Feature Interview - Life is Art: Manuela Iodice

I literally just found this wonderful photographer the other day, and as soon as I had I knew I had to interview her, her images evoke a feeling of freedom and calm :)

So here she is!



1. Fill me in on your background, where are you from and how did you get in to photography?

I am a 22 years old Italian girl from Naples, and I study economics in Rome, but I am currently in Lyon for a semester enjoying my Erasmus experience. My real passion is all about art, including photography, illustrations and fashion design. Infact, I am now following a master course in Fashion and Luxury Management.



2. Who has influenced you the most in terms of photography?

It is difficult to say. There is no a specific person or a famous photographer who has inspired me. Instead, I have collected and observed thousands and thousands of pictures around the web, from famous or not famous artists that let me to understand what I'd love to create.
 




3. What is your favourite style of photography (Self portraiture? Fashion? Documentary)?

After I have started my 52 project (unfortunately not finished), I reach to the conclusion that what I really want in my photos are people. So I can say that I prefer portraits (and fashion portraits).





4. What is your process when taking photo's, from getting ideas to editing?

I am mainly inspired by music, movies or a particular place where I can imagine a series of photos. Or by a particular mood that I want to reproduce. Usually I think to what kind of photo I want to obtain, writing all the ideas in a little notebook, including all the details like dresses, accessories, make-up, objects I can use and so on. What really happens to me when I start take pictures and I am in front of the model, is that I forget almost all I have thought before about what the model should do: I mainly follow my instinct.



5. What are your tools of the trade?

I use a Nikon D50 and a Nikon D90, with 50mm 1.8, 17-50mm 2.8 and a 30mm 1.4. Sometimes I also use an old Nikon f601 inherited by my father.



6. Where do you hope to go with your photography?

Actually I don't know. It’s just a passion, and I don’t think it will be a work, even if I would be very excited to be engaged for some fashion work!






7. Why do you think people are drawn to photography?

I think that each person who needs to express himself, to exteriorize the desire to create something, at the end choose a means. Photography is just a means like others.



 
8. What draws you to a particular model/subject? What do you look for in a model?

I have an aesthetics vision of the world. So I am attracted by the beauty, but it's just a little part, I look for depth, emotion, eyes that can reach the spectator.



9. Who are some other photographers you admire?

I love finding new artists on flickr, tumblr etc. So now I really appreciate the works of Julia Trotti, Sara Mautone, Nirrimi, Laura Makabresku, Marie Zucker, Gloria Marigo, Amber Ortolano and so on.
Between the "big" I love Annie Leibovitz.







10. What is your best tip to taking a striking photo?

Actually I don't, I don't feel an "expert" of photography, I have so much to learn. One thing that often makes the difference in a good photo is the right light. A beautiful light can give to you wonderful pictures.








11. Your photos seem to incorporate your surroundings and the elements, is this a big part of your style?

Yes and no. It depends. Often I am just concentrated on the person, and consequently I take really close up pictures. Other times I prefer to include the environment to tell something "more".






12. What is your favourite photo taken by another photographer?

It is a very hard choice. But I think this...







It is the kind of photo that is related to all that feelings that are close to my sensitivity and that I would to express one day in my pictures.

13. What is your favourite photo you have taken?






It is one of the first photos that had a lot of positive comments, it was my first photo to be published in an online magazine, and expresses the imaginary that I want to reproduce in my pictures.

14. What are some of your favourite films, books and musicians?

I have many favourite movies, some of them are: The Virgin Suicides, Edward the Scissorhands, Pulp Fiction, Annie Hall...
My favourite books are: 1984 by George Orwell, Invisible Monster by Chuck Palahniuk, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.
Finally I love The Cure, The Smiths, Pink Floyd, Joy Division, Nirvana.








15. What has been your biggest achievement so far with your photography?

My first publication on a magazine and on photovogue.








 16. Do you think it’s hard to be original in photography? How do you keep your ideas original and fresh?

Actually I don't care so much, however not now. I consider myself "new" in photography, and I just do what I like to do. Maybe after I am going to think about.





17. Which photographer do you think I should interview next and why?

Maybe Julia Trotti, she is so good in fashion photography!









18. Do you often change a lot of the original photo in Photoshop?

Not really.





19. Do you think you have an original style that is you own?

I think not, but I aspire to have a style that distinguishes me.






20. Do you prefer studio or location?

Location.






21. If you could photograph any person alive or dead who would it be and why?

Mia Farrow at the "Rosmary's Baby" times and Kirsten Dunst because of the nostalgia expressed by her eyes.






22. Tell us a bit about your drawings/artwork?

I like drawing since I was a child. I have tried different styles, different subjects, and different tools. Now I mainly portrait young ladies, or do fashion illustration.





23. Give us the skinny, what's the next project you've got coming up?

I have no projects right now!






24. Which actor would play you in the film of your life?

I love Keira Knightley.






25. What did you want to grow up to be when you were a kid?

Many things: a poet, a veterinary, a stylist...




Thank you so much Manuela!!

Please check out more of Manueka's amazing work on her Flickr and her Tumblr