Today we’d like to introduce you to Filippo Nenna.
Filippo, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Photographs are taken to preserve history and explore the world. That’s what I’ve been doing. You probably do it, too.
I’m a Brit/Italian who was raised in Halifax (in the UK), lived in Liverpool and San Francisco, and now I’m here in Houston.
I use cameras as an excuse to explore parts of Houston I otherwise wouldn’t have found and speak to people I otherwise wouldn’t have met. The most important thing I’ve learned is that it’s more about the experience, interaction, and purpose than the box with which it is captured.
My recent portraits have allowed me to find out about other people’s unique histories – we are surrounded by so many interesting stories!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
All of the photography you’ll see in my portfolio falls under two related themes: the cityscapes of Houston and portraits of Houstonians like you.
The portraits are of local entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals. I want to show people in their best light and bring out the message they would like the city (or the world) to know. I have an uncluttered style derived from classical paintings.
My city-scapes are based on Houston’s architecture and sculptures. I heavily contrast light against shadow to add drama to the towering scenery.
As much as I love the convenience of digital photography, a lot of my work is taken on black and white film using elegant vintage cameras.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
We live in an amazing point in history. We have computers in our pockets with the answers to almost any question, and the path to almost any skill. We can communicate with people anywhere in the world in an instant, and we can show our work to thousands of people with a few button clicks. These tools were not even dreams thirty years ago. The biggest challenges we face are our self-prescribed excuses for not fulfilling our potential. I find that meeting other local artists (of all types, not just photographers) is a great way to learn how people overcome their own obstacles, and how we can help each other out.What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You’ll find my favorite images shown on my website: www.filnenna.com. I’m always looking for spaces to display my images, so I’d love to know if any readers have a location where images of local city-scapes would raise the profile or ambiance of their business, or if they’d benefit from portraits that would put a professional sheen on websites and social media posts.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.filnenna.com
- Email: info@filnenna.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/filnenna
Image Credit:
All photos (c) Filippo Nenna
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