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Stefano Balma
@stefano_balma
Landscape photographer based in Italy
It seems like my interest in art has been present throughout the different phases of my life, always evolving the shape in which it appeared.
As a child I drew non-stop and consumed a whole lot of paper by doing so; I had invented a fictional character and was drawing his adventures. In adolescence, I was completely addicted to music. I sang in a heavy metal group with which I also made records and tours. Then in adulthood, photography was born in parallel with my desire to explore and travel, and it has quickly become the means by which I express myself.
My passion for photography is very young; I bought my first camera about one year ago, in early 2021, for my birthday. We were in the middle of the pandemic, but my wife and I had some trips planned. As so many people do, I turned to photography in order to capture the wonderful places we were going to visit. During the lockdown, I was killing time by learning the basics of photography. The real “shock” came when I discovered post-production and its creative and infinite possibilities. I started studying this aspect and, as soon as it was possible, I headed outdoors to practice what I had been learning.
"The artistic expression of photography, combined with my love for nature, has created real magic in my life!"
Photography is an integral part of my life now and clearly, this also affected travel planning. I take care of some aspects that I did not consider at all before – I have to say that this has significantly improved the quality of our trips. Another thing that has come with photography is the sharing of experiences.
"Sharing through photographs is an amplifier of emotions and knowledge and enriches others as much as myself."
I also believe my passion for science and philosophy plays a part in my interest in photography and in the joy I find in sharing my perspective of life. I’ve always loved philosophy, but what has had the most influence on my thinking is Ancient Buddhism.
In my short photographic career, the messages I love to spread the most are the concepts of cyclicality and ambiguity. The uncertain flow of life is for me the essence of life itself, and I believe this flow is Aion; eternal, never-ending, cyclic, as is the life of the cosmos. It’s in the changing and in the flow that the greatest treasures of life are found. Nature is impermanent (all single items have a beginning and an end) and interdependent (existence is a single flow where current statuses are present due to causes and conditions). Life is a flowing river – where all things are as indissolubly connected as drops are to water. We, of course, are part of this flow – we are the drops of this river.
I’m still investigating and learning about it myself, finding answers and questioning previously found answers. Our mind is not “equipped” to understand these concepts because it tends to defend its integrity, rational logic, and ego.
I don’t do rituals or highly spiritual practices, but I try to consciously breathe the air of the place, I observe and listen; you can connect immediately or after a while…and sometimes it just doesn’t happen! But when we’re particularly receptive, something happens. And then photographs will become very personal and special shots! Photographers have a preferential path in this relationship because observation is the basis of photography and requires awareness and attention. Respect and an attitude of openness are also fundamental; if you get anxious or obsessive to take great photos… you’ll not do them!
Certainly, past interests and experiences have contributed to the “photographic mindset” I have today. I have learned the value of daily and constant quality practice. Art is closely connected with techniques which is the structure of the language you use to express emotions and ideas. Without proper technique, you’ll always say things half and unclear; imagine a poet who only knows a hundred words… even if he has a hurricane of emotions inside he will never be able to express them at their best.
"The editing process is a very important part for me. If during the shooting phase I capture the spirit, during the editing phase I give it soul."
My workflow is completely manual, focusing on luminosity masks, dodge & burn, and a few other techniques. In this phase, I try to reconstruct the relationship that existed between me and the place. Clearly, this is an “interpretative” phase where there is a possibility for a more personal touch.
The artists I like most to be inspired by are the romantic painters of the 19th century (in particular Thomas Cole and Albert Bierstadt, but there are many who have done wonderful works) with their dreamlike feel and their sense of transcendence. Whenever possible I try to bring this mood into my shots, but I don’t always find it appropriate because not all the moments I’ve experienced have that particular mood. I’m aware that this makes it difficult to develop my own personal style that can be traced back to all my works, but if I forced a certain mood to all my shots I would betray one of the most important messages I want to communicate: the connection with the place at that particular moment.
Constant practice for shooting and editing is essential but good guidance is very important too! In this regard, I cannot fail to thank Niccolò Talenti, the person who contributed most to my technical understanding. I bought his post-production course and did a couple of workshops with him; he is a person with the gift of teaching; patient, helpful, and above all, very good! Such people can make a big difference in technical and personal growth, they are a huge added value and the stepstones that allow you to reflect on what you did and improve toward the future.
Two other people I am happy to thank are Gabriele Lorenzini and Filippo Moretti of FotoCorsi.it, with whom I went to Iceland. It was a wonderful trip thanks to a talented and close-knit group! I also had the pleasure of meeting Niccolò Rinaldi, a true champion in photography and a very nice guy. It was fascinating to see how he managed to fit the tripod in the most absurd holes! There are many photographers that I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting but who have given me a lot of inspiration, including my compatriots Enrico Fossati and Andrea Celli, whose photographic vision and way of working I admire very much.
"Besides people, it’s also the places I visit that teach me. It may seem trivial or unnecessary to say, but every trip has a great lesson in store."
Iceland looks like a crazy teenager, a land in constant motion! Its life force is palpable. Madeira was another place that I loved, a true sanctuary of Mother Nature with its unmistakable green and its dancing trees! Shooting in the fog of the Fanal Forest was an enchanting experience. Finally, I cannot fail to mention the magnetism of Northern Greece, with its Meteors and above all with its Mount Athos, a magical promontory that I saw from the beaches of Sithonia. Its magnetism was incapacitating and it was impossible to look away. It was as if Mount Athos was looking inside me! I don’t find it strange that this is one of the holiest places for the greek spiritual community. Too bad I was still a beginner at the time and I couldn’t take great pictures, but I promised to come back in the future!
"Every moment in which I was able to connect with a place and understand its lessons is special for me, but the most significant experience I had with the Jokulsarlon glacier."
I immediately felt a subtle tension, a mixture of electricity and sorrow… I felt admiration and compassion for that wonderful being who was suffering, which I think I was also able to photograph! It was a moment full of emotions that I’ll remember forever. I recommend everyone to go and see a glacier up close, it is an instructive and thrilling experience, and also confrontational.
"When we laugh at climatologists, alarmed by a one or two-degree rise in temperature, we probably don't remember how we feel when we have a fever of 38, 39, or even 40 degrees."
Climate change is very important and also very complex because it has to do with many aspects of the human race; the habits and normality that have been created in our society. Our relationship with nature is based on consumption rather than harmony. Man created a “cradle” where he could live like a god, but in reality, he developed neurosis, apathy, and self-centeredness; it has alienated itself from the world due to a repetitive and hectic lifestyle and has irreparably damaged the only planet we have. We’re faced with one of the greatest challenges that man has ever had to face and the chances of losing it are very high.
Now, to face this emergency, it’s not enough to review the energy sources. We should face a social change on a global level, and review the very direction of the human race – lifestyles, dreams, foundations…. I cannot deny that I’m pessimistic about it, especially seeing the disappointing behavior of world leaders, especially in these times! However, the issue must be addressed both “from above” and “from below”.
In our small way, we can make an important contribution when we go to the supermarket. For example, my wife and I try to buy products with little or no packaging, at km0, recyclable, seasonal fruit and vegetables, etc. We try to reuse and fix old things, as opposed to the absurd throw-away and consumption trend that only contributes to the exploitation and impoverishment of land and people. On the Internet, there are hundreds of examples of how to make ecological choices, but you need to invest some energy in changing your habits. In this regard, one of the most important habits that I have changed in my life is to stop eating meat and fish.
Once I understood that we’re all intimately united, a logical consequence was that I developed more empathy and compassion towards my surroundings, nature, and all kinds of animals. By now in 2022, we know we can have perfect health and tasty meals even without eating meat and fish. More importantly, we know how this choice would positively influence the fight against climate change. So personally, I didn’t see a reason why not to switch to a plant-based diet… Here, abstention is a powerful choice to affect the future.
We photographers can also make an important contribution to this cause, showing the wonders of the planet and being ambassadors of nature. It’s important to lead by example and in this regard, I encourage everyone to join NatureFirst.org, a photographic alliance that promotes low-impact nature photography.
"Take care of the planet, and we'll take care of ourselves."
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