Photographic arte povera... interview with ANDREA OLIVO.

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

No real story, she's one of the girls that I have casted over the past 2 years and has become part of the casting couch. She was chewing gum so I got her to shout...

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

My gear bag has an old canon MarkII which I use for playing around but when I do commissioned shoots I rent whatever camera is best for the job. The rest of the space in the gear bag is taken up but my safety net... Loads of backup harddrives, clamps, tools, gaffer tape all the stuff that can save my arse out on location.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I hardly ever do, I actually find something about composing a portrait quite difficult and unless you have a very strong personality in front of you the result is usually boring and cliche. But when things do come together it's always special .

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a ³portrait² photographer?

Nope, I shoot fashion and pretty girls jumping on my couch with their boobs out.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Whatever works. Usually I like to keep things simple but sometimes a big lighting setup in needed. Different tools for different fools I guess.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

I look at a lot of magazines and admire people like Greg Kadel, Richardson, Teller but I generally get my inspiration from the person I'm shooting and the world around me... A type of photographic arte povera.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I'm hardly one to be giving tips... but if you stuck.. do as I do and just shoot another card and talk dirty... usually gets a reaction.

http://www.andreaolivo.com/

http://www.andyolivescastingcouch.blogspot.com/

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