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INTERVIEW

November 19, 2021

WHERE LIFE LEADS

Photography by Mattia Bullo
Interview by Melanie Meggs

Italian street photographer Mattia Bullo generally looks to cause a reaction in his subjects instead of just being a witness of a scene. Shooting close and imposing his presence on them, Mattia waits to see what evolves, all whilst trying to maintain a humoristic look.

In this series, during a camping trip through Croatia, Mattia explored the fascinating contradictions of a country split between the evident desire to transform its international image to EU standards (in hope that this strategy will higher their chances to become a member of the Union) and the chaotic energy of centuries of Balkan traditions that so naturally emerges from these people.

“This series is a documentary series of Croatia. I am very tied to the Balkans, half of my family is Slovenian. I spent three years of my childhood in Skopje, Macedonia. I grew up watching Emir Kusturica’s films. I am deeply in love with these beautiful countries and their amazing people: such a unique mixture of Slavic, Turkish, Greek and Roman cultures and languages. However, when I see how these countries are portrayed internationally, I often find that there is so much attention to where they come from and very little to where they are trying to go.

This series, which is very likely over, was shot with one question in mind: what comes next for this country?”

IN CONVERSATION WITH MATTIA BULLO

THE PICTORIAL LIST: Mattia please tell us about yourself. How did you become interested in photography?

MATTIA BULLO: I was born in Udine, Italy, and I currently live here as well. As a child I’ve lived in numerous places around Europe such as Berlin, Skopje and Venice. I initially started studying photography through cinema, where I always saw light behave in such interesting, variable and unexpected ways, often being not only a legitimate character but the protagonist of a scene. My interest for the phenomenon kept growing up to the point where I eventually had to start experimenting on my own. Slowly, ideas began to grow, knowledge started to pile up and I learned to love the photographic practice. Also, the book “Creative Photography” by legendary Italian photographer Franco Fontana really helped me find my way into photography as a beginner, suggesting very fun and effective exercises that I quickly became passionate about.

TPL: What does street photography mean to you? Describe your style. Where or how do you find inspiration?

MB: At this point, street photography has become necessary to me and to my well-being. It acts as medicine against sloth and apathy. It is a constant reminder that the world is such an amazing place if you know where to look. My personal style evolves around high contrast black and white photography, in which I like to introduce humorous and sometimes surreal elements. I like to photograph in a very proactive way, often hunting for subjects and scenes. When I see a picture I immediately start running towards it. As far as inspiration goes, I really don’t enjoy waiting around for it to magically strike me, often times I simply start taking the pictures with a very clear idea in mind, which serves as foundation, slowly letting the streets guide me wherever they want. I’m very careful for anything that might surprise me. I have always thought that inspiration only arrives once you are very, very deep into the work.

TPL: Talk to us more about your series of images. What is it about? When did the project and the idea for it begin? Is it an ongoing series? What do you want the viewer to experience when they look at this series?

MB: This series is a documentary series of Croatia. I am very tied to the Balkans, half of my family is Slovenian. I spent three years of my childhood in Skopje, Macedonia. I grew up watching Emir Kusturica’s films. I am deeply in love with these beautiful countries and their amazing people: such a unique mixture of Slavic, Turkish, Greek and Roman cultures and languages. However, when I see how these countries are portrayed internationally, I often find that there is so much attention to where they come from and very little to where they are trying to go.

This series, which is very likely over, was shot with one question in mind: what comes next for this country?

TPL: What have been some of your favourite memories or moments in your photography journey? What have you personally gained from your experiences?

MB: There have been many amazing moments: hilarious conversations with hilarious people; playing with strangers through the camera, both adults and children; exploring the wildlife of the mediterranean shore; swimming in the darkest waters under the full moon and waking up to the noise of squirrels playing on the trees above me. However, at the end of the day, doing photography is what has driven me to this adventure and what I have enjoyed the most about it. Hopefully photography will drive me to many more amazing places in the future.

TPL: When you are out shooting - how much of it is instinctual versus planned?

MB: In general, my work method is the following: I plan everything about the photos with precision, I schedule where, when and how I will photograph, sometimes I will force myself to adopting some limitations as an exercise, and I always decide it in advance. However, I never decide in advance what to photograph for the following reason: while I study photography, I use photography to study myself. It is always very fascinating for me to scroll through the pictures that I have taken and try to figure out why I chose a certain subject and a certain angle, and it teaches me about myself arguably more than anything.

TPL: What are some tips or advice you would give yourself if you started street photography all over again?

MB: My personal opinion is that to improve in photography the only way is to actually take the pictures, as many as necessary. Thus, my first advice would simply be to take more pictures. Taking a look at great photographers helps very much as well: studying their photographs, reading their books. There is also tons of instructional material on the internet: interviews, lectures, conferences, etc...

Something useful that I would tell myself would be to start making use of this stuff as early and as much as possible. In other words: study, study, study.

At this point, street photography has become necessary to me and to my well-being. It acts as medicine against sloth and apathy. It is a constant reminder that the world is such an amazing place if you know where to look.

TPL: Do you have any favourite artists or photographers you would like to share with us, and the reason for their significance?

MB: Franco Fontana’s book about creative photography is what got me introduced to this subject, also his photographs played a major role in my artistic education, even though he is technically considered a landscape photographer. Bruce Gilden is another big influence on me, his unscrupulous methods in particular, even though he appears to often be criticised for them. Dating further back in time, WeeGee is another photographer whose work really strikes me to this day. Referring to other artists unrelated to photography, if I had to pick the ones that have been most influential on my personal education, they probably would be contemporary japanese novelist Murakami Haruki and, obviously, J.R.R. Tolkien.

TPL: Does the equipment you use help you in achieving your vision in your photography? What camera do you use? Do you have a preferred lens/focal length?

MB: I carry a Canon EOS M10, lovely lightweight camera. In general, I prefer wider angles such as the 22mm. According to the situation, I sometimes might switch to the 50mm to do geometry, but I never go higher than that. In reality, a wide angle lens is probably the only thing that is necessary for my photography. After all, what really matters to me is the content of the photograph more than the technical details around it.

TPL: What are some of your goals as an artist or photographer? Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?

MB: Within five years it would be amazing to make a living out of photography. I also will most certainly attempt to make my way into the film industry, at one point. If I ever get the chance to be a D.O.P for a feature film, that would be a dream come true for me. In the meantime, my attention will be directed to simply be a better photographer.