I thought I needed to create my pictures from the 'roots'. Then I went back to shoo film as well as develop film, and print.
What type of film do you use and what camera do you use it with? Why do you prefer these?
Diego: I prefer BW film, because, for me, digital can never duplicate film's beautiful output. I use film with medium to high contrast, like ILFORD HP5 And FPp4. I have a Leica M6 and a Rolleiflex 3.5f Planar that I love. The medium format, for me, is great for portrait, and the Leica 35mm for street. It's that better way for me.
What do you think film has that digital doesn't have?
Diego: With digital you lose the physical contact with photography, unlike with film— from shooting with it to printing the photograph.
Do you print your own photographs or are you comfortable having them printed in a lab?
Diego: I developed my first roll out of curiosity to see what I've shot. I had it printed in a lab. Though the result was good, I don't feel it's mine! So then I decided to print my shots in my house.
What motivates you to continue making photographs with film?
Diego: I continue to shoot with film because I feel my photography is mine just like an artist. There's satisfaction in creating from zero. I learn to wait for that good moment without rushing. Wait to see the results with patience. I learn to listen myself.
Are there any photographers that influenced your way of making pictures?
Diego: I love Sebastiao Salgado, I love his works.
What do you think your future is like with film photography?
Diego: I'm happy and I really enjoy shooting with film. I hope to continue shooting with it.
What’s your dream photography project?
Diego: My dream is to travel around the world and use 1 roll for each. I like to cover cultural and ethnic minorities. I know it's a dream, but I will never stop hoping!
Any good words you want to impart for those who want to try film photography? What must they learn before venturing into this format?
Diego: Try, try, try, and never surrender.
Diego is currently busy printing photographs for his future restaurant in Naples.
Follow Diego on Instagram, and check his impressive portfolio posted there.
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Be considerate. All photographs shown on this page are the sole property of Diego Garzia. He devoted his times and worked so hard in creating these photographs. You are not allowed to copy, download, reproduce, reprint, modify, distribute, publicly display, license, transfer or sell content retrieved from this page in any way, for any public or commercial use or to any commercial source, including other websites, without prior written permission of Diego Garzia. You don’t want to go to jail, do you?
Well now, if you are a passionate film photographer and would like to be interviewed? I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email at mapamelvin@gmail.com with the subject, "Interview me", and share your story, thoughts, and work related to film photography. I’ll get back to you as soon as I receive your request for an interview.
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Cheers!
Mel