Valeria Tofanelli
‘I discovered the true potential of photography, because I realized that it gave me the opportunity to freely interpret the reality that surrounds me.’
Really glad to feature an interview with Valeria Tofanelli, an Italian photographer based in Roma.
I discovered Valeria thanks to Michel Goldrei, who mentioned her in his interview as a ‘slightly-less-well-known-but-surely-just-as-stratospheric photographers’. When I discovered her work, I was really impressed by how she manages to create scenes that combine reality and fiction.
For Travelling Light Club, she is sharing her photographic journey, what inspires her and the favourite photos in her portfolio.
Valeria Tofanelli © All Rights Reserved.
Vincent Dupont-Blackshaw: How did you get into photography?
Valeria Tofanelli: I have always been fascinated by photography, but for a long time I used it only as a tool to photograph the places I visited during my travels. Once back home, the camera remained in the closet waiting for the next trip. In 2016 I started shooting in the city where I live, Rome, because I wanted to carve out a few moments for myself. It was in that year that I discovered the true potential of photography, because I realized that it gave me the opportunity to freely interpret the reality that surrounds me. Since then, I haven’t stopped.
V.D.B.: In a world where everyone is taking pictures all the time, do you remember the first time you felt like a photographer?
V.T.: I don’t know exactly when I felt like a photographer, I know for sure that since 2016 I have realized that photography is probably the means through which I feel more comfortable in expressing what I feel and what I live daily. I am also fascinated by writing and painting, but only with photography I feel completely myself.
Valeria Tofanelli © All Rights Reserved.
V.D.B.: Is there a photographer whose work you particularly appreciate?
V.T.: Since the beginning, photographers like Gueorgui Pinkhassov, Trent Parke and Harry Gruyaert have always been references and still are today. Others have also joined in time. Just to name a few, Jonas Bendiksen, Narelle Autio, Bieke Depoorter, Nan Goldin, Bruce Davidson.
V.D.B.: Is there a photo of this particular photographer that you wish you had taken yourself?
V.T.: For each of these authors there are photos that really blow my mind every time I see them. As an example I can indicate this by Pinkhassov or this by Bendiksen.
V.D.B.: Is your work influenced by other artworks or artists (painters, directors, musicians, writers, etc.)?
V.T.: I think that every photographer, even unconsciously, is influenced by experiences that have impressed him and this also applies to me. Someone seeing my photos found analogies with David Hawkney, Edward Hopper, or with painting or classical sculpture.
Valeria Tofanelli © All Rights Reserved.
V.D.B.: How do you define your work?
V.T.: A free interpretation of what surround me, a mirror of what a I feel when I take a picture, and a way to feel connected with the world and the people I photograph.
V.D.B.: What equipment do you use?
J.B.: I use a Fujifilm xt20 with 18-55mm lens. I do post production with Photoshop or Lightroom.
V.D.B.: What are your three favourite photos in your portfolio?
V.T.: It is always difficult for me to choose between my photos ☺. I choose these not so much because I like them more than others, but mainly because they bring back good memories.
V.D.B.: What do you want viewers to take away from your work?
V.T.: I think every photographer’s dream is to inspire others with their work. In my small way, I hope to be able to express a personal point of view in representing reality and maybe bring out some emotion in those who look at my photos
V.D.B.: What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?
V.T.: Simply enjoy the journey because it can reserve wonderful surprises and unexpected experiences
V.D.B.: Are you a frequent traveller?
V.T.: Before the pandemic I traveled more, now I hope to return to travel as before.
V.D.B.: Does travel play a role in your photographic practice?
V.T.: The journey is a complete experience for many aspects and obviously also stimulates the photographic activity. Honestly, when I’m on travel, I want to have fun without thinking too much. When I’m in Rome I try to focus on possible ideas to develop, while I travel I photograph everything that stimulates my curiosity.
V.D.B.: What is your favourite place in the world?
J.B.: I think I don’t have a specific place in particular. There are several places that I have visited and that has impressed me so much that I want to come back several times. However in most cases they are places bathed by the sea. I am sure that the sea, wherever it is and in any season of the year, has always been an important source of inspiration
V.D.B.: Any idea of your next trip?
J.B.: Too many actually, I have to make some order.
Valeria Tofanelli © All Rights Reserved.
V.D.B.: What are you working on at the moment? What is your next project?
V.T.: I have just started working on an idea about the city where I live, Rome. I will see over time how it will evolve.
V.D.B.: Do you have a book, a film, a series, a music album, a work of art to recommend?
VT.: I read mostly novels. I remember how fascinated I was when at 15 years old I read for the first time “On the road” by Kerouac. Today I really appreciate authors like Alessandro D'Avenia, Margaret Mazzantini and Orhan Pamuk. Among the directors I can mention Giuseppe Tornatore, Woody Allen or Wes Anderson. For the last project I made together with the photographer Lorenzo Catena, entitled Mareterno, we also deepened Wim Wenders and Italian neorealist cinema and we found them very inspiring.