Vincent Peters on Neorealism, Light, and Celebrity Portraits at Palazzo Bonaparte

Photographer Vincent Peters (Bremen, 1969) presents a selection of black-and-white works from 2001 to 2021 at Palazzo Bonaparte in Rome. In an exclusive interview, Peters discusses his technique, inspiration from Italian Neorealism and Caravaggio, and the emotional core of his celebrity portraits featuring Charlize Theron, Monica Bellucci, Scarlett Johansson, Vincent Cassel, and John Malkovich. He emphasizes that technique is secondary to vision, comparing photography to filmmaking where the director must know the story. Peters, who has worked as a cinematographer on short films, channels his frustration at not being a director into better photography. He critiques AI-generated images for lacking human emotion, citing Vittorio De Sica's 'Bicycle Thieves' as an example of authentic human condition. His father's storytelling of film plots shaped his narrative approach. Peters reflects on time and beauty, noting that his subjects change like spring flowers, and his photos capture fleeting moments. The exhibition offers visitors a chance to discover 'people who are essentially a variant of yourself.'