Antonio Pisani: See beyond the surface in Street Photography

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Antonio Pisani. He’s a photographer originally from Italy but now based in the UK, and he has some very interesting insights on street photography. What makes Antonio’s story unique is his journey and perspective. I think you will appreciate his insights. Key Takeaways Antonio shared how his father’s profession influenced him. His father used film cameras in the eighties and nineties. Antonio explained the magic of photography and his independent approach. He always had a clear idea of what he wanted. His father’s work had a subconscious influence. He saw his father developing photos and understood how to explore beyond the technicalities. We dug into the concept of seeing beyond the surface. This is something that Antonio learned from his mentor, Yoshi Imamura. Antonio met Yoshi while working in a retail camera store. They connected over cameras. Yoshi gave him a pinhole lens as a gift which forced Antonio to focus on the art and meaning behind his images, not just the technical aspects. This helped him develop critical thinking and see images with his brain. Behind the Scenes It was really interesting to hear Antonio’s thoughts on social media. He believes Instagram can be a double-edged sword. Antonio chooses to control his images and share them purposefully rather than posting everything online for likes. He aims to create meaningful projects that last. He develops bodies of work that can be exhibited or published. Antonio is preparing several exhibitions in Europe for 2025 and 2026. He’s also working on a book. This takes time and effort, but he optimizes his time and manages his corporate job alongside photography. Antonio believes photography is a calling and a demanding journey. The goal is to develop work that goes beyond day-to-day pictures. If photography is your passion, you’ll keep going. What’s Next Antonio is planning 2025 workshops and master classes. He likes to teach the art of slowing down and being present. These classes cover theoretical and practical aspects. The goal is to develop themes and projects, print your work, and share your images. And he’s always open to discussing gear, black and white photography, and his choice of Pentax and Ricoh cameras. Be sure to check out the full episode to hear more from Antonio. Keep shooting, keep exploring, and stay tuned for more inspiring conversations. Links from the show Antonio’s Website Antonio’s Instagram Willem Flusser’s “Towards a Philosophy of Photography” Marshall McLuhan Sebastiao Salgado Claudia Andujar