Photography as a language of nature

Introduce yourself and tell us how photography came into your life. Where did the journey begin?
I am an Italian biochemist, university professor, and visual storyteller based in Sicily. My scientific background has shaped the way I see the world, teaching me that every meaningful discovery begins with careful observation—a principle that also guides my photography. Through wildlife, underwater, and documentary photography, I explore the connection between nature, people, and the Mediterranean, creating images that celebrate biodiversity, culture, and conservation.

How would you describe your photographic style today, and how has it changed over the years?
Over the years, my photography has evolved from capturing individual moments to developing long-term visual projects, where each image becomes part of a larger narrative. I am interested in exploring themes such as biodiversity, the Mediterranean, and transformation, creating stories that combine aesthetics with meaning. Whether I photograph wildlife, underwater life, or documentary subjects, my goal is to create images that encourage viewers to slow down, observe more carefully, and build a deeper connection with the natural world.

Which photographers have shaped the way you see, and what exactly did you take from them?
Rather than trying to imitate a particular photographer, I have been inspired by authors who use photography to tell meaningful stories. The emotional depth of Sebastião Salgado, the compositional simplicity of Michael Kenna, and the conservation vision of Cristina Mittermeier have all influenced the way I approach my work. From each of them, I learned something different: the importance of patience, respect for the subject, and the belief that photography can not only document reality but also inspire awareness and change.

If someone could see only one of your photographs, which would you choose to represent your work — and why that one?
Choosing a single photograph is never easy, because I believe every image gains its full meaning within a larger project. If I had to choose one, it would be an image that captures the connection between people and nature—a photograph where light, emotion, and storytelling come together. More than technical perfection, I want that image to reflect my vision: that every living being, every landscape, and every tradition is part of the same fragile and constantly evolving story.

Which area of photography best describes your work?
Wildlife & Nature Photography.

What first pulled you into wildlife and nature photography, and what keeps the fire going?
I was never interested in photographing wildlife simply to document species. Nature became my language for telling stories—stories about transformation, relationships, and the fragile balance that connects every form of life. What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to create images that invite people to slow down, look beyond the obvious, and rediscover their connection with the natural world.

How do you plan a shoot — what happens long before you reach the hide or the field?
For me, every project begins long before I pick up the camera. I spend time researching the place, understanding its natural and cultural history, and reflecting on the story I want to tell rather than the images I want to capture. Once I am in the field, I try to stay open to the unexpected, allowing nature to shape the narrative instead of forcing it to fit my original idea.

How much does understanding animal behaviour shape the images you come home with?
Understanding animal behaviour is fundamental because it helps me become part of the environment rather than a disturbance. The more I understand a species, the more naturally its story unfolds in front of the camera. For me, behaviour is not just about predicting an action—it is about revealing the connections between animals, their habitat, and the larger story of nature.

Tell us about an encounter with wildlife that changed you as a photographer.
One experience that profoundly changed me was realizing that the most meaningful photographs are not always the most spectacular ones. During a day in the field, after hours of waiting for a rare encounter, I found myself deeply moved by a quiet scene that revealed the harmony between a landscape, its wildlife, and the passing of time. From that moment, I stopped chasing extraordinary moments and started looking for meaningful stories. That shift has shaped every project I have created since.

Where do you draw the line between getting the photograph you want and leaving the animal in peace?
The line is very clear: if my presence changes an animal’s natural behaviour, I have already gone too far. I believe that no photograph is worth causing stress or disrupting the balance of an ecosystem. The best images are those that are earned through patience, knowledge, and respect, allowing nature to remain exactly as it is.

What camera and lenses are at the heart of your kit right now, and what makes them right for the way you work?
My current kit is built around the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II and the OM-3. Depending on the story I want to tell, I mainly work with the M.Zuiko 17mm F1.2 PRO, 45mm F1.2 PRO, 60mm Macro, and the new M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO, while I also keep the compact 17mm and 25mm F1.8 lenses for situations where discretion and simplicity are key. What I appreciate most about the OM SYSTEM is its combination of portability, weather-sealing, and optical quality, which allows me to move freely between documentary work, macro photography, and wildlife without ever feeling limited by the equipment.

Which Picture Mode, Art Filter, colour profile or custom camera settings do you keep coming back to, and why do they suit the way you see?
I almost always work in RAW. For me, the camera records the visual information, while the final photograph takes shape during post-processing, where I refine the image without compromising its authenticity. I don’t rely on Art Filters or predefined looks because I want every photograph to reflect the atmosphere, emotion, and story I experienced in that moment.

What keeps you working with the Olympus / OM System, and what would you miss most if you switched away from it?
To be completely honest, there has always been something special about Olympus and OM SYSTEM cameras for me. Every time I hold one, I feel the same excitement and curiosity that first drew me to photography. I genuinely enjoy using them, looking at them, and carrying them into the field. That emotional connection is something I consider essential, because when a camera feels like a natural extension of yourself, you stop thinking about the equipment and can focus entirely on seeing and telling stories. If I switched to another system, I think that is what I would miss the most.

Walk us through your editing workflow — which software do you use, and how much of the final image is made after the shutter closes?
I work primarily in Adobe Lightroom for image selection and global adjustments, and Photoshop when a project requires more precise local editing. Since I always shoot in RAW, I see post-processing as the final stage of the creative process rather than a way to change reality. My goal is never to create a different scene, but to faithfully recreate the atmosphere, light, and emotion I experienced in the field. For me, the photograph is built both at the moment of capture and during careful editing, where the story finally takes its complete form.

What are you usually trying to achieve in post-processing — and what do you deliberately leave untouched?
Post-processing is where I give coherence to my visual language, not where I invent a new reality. I work on light, colour, and tonal balance to express the atmosphere I felt when I made the photograph, while deliberately preserving the integrity of the scene. I believe that the emotional impact of an image should come from the authenticity of the moment, not from digital manipulation.

If you could leave a single piece of photographic wisdom for someone picking up a camera today, what would it be?
Photography is not about collecting beautiful images; it is about learning to see. Slow down, be curious, and allow nature to reveal its stories instead of trying to force your own. The photograph will always be a consequence of the way you look at the world.

Looking back, what is the most valuable lesson photography has taught you?
The greatest lesson photography has taught me is that everything is connected and constantly changing. Every landscape, every living being, and every encounter is part of a larger story that deserves to be observed with humility and respect. Photography has changed the way I look at the world, teaching me that understanding begins not with taking a picture, but with learning to truly see.

Which single accessory could you not work without — and what would you lose without it?
I don’t really depend on accessories. One of the things I appreciate most about the OM SYSTEM is that I can head into the field with a camera and a lens, confident that I have everything I need. Travelling light allows me to stay connected with the environment, react naturally, and focus entirely on observation and storytelling.

How has your relationship with gear changed over the years, and what drove those changes?
My relationship with gear has changed from searching for the “best camera” to finding the camera that feels right. Over the years, I realised that technical performance is only part of the experience. I need a camera that inspires me every time I pick it up—one that I enjoy holding, looking at, and taking into the field. That emotional connection is incredibly important to me because it makes me want to create. When a camera becomes a natural extension of yourself, photography feels effortless.

What are you working on right now, and where can readers follow it?
I am currently developing several long-term projects centred on the Mediterranean, where nature, culture, and memory come together. Alongside my wildlife and underwater photography, I am documenting the lives of Sicilian fishermen and rural communities, exploring the deep relationship between people and their environment. At the same time, I continue to expand my personal project Everything Transforms, which reflects on the constant evolution of life and our connection with the natural world.