When
and with what equipment have you taken your first underwater
shot?
I
took my first underwater shot while snorkeling in Greece
in an archeological dive site, using a Nikonos III and an
Ikelite strobe.
How did your underwater photography passion start?
Simply to create a new branch to my artistic path, after
more than 20 years of regular outdoor photography.
What
does the underwater photography represent to you?
Underwater
photography is a component of my artistic work, it is an
ever lasting research of wonderful images and scenes that
the underwater world makes available to us.
Amongst the numerous prizes and recognitions you received,
which one gave you most satisfaction?
This is difficult to say, probably all the international
prizes: the 1st Dumas, The Nikon Photo Context.....in particular
I like to mention the latest "recognition" I got
at the latest festival of Underwater Photography in Antibes,
when during a presentation Daniel Mercier referred to me
as "the artist of the festival" ( I have been
attending the Festival in Antibes for 15 years where I present
my work ). Anyhow, I always look at "what's next"
and what new motivations will make me go on.....
What
type of images do you prefer and which lens stimulates you
most?
Without
any doubt the 16 mm, and more generally the extreme focals.
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?
I
started taking pictures of race cars and motorbikes at the
Imola circuit when I was 16, using my uncle's Exacta. As
soon as I bought my first Nikon F I moved to fashion, still
life and nature photography. At that time I made a lot of
photographic research as support to my graphical and serigraphical
experiences. For what concerns the underwater photography
I had a Nikonos 15 mm so the transtion has been easy. I
started creative photography at the Bahamas, concentrating
on light and frames, and I managed to take some wonderful
pictures which I presented to a national photography context.
I didn't actually believe at photographic contexts, I just
wanted to enter into the underwater photography world to
get to know the most famous underwater photographers. I
won the 1st prize at the Blue Trophy in Cesena in 1989.
Since then I started sending my images to many international
contexts receiving recognition and appreciation in various
categories.
What
equipment do you use to take your pictures?
Nikon
with Acquatica and Nimar housing, Sea & Sea and Ikelite
strobes.
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?
Yes,
and I believe I have always tried to communicate my artistic
approach to photography, rather than technicality.I have
received little hints, but I do recall one from George Albuquerque,
a person I admire, who told me when looking at my pictures
: ".... follow always your free instint, keep taking
images between dream and creativity".
Based
on your experience, what are the fundamental components
to make a "perfect" picture?
Good
framing and lighting, obvious ! Anyhow today to make a perfect
photo you ned more : there must be a touch of rarety and
innovation on top, and somehow something extraordinary to
transmit emotions to the observers.
Is
there a shot that you particularly remember?
A
few, but I remember a pretty difficult picture to take due
to the numerous aspects to manage : I needed flat sea, correct
light, clear water, the model exactly where I wanted half
way in the water, the sun rays at noon with a direction
available only during the month of July, into the La Foradada
cave at Capo Testa - Sardinia. I called it "Midday
ray" and with it I won the Nikon Photo context.
The
place or the dive that you liked most?
Surely
Polynesia, meeting the whales, but as well Malesia, Micronesia,
Indonesia, Australia, Caribbean, ..... it is difficult to
select the best places and dives: each place has its own
peculiarities and feelings.
On
the other hand, the place or dive that disappointed you
most?
When the strobe didn't fire !!! There
is always something that can turn a boring dive into an
unexpected scenography : but you do need fantasy! You need
to look for cromatism and graphic: the reflection of sun
rays, the wave movements...
In
your long experience as underwater explorer have you ever
been in a difficult situation, scared, or in danger?
Luckily not, or may be once in Venezuela,
when the boat had left and I stayed in the water for 3 hours
waiting for help after swimming passing across a long reef
with all the photographic equipment, with a pretty rough
sea. Wetsuit and gloves helped and protected me.
To
conclude, what is on top of your dreams?
To create and materialize new ideas, images that are a compromise
of staticity and dinamism: to expand my knowledge and competences
to video. I would like to try the experience of Director
of Photogrqphy in video productions.
Alberto,
many thanks for your time and kindness. Good luck!
Ciao,
thank you Muro
