Street Photographer Umberto Verdoliva on Finding His Voice

Umberto Verdoliva, born in Castellammare di Stabia in 1961 and now based in Treviso, Italy, began his photographic journey at age 45. In an interview with Artribune, he discusses his approach to street photography, which he describes as a label for categorizing images rather than a rigid movement. Verdoliva prefers analog photography because it forces greater attention and fewer shots, contrasting with the instant gratification of digital. He emphasizes the importance of inner reflection, citing Amedeo Modigliani's quote about looking outward and inward. His influences include hundreds of masters and unknown talents, focusing on humanist and poetic photography. He advises aspiring photographers to think more about life than photography, to shoot naturally, and to be mentally engaged. His work is driven by a need to find harmony and meaning, and he often develops projects by accumulating images that naturally belong together, without preconceived sequences.