When
and with what equipment have you taken your first underwater
shot?
I
have taken my first shots in 1984 with a Nikonos 4 , a 35
mm lens and a Nikonos strobe.
How did your underwater photography passion start?
It started as soon as I started diving. I simply wanted
to reproduce what I was seeing underwater.
What
does the underwater photography represent to you?
Underwater
photography likewise landscapes and natural photography
is extremely fascinating. I appreciate those photographers
who are able to reproduce different situations and subjects
with a touch of originality.
Amongst the numerous prizes and recognitions you received,
which one gave you most satisfaction?
Several prizes at different times have marked my evolution
as a photographer. Amongst them surely the one that gave
me most satisfaction is the title of world champion obtained
in Cuba in 1992.
What
type of images do you prefer and which lens stimulates you
most?
I
prefer wide angle scenes, the 16 mm being my preferred lens.
I consider that the 18 mm is a very good lens too.
When
you started taking pictures, did you have a point of reference?
May be a person? And
where have you learnt the techniques to succeed?
At
the beginning my point of reference was Kurt Amsler, the
famous Swiss photographer. Later on I started analysing
the technique adopted by David Doubilet, who is still able
to astonish me with fantastic pictures after so many years….
anyhow, all in all I consider myself a self –taught
photographer.
What
equipment do you use to take your pictures?
I
use 3 Nikon F100, 2 Seacam housings with the various domes,
the 60mm, 105mm, 18mm, 16mm, 17-35mm, Flash Sea & Sea
200, 300, 30.
Many
people may have asked you advises on the where and the what
and the how to take pictures underwater. Yourself, what
is the best advise you have ever received?
An
advise I do remind is to avoid taking just nice pictures.
A picture must be meaningful, must transmit a feeling. We
all know, photography is a mean to transmit feelings via
images.
Based
on your experience, what are the fundamental components
to make a "perfect" picture?
Difficult
to explain perfection. If you have a good equipment, with
clear water and a lot of light it is easier to get closer
to perfection. But one can make interesting pictures even
in poor conditions, it is just tougher.
Is
there a shot that you particularly remember?
Difficult
to say….it depends on so many things. I particularly
remember a series of shots I took at the whales. Getting
close and taking pictures of a 30-40 metres mammal while
he is looking at you is something that makes you feel a
strong emotion.
The
place or the dive that you liked most?
Two
places stand on top: Papua New Guinea and the Antarctic.
On
the other hand, the place or dive that disappointed you
most?
For a photographer the biggest disappointment
is to fail to take the pictures he wants. If you are after
a specific fish, then the success depends on the fish itself.
I went to South Africa diving for 2 weeks twice a day. I
was after a Tiger Shark , well, after 20 dives I didn’t
manage to see one.
In
your long experience as underwater explorer have you ever
been in a difficult situation, scared, or in danger?
Actually in a few occasions. The first
that comes to mind is while diving with a semi-closed re-breather.
While taking pictures I ended up exceeding the maximum allowed
depth of
40 metres for a period long enough to force me through an
unplanned very long decompression. When I got out of the
water I was really relieved. I think I was lucky that time.
It is obvious to say that these things should never happen,
but sometimes it does….
To
conclude, what is on top of your dreams?
Well, first to publish a second book. Then to visit and
take pictures of all those sites and fishes that I have
not been able to do yet.
Franco,
many thanks for your time and kindness. Good luck!
