Interview with Fernando Grilli from Brazil

Robert Fülöp
Interview with Robert Fülöp from Cørbø | 2024 European Photography Awards Category Winner of the Year
September 27, 2024
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IAA Presents the 2024 Global Photography Awards Photographers and Category Winners of the Year
September 27, 2024

Fernando Grilli

With parents both being photographers, Fernando Grilli is an experienced photographer born in the heart of Argentina. Currently based in Brazil, his photography journey takes him in his search for new sources of inspiration, dedicating himself to new ways of interacting with Art.

1Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?

I am Fernando Grilli, and both of my parents were photographers. I was born in Rafaela, a small agricultural and livestock farming town in the interior of Argentina, in the province of Santa Fe. Since I was a child I have been in the darkroom, surprised every time an image appeared on paper in an acid bath. My father would ask me to carefully move each photograph with the tweezers to separate them inside the tray.

Sometimes, he allowed me to push the button on the Durs enlarger. A feast for me. I was the one who polished the photographs. I knew the secrets of how to mount them on the polishing plate, or how to work on drying the matte papers. My frequent ‘burns’ on my hands or arm, due to some carelessness, are still present. I remember a Voigtländer in my hands.

2Where did you study photography?
When I was about 18 years old, in the middle of the military dictatorship in Argentina, and even though I had a vast knowledge of photography, I was forced by the military to study photography to help my parents in the family business; Foto Conti, dedicated to photography for weddings, parties and events. I then took a professional photographer and film course at an extension of the Universidad Nacional del Litoral in the city of Santa Fe.
3Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
I don't really remember. It must surely have happened in my garden at home, photographing my little dog or some flower; and almost certainly, of course, my father and mother.
4What equipment do you use?

Sony a7rII and a7rIV. Lenses: Minolta 20 mm. Zeiss 85-1.4. 7 artissans 35-0.95. (among the most used). A 30-2,8. Sony 50-2,8. Sony 11/18-4,5/5,6. Sigma 70/200-2,8. Sigma 150/600-4,5/6,3. Sony a7rII and a7rIV. Lenses: Minolta 20 mm. Zeiss 85-1.4. 7 artissans 35-0.95. (among the most used).

I also have a Sony 30-2,8. Sony 50-2,8. Sony 11/18-4,5/5,6. Sigma 70/200-2,8. Sigma 150/600-4,5/6,3.

5What do you hope to achieve?
Maybe my studies in Fine Arts and Cinema, or my training with my parents, photographers of parties, weddings, events, etc; forged me as a ‘creator of emotions’. That's why my works have a very strong visual force in colours and textures, or in greys and light-dark spirituals when I work in Black and White.
6What inspires your unique storytelling?
It is a kind of mixture of several things: the emotions and surrealism transmitted by cinema; the creations of great masters of painting and the different narratives of great photographers.
7What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Devotion, creation, and surprise.
8Congratulations! As the winner of the European Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
Thank you. After the initial gratifying joy and gratitude, the continuation of greater creative efforts to obtain future recognition.
9Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 European Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
I decided to participate in EPA 2024 because I found it very interesting, and profound; created for artist photographers by true connoisseurs of photography and Fine Arts. The work with which I won my award is a photograph with a lot of final editing to visually communicate the emotional reality that needs to be told. It is part of the "Taperas" Series (in the interior of South America they call abandoned places like that) of the "De lo que Tengo - Texto y Contexto" Project. A series of 30 videos of 1 minute each, made with my own photographs, digital paintings, and algorithmic creations; with music by the Argentinean Master composer Remo Pignoni.
10How has winning an award developed your career?
I received invitations to participate in other Awards, as well as the possibility to participate in magazine articles and exhibitions.
11Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Man Ray (my greatest inspiration), Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Ansel Adams.
12What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
It was my father: when I asked him what aperture or speed I should use, or what ISO control I should set, he would tell me: try it. Try a few different ones and then you'll know what happens.
13What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Do it with joy and devotion. And don't be afraid of making mistakes. It is by making mistakes that you learn the most, most of the time.
14What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Be passionate and believe in what you are creating. "Love, Devotion, and Surrender."
15How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
It is very fluid, and dizzyingly fast. You need to be connected and eager to experiment with new tools, knowledge, and experiences.
16Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
A deep and heartfelt thank you for the invitation to this interview.

Winning Entry


Fernando Grilli

With parents both being photographers, Fernando Grilli is an experienced photographer born in the heart of Argentina. Currently based in Brazil, his photography journey takes him in his search for new sources of inspiration, dedicating himself to new ways of interacting with Art.

  


Read about the interview with Robert Fülöp from Cørbø, A European Photography Awards Category Winner of the Year here.

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