Sama Sbrissa
1. Congratulations on winning in the London Photography Awards! Can you share a little about yourself, what inspired you to pursue photography, and how has your journey evolved since your first shot?
My name is Sama Sbrissa, and I am a professional photographer in constant evolution. Currently, I see myself more as a Collage Artisan, as I love to experiment.
2. Can you share the story or inspiration behind your award-winning piece? How does winning this award make you feel about your journey in photography?
This project has been on my mind for over ten years, and I finally managed to bring it to life, thanks in part to the wisdom of Dietelmo Pievani, a great source of inspiration.
3. How do you decide which photo to submit for a competition?
I follow my instincts and aesthetic taste.
4. What first made you pick up a camera?
My goal is to freeze the moment and give it immortal life.
5. What’s your favorite type of photography, and why do you love it?
I focus on intimate photography that tells personal stories in a surreal way, preferring manual techniques for my works.
6. What’s your go-to camera setup, and why does it work best for your projects? What’s your favorite feature?
I enjoy working by hand: cutting, engraving, and glueing everything in the real world, without the use of a computer. I shoot with a Canon.
7. If someone looked at your work, what’s the one thing you’d want them to feel?
My emotions are expressed through surprise, wonder, and amazement.
8. What was the most challenging part of capturing your winning shot?
I aim to best represent what I visualise in my imagination.
9. Is there a specific place or subject that inspires you the most?
I am fascinated by science and seek a scientific representation of images.
10. Who or what has been your biggest influence in photography?
Influenced by the world of black and white, I strive to blend various techniques and manual processes.
11. What message would you share to inspire photographers to participate in photography awards, and what advice would you give to help them excel in the competition?
I participate to share my work and let it travel, without the expectation of winning.
12. What’s one piece of advice for someone just starting in photography?
I prefer looking through a viewfinder rather than a screen.
13. What role do editing and post-processing play in your creative workflow?
Post-production is minimal and, above all, manual.
14. How do you see technology, like AI, influencing the future of photography and your own approach?
I believe that artificial intelligence is good for texts; indeed, I am using it to translate from my language, Italian. However, I would never equate it with an image, as a machine cannot communicate emotions.
15. If you could photograph anything or anyone in the world, what would it be?
I enjoy photographing the rainbow from the inside, as we envision it.
