My father’s jacket
Hi, I’m Mirko. I’m from Southern Italy, in a small cozy town in the province of Lecce, where I currently live. At this time, I’m working on wedding photo and video. It gives me the ability to take different emotions in a single event or in a working day, and I have many opportunities to capture good portraits.
My passion for this amazing art was born since I was a child, thanks to Italian Cinema. My father and I have seen the best films that cinema could offer, such as Ettore Scola, Federico Fellini, Sergio Leone and Giuseppe Tornatore.
I love working with artists and musicians more than anyone. I have shot some music videos and made portraits for young singers, some of them got out of Talent Show. In fact, the photo we’ll talk about later is a portrait of a dearest friend of mine, but also an awesome singer. Her name is Paola Perrone, known as Ties.
I have had the opportunity to try many cameras, but I found my true identity with Fujifilm. I was fascinated by the design of the Fuji X-T3, but I also wanted a professional camera of excellent quality for both videos and photos, with interchangeable lenses like the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 and the wonderful XF35mm F2.
I believe it’s a camera that is extremely easy to use due to its structure, the positioning of the aperture ring and the dials, the menu set in an orderly way. I think these are important features for working quickly.
Regarding the photo called “My father’s jacket”, Paola, the subject, is a singer and we were looking for a cover photo for her next album. I wanted a completely vintage style, the Fiat 124 Spider behind her is an Italian icon of the 60s. Setting the “grain effect” on my Fuji X-T3, I was able to get the results studied before shooting.
I chose to shoot with the headlights on for a few reasons. I wanted to highlight the car for its importance, but at the same time, it helped me to focus on the subject and have a balance in the photo. An important element is the jacket she wears, her father’s jacket made in the 60s.
The photo was taken in January 2020 in Santa Cesarea Terme, a small town located on the east coast of Salento. It has a wonderful coastline with sea caves and sea stacks, and the sunset makes everything more magical. It was a very cold afternoon, and the gesture to cover herself from the cold was unplanned. I captured that natural moment immediately.
I used the 18-55mm, and I strongly believe that the sunset hours are the best to have the perfect soft and delicate light. I think the light is a very important element for the photos I want to represent, especially outdoors, even if it’s not easy because the light changes as minutes go by. I also had with me the XF35mm F2 that I used later, and with its wider aperture, it helped me with the exposure.
Paola says: “Working with Mirko is funny. I prefer not to be in the spotlight, but with him I feel free to be myself, and it does not seem to be on a set. I think this is how a great photographer should be like. And Mirko is. The feeling is important, but he knows how to make you comfortable. We love the unexpected, as you can see from the photos.”
Regarding the post-production, working on the files from the Fuji X-T3 is really very simple. I use Capture One, and in this case, I only increased the exposure without ever losing quality. With the XF18-55mm and very dim natural light, I was forced to work in post on the highlights and shadows.
The dynamic range of these files is awesome. It was just a matter of increasing the levels, but I’m very pleased with the “grain effect” option, an unmistakable style, unique of its kind, very reminiscent of the motion picture, film. I think that the pastel colors with the “Eternal Cinema” effect is the best LUT I’ve ever seen on a mirrorless.
Really, I don’t like working in post because since I use Fuji, I already have everything under control before shooting.
The X-T3 is also unique for these technical aspects. In two years of use, I have grown a lot in the professional field both in terms of video and photos.
For some months, I have been considering the option of a new purchase, that is the Fuji X-T4. I have read all the features, and I think that IBIS is a turning point, or even battery life, especially for video.
Photography and Video are part of me, of my life. I have met many people thanks to this work, and I have made important friendships that will last in time, and when you meet the right people, you must not let them go. I still thank my friend Paola for these shots, for her patience, even if we are in tune. We love cinema and music, and this makes everything easier.
Here, she is a person, a dear friend, that you never have to let go away from life.
“When you meet the right people, you must not let them go.”
Surround yourself with beautiful people, Art will be grateful.
Thank you, Fuji X Passion Magazine, for giving voice to my photographic work and my art. Keep it up!
Mirko
“Hi, I’m Mirko. I’m from Southern Italy, in a small cozy town in the province of Lecce, where I currently live. At this time, I’m working on wedding photo and video. It gives me the ability to take different emotions in a single event or in a working day, and I have many opportunities to capture good portraits.”
