Interview with Vanessa Riina

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi, here is Vanessa Riina, I was born and live in Palermo, Sicily’s capital, in Italy. I’m 53 years old and I work in the field of telecommunications. At the moment photography is a strong passion; I hope one day to be able to devote myself only to it

How did you get into photography?

When I was a little child my father had created a darkroom inside a small bathroom which was accessed from the wardrobe’s door in my parents’ bedroom. This was my encounter with photography. A fairy tale.

How do you approach storytelling through your photos?

Because of my work I usually go out on weekends to walk and photograph. Walking I wait for something to catch my eyes, moments of stolen or found looks, smiles, freedom, comedy. The street  is rich, full, funny, serious, tragic.

How do you define photography in your own terms?

Photography is the inner need to capture a feeling through your eyes.

What do you try to show with your art?

I shot for myself, to satisfy my need but by sharing my shots with the world I hope to arouse empathy. Just like it happens to me when I look at other people’s photos

What do you think makes your work unique?

 If my pics arouse emotions in others, it means that my work has reached its own uniqueness

What gear do you use?

I started with analogic cameras and then used the first technological devices, the first digital cameras, then smartphones. Today my trusted companion is an iphone 15 pro max

What are your favourite subjects to shoot?

I love to photograph everything that gives me feeling but for a year and a half I have been dedicating myself to street photography assiduously

What are your favourite photography genre and why?

I am perpetually looking for street photos, moments of stolen or found looks, smiles, freedom, comedy. The street is rich, full, funny, serious, tragic. For me, the road is everything.

Is there a type of photography or genre you haven’t explored yet but you would like to?

I'm very impressed by the night photos in urban centres, the colours create really interesting effects. Night street photography has a different face because the lights come into play a lot. 

What does photography mean to you?

 I photograph out of need, to feel good, to find myself

How did you find your photography style?

During Covid’s period I started to go out on walking. I realized how rich the street is

Why do you take photos?

It’s an inner need. I can't give it up. when I can't photograph because I'm caught up in a thousand other things to comply with, I miss it

What are your thoughts on AI in photography?

I think that the use of AI denaturalizes the essence of making photography

Any tips for beginners?

Follow your dreams, always. Never give up. There is always time to live owns passions

How much gear do you usually carry with you?

Only my iphone 15 pro max and a power bank

How important is lighting in photography?

I think that there are not rules carved in stone. It depends on what message you want to transfer. A pic is your art.

How important is composition?

I don't like technicalities, I don't like perfections and I don't look for the perfect photo of the alignment of the planets, while recognizing their beauty; Also in this case it depends on what you have to say.

What editing software do you use and how long it take you to edit a shot?

Apple’s inside software or Lightroom for mobile or Snapseed

Who are some artist that inspire you?

Not one in a specific way. I look around the work of all famous photographer and I think that there are many other people's photos of great values. I let that all this pics give me inspiration, particular cuts, points of view and plays of light. It's so lovely to see so many good photographs. There is a great freedom of expression that fills and satisfies. It's nice to be able to share and learn from others.

What is one thing that makes a photo stand out?

I think that this depends on who is seeing that pic. I mean If I love b&n maybe I’ll not appreciate pics in colours. For me, ie, sometimes some pics in b&w make me anxious but other times I stare at them. I can assume that what makes a photo stand out is its capacity to catch your eyes just for more than 10 seconds. If you fix your eyes for 10 seconds on a pic it means it’s a quite good pic. The power of 10 seconds

Thank you very much for reading,

You can find Vanessa on her instagram as @riinavanessa