When did you start working with photography and when did you understand that it was a passion and/or a profession?
I have been interested in photography since I was a child: when I was 6, I had already a small Polaroid camera with which I took photos. Later on, in order to support this passion, I followed a path of artistic studies culminating in a degree in Photography. Therefore, I can say that I am one of those lucky ones for whom the profession came from a real passion.

Have you started soon as a freelance professional or as a photo studio assistant?
During my university years, I worked at a photographic studio in Brescia; once I got my degree, I worked in interior design publishing in Brescia and, thanks to this experience, I consolidated my interest and skills in what has become my field of expertise. The choice of the freelance profession came of its own accord precisely because it paved the way for new opportunities for personal and professional growth. The path has been uphill, but thanks to a clear corporate vision that combines the photographic aspect and the business aspect, I managed to make my way in this sector focusing on customer satisfaction and retention.

Is there any professional experience that you remember with particular satisfaction?
Surely, one of the greatest satisfactions was the publication of the first editorial in the magazine AD Italia, one of the most qualified magazines in the sector. It was a goal I had set myself, but I didn’t imagine that I would be able to reach it so soon and this made me very excited and gratified at the same time.

When and how did you meet RossiniGroup?
My collaborator and I met Marco and Elisa Rossini at Euroluce 2015. At the fair, my collaborator, Sara Cozzoli, who deals with marketing and communication, had selected some particularly interesting companies on the basis of our vision and mission, and these companies included Rossini and 929 Milan as well. We seized the opportunity and went to the stand to show a selection of my works and leave a presentation folder. Everything started from there; we held a second meeting, this time at the RossiniGroup headquarters, with Marco Rossini and Nicola Pallotta, responsible for graphics, and then we started the photographic collaboration.

What is your approach to photograph light? Do you let it inspire you or prefer to interpret it according to your own idea? But, above all, how much does light count in an image?
In my opinion, light in photography is even more crucial than framing. In interior design, I work preferably with natural light that, although it cannot be controlled or managed, serves as a source of inspiration, giving life to atmospheric photos with unique feelings. On the contrary, photos in a studio provide for artificial light through the flash; in these cases, the control of light must be optimal and it is, therefore, necessary to arrange the lighting according to schemes designed to enhance the subjects / objects.

What is the RossiniGroup product that inspired you most?
Ben wall lamp immediately struck me for its rigorous design and the originality of the superimposition of the shapes; having photographed it in the chrome version, I have to admit that the finish immediately inspired me on a photographic level precisely because of its reflective properties. I also found the satin Dynamica of Plexiform very interesting as, with its simplicity, linearity and cleanliness, lends itself to many sophisticated design solutions.

How much improvisation, reflection and sharing is there in your work?
I believe that reflection is essential for the creation of top-level images in the interior design and still life sector. It is important to weigh up the frames not only on the basis of technical skills and artistic inspiration, but also on the basis of an overall view that takes into account all the elements and characteristics. Clearly, the creative vein, refined by experience, can facilitate and speed up the recognition of particularly successful shots or interesting glimpses.

Ritual question: Who are your models in contemporary photography, or in the past? Do you have one or more idols?
Candida Hoefer above all, for her rational cleanliness of the image and totemicity conveyed by her photos.

What do you think about this moment, where the social networking sites invite (oblige?) to express ourselves through private images and not only? Where everyone play the photographer? Do you find that social networking sites such as instagram or pinterest or other apps, which allow you to rework photos with your smartphone, depreciate the photographer’s work or, on the contrary, create a renewed interest in the profession?
Ritengo che social networks e immagini abbiano in comune la comunicazione: da sempre le immagini sono state un mezzo di comunicazione e i social networks sono la versione 2.0 della comunicazione odierna. Il fatto dunque che i social networks stessi utilizzino vari linguaggi di comunicazione tra cui, sempre più, anche le immagini non mi stupisce; credo tuttavia che nonostante l’interesse eccessivo e maniacale della società non solo per l’immagine, ma anche per la condivisione, permanga un netto divario tra la professione fotografica e la realizzazione di immagini quotidiane a scopo di condivisione sociale. Innanzitutto le competenze tecniche e di studio alla base di una professione oltre che l’esperienza acquisita in anni sul campo impongono già una separazione, inoltre lo sguardo creativo che spesso distingue i veri professionisti del settore è cosa rara e non di certo imprescindibile per la realizzazione di immagini che attestano le proprie vicende quotidiane. Anche la conoscenza del photo-editing per un professionista è molto avanzata e sebbene siano sempre più presenti applicazioni di editing e filtri ad uso comune sono comunque soluzioni riduttive che si adattano più che bene per scopi social, ma che a livello professionale spesso fanno sorridere. Non credo tuttavia che l’utilizzo di immagini tramite social sia svilente rispetto alla mia professione, li vedo proprio come ambiti separati; altro discorso sarebbe da fare per chi si improvvisa fotografo e cerca di ricavare da un passatempo un guadagno, spesso sono proprio tali soggetti a svilire il mercato.

Qual è il committente ideale, che ti aiuta a dare il meglio? Riesci a coniugare le esigenze del marketing con la tua interpretazione creativa?
I believe that social networking sites and images have communication in common: images have always been a means of communication and social networking sites are the 2.0 version of today’s communication. The fact that social networking sites use various communication languages, including images, is not surprising to me; however, I believe that despite the excessive and obsessive interest of society not only in the image, but also in sharing, there is still a clear gap between the photographic profession and the realization of everyday images for the purpose of social sharing. First of all, the technical and study skills at the base of a profession, as well as the experience acquired over the years in the field, already impose a separation, and the creative look that often distinguishes the true professionals of the sector is rare and certainly not unescapable for the creation of images that document our daily life. Even the knowledge of photo-editing for a professional is very advanced and although there are more and more editing and filtering applications for common use, they are reductive solutions that fit more than well for social networking purposes, but at a professional level often make you smile. However, I don’t think that the use of images through social networking sites debases my profession; I see them as separate areas; another matter is when there is one person who play the photographer and tries to make a profit from a pastime; often, just this persons debase the market.

Which is the ideal client, who helps you to give the best? Can you combine the marketing needs with your creative interpretation?
Clearly, I have a photographic style that characterizes my works and the artistic/creative approach is certainly fundamental since it is a matter of making shots of objects or interior design, but I always have an open attitude towards my client. It is always necessary to listen to the needs of the client not only because of the needs themselves, which can give valuable information on how to prepare the work, but also because we must take into account that the client is certainly the one who knows his/her product or the interior he/she has made better than others, understanding strengths and weaknesses and being able to provide useful information for the success of the photo shoot. Of course, confidence and a certain freedom of action in my work, once I have listened to the initial directives, are essential for me because they allow me to express my qualities and skills in the best possible way.

In percentage terms, how much does post-production count in your work?

Photo-editing is certainly indispensable in my work, but contrary to what many people think, miracles cannot be performed, so it is always appropriate to start from a well-made photo. Probably, if I had to venture a percentage, I would give 70% importance to the shoot and 30% importance to post-production.

White, black or colour?   Colour

Renzo Piano or Zaha Hadid? Renzo Piano
Book o film? Film
Favourite film? Il cielo sopra Berlino di Wim Wenders
If it were a book?  L’uccello che girava le viti del mondo di Murakami Haruki
Sea or mountain? Mare
Diary or tablet? Tablet
Restaurant or trattoria? Ristorante
Favourite sports?  Tennis, running e yoga
Coffee or infusion? Caffè
Bag or backpack? Borsa
Which museum would you recommend? Metropolitan Museum of Art New York

A place that you have recently photographed and that has remained in your heart?
The Vendicari reserve, characterized by a landscape in continuous transformation: from the countryside, to the marsh and, last but not least, beach and sea.

What haven’t you photographed yet and would you like to photograph?
I would like to photograph Chatsworth, a historic residence located in Derbyshire.

How do you combine private life and working life, since Sara is your collaborator and partner?
It is not always easy because the risk of getting work to home and talking about it is always actual; on the contrary, the difficult thing is to carve out some free time. Moreover, even though each of us has his/her own area of expertise, we do not always agree on how to deal with certain situations and this can create tensions, but I must admit that we are both sufficiently aware that we are not influenced by work decisions in the private sphere. However, there is a great advantage that working in close contact with one’s partner entails, namely spending a lot of time together and being involved in the same reality by sharing experiences, new knowledge and even managing concerns together, thus alleviating stress and frustration.

Mattia Aquila

 Light is an element that lends itself to a thousand interpretations, while technology contributes tirelessly to improve creativity and spectacle. The post-production techniques, the definition of images that mix photographic contributions, video footage and special effects, have broadened the horizon of those who work in advertising. Those who were, until yesterday, simple art directors (friends of the agencies, don’t hold it against us) who had to reconcile the visual aspect with the other half of the creative couple, namely the copy, now find themselves to propose products that are very close to multimedia art. Even the latest devices (plasma TV, round screens, tablets and mobile that evolve quickly), are conceived and designed so as to exploit light in all its forms.

However, light is not coveted by lovers of photography only. Light is psychedelic, magical. It is able to make amazing even the most obvious thing. A renowned car manufacturing company (Audi) understood it well, since it made its new commercial a play of lights lasting thirty seconds. Lines, tunnels, palaces with lights that intertwine and blend until converging in the car that, at the end of the commercial, everyone would want to have in his/her garage.

And if even one of the most famous bands in the world, the Coldplay, prefers light spells rather buxom girls in its music video, there is a reason why. In “The speed of sound”, the lights dance accompanied by Chris Martin’s voice and become more intense and dynamic as the music flares up, in fact. However, light is not just poetry. It is also or, above all, used to sell. In a store, proper lighting plays a fundamental role, both to attract the attention of potential customers and to enhance the merchandise. Did you know that butchers use warm color lights (3000 / 3200K), just to enhance the shades of red meat? In addition, did you know that in clothing stores they advise a light with a CRI (Color Rendering Index) at around 90, which allows to realistically render the actual colors of the fabrics and the difference between them?

Which is the best Rossini product for a store? Of course, MAYA: a LED projector for three-phase track. It comes in three different sizes and relative powers (13W, 25W and 32W), in warm color temperature (3000K) and cold color temperature (4000K). By using an accessory, you can even change the opening of the light beam, from the standard opening to 40° up to reach 10° and 20°. You can also choose the color of the device: gray or white. To be mounted on a compatible three-phase track already installed in a store or on our GROOVE track, available in the ceiling version or built-in version. Light has the great gift of improving what is before your eyes and, as you know, in the shopping malls, it changes to enhance the characteristics of the products on display: jewels shine in a particular way, some food has more attracting colors, even fruits look riper and the seafood fresher.

 In the end, light can be many different things: the light of the sun’s rays that wake us up in the morning, the light we see on stage when the curtains open, the light that invades us when we are at a concert or the light that enlightens our PCs. However, in all its forms, light has the power to make everything it touches more attractive.

To summarize, the summer solstice is the first day of summer and it is when the sun appears highest in the sky thus initiating the warm season. Now, let’s forget about the commonplace comments about the weather and the seasons that have become so unpredictable and let’s concentrate instead on the meaning of this symbolic event.
On June 21 and for some of the days which will follow, the sun will remain still (in a ‘steady state’) rising and setting at the same point. This phenomenon lasts a few days so it is not wrong to say that June 22, 23 and 24 are part of the same solstice.

To be precise, we should specify that the solstice happens six hours later every year but it is repositioned every four years thanks to the leap year which was introduced specifically to avoid this misalignment of the seasons in the calendar. That is why the astronomical solstice takes place in the boreal hemisphere on June 20 or 21 for the summer and on December 21 or 22 for winter.

This ‘still’ sun which kindly looks down on us, gives us the gift of life. Since ancient times it has been celebrated all over the world with pagan ceremonies which over the centuries were recast as Christian celebrations.
One of the most famous ceremonies is celebrated at Stonehenge by the modern communities of druids and contemporary pagans and is called ‘Midsummer’ or Midsummer’s Night as written and fostered by Shakespeare. The place, as we all know, is full of mystery and is constantly subject to diverse theories about the famous monoliths that appear to have been positioned exactly in line to capture every hour of the solstice. It is only natural to let oneself be captivated by the magic of this moment where earthly and unearthly worlds meet, where (cosmic?) energy wraps everything in a surreal dimension.

For many cultures the summer solstice represents a moment of intense belonging: ancient legends, stories handed down from the Celts which are still relived today by old and new generations that by word of mouth have handed down traditions and Irish culture over the years. Also the native Americans, are deeply connected to the heartbeat of the Earth, a true Mother that the natives celebrate with ceremonies and prayers and with Inipi sweat lodges for the purification rite. The lodge is made of wood and has a fire pit in the centre where hot stones are placed, their heat together with the prayers that are chanted during the rite purify body and soul.
The summer solstice, in our culture, is associated with the celebrations for Saint John. Farmers celebrate with bonfires on high ground as an act of purification but also as a propitiatory rite to the god of light, of life and of abundance, yet also as a ploy to keep bad spirits away.

The Rossini team loves light in every form and therefore cannot but join the celebrations for the light solstice certain that it will start the summer season full of blue skies, starry moonlit nights and if there are some fireflies, then the magic will be complete.

Fonte

Andrew Bolton, the superintendent of the related exhibition, intended to “explore the dichotomy between hand-made haute-couture and machine-made garments”, naming the related exhibition Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.

Since it comes to technology, the light in its most recent development has the right to be among the protagonists. In the video we are going to show, the dress designed by Zac Posen is dotted with optical fibers and, in our opinion, it leaves the classical scheme of “technology + clothing= robot dress”. In this case, in fact, the project choice (play?) is based on a very simple idea: technology to fascinate, astonish and dream. And what better reference than the world of fairy tales and happy endings? Certainly, this is our interpretation as incurable romantics, but you cannot but get carried away by the memory of the Disney movie where the fairy Godmother turned the shabby clothes of the scullery maid into the wonderful princess dress by a wave of a magic wand, which proved the magic spell occurred just through the origination of a light source. 

A strong temptation for those who would like to get noticed in a romantic night or shine on their own among the guests of a nerd party. Then, if you really wanted to overdo, you could choose looks created by laser cutting or thermal shaping, up to 3D printing. In the end, if you think about that, all these innovations are also shared by the world of lighting and architectural design, with products that can be innovative for their shape or function, in accordance with the founding principles of the original design, the one that produces useful but beautiful objects, or beautiful but also useful objects. A lamp that lights up properly, enabling energy saving and lasting over time thanks to the quality of the materials but, at the same time, a lamp that will complete the appearance of the home, office and public spaces. This brings to another topic that attracts designers and producers, the yin and yang that sees an opposition between designers and entrepreneurs: Can creativity be an end in itself and become pure artistic operation or, conversely, can it be the first step towards a new expressive language that will produce profits and visibility?

However, that is another story or better, another fairy tale, which we will tell you in the future.

Otherwise, the arrangement of the lights must be managed carefully, because obviously it affects the quality of the environment (and therefore of health), and can also modify the energy costs: if at home lighting affects normally for 15% of the electric bill, for shops and offices, the percentage may be higher than 20%.

Often, the lights stay on all day, along with the glow emanating from the video terminals. So, if we really don’t have a window helping us to manage the general lighting, we must rely on artificial “lux”.

In the workplaces used sporadically, or in passageways, from 100 to 150 lux may be enough, while for environments in which we work constantly with a monitor from 300 to 500 lux are required. Finally, for particularly demanding tasks, we can also get to the average of 1000 lux.

As for the colour tones, we should choose warm or neutral light, never cold, with a colour temperature of about 3000K or 4000K.

It is also true that not to tire the eyes, it is important that light is not too much, especially in the presence of furniture and finishes that reflect refractive light, creating an overload of reflections. That’s where the UGR (Unified Glare Rating) or glare effect, intervenes. This value depends on various elements, including the arrangement of the illuminating devices and the characteristics of the environment (size, indices of reflection) as well as of the appliance itself. The smaller the value, the lower the glare: a number considered appropriate for a situation such as office, is 19, so that the devices suitable for installation in spaces with monitors often have a symbol indicating UGR <19.

One of the latest creations in Plexform production is Sistema9 which owes its name to the incredible UGR<9! But this is not the only product produced by Plexiform and Rossini Illuminazione suitable and recommended to illuminate an office. In this gallery, a selection of our products among the most tried and tested for use in environments with VDT and some of our creations.

As for the eyes instead, try to take breaks and do not forget to “blink”; it often happens that we stare at the screen too long, fatiguing the view for too much concentration. Of course it will be your ophthalmologist to recommend any lenses with specific filters, now on the market to cope with the increasing use of video terminals. And if you want to know more about health, here is the link to the INAIL website, where you can download the dedicated brochure.

and don’t forget that those who work with a computer must learn to assume the correct posture, to evaluate the required distances and ultimately to prepare properly / ergonomically their desks.

Good job!

Assuming that our body is crossed by several energy points, they noted that by stimulating them properly, you can prevent and treat several psychosomatic diseases. Stress, anxiety, feelings as anger and sadness accumulate in specific areas of the body causing disease states.

Chromotherapy uses the stimulating and soothing qualities of the colour spectrum – the same as the iris and the rainbow – to restore the balance of the chackra, namely the entire body. Of course, you cannot expect to treat serious diseases only and exclusively using colors but, undoubtedly, many ailments can be relieved, not to mention that associating chromotherapy, which has no side effects, with traditional drug treatments, is useful to enhance the effects and give relief to the psyche.

Let’s see the benefit offered by each colour and how you can use them through the several treatments:

Red: warm and stimulating color par excellence, it is useful against low blood pressure, increases respiratory rate, stimulates the liver and endocrine activity. Furthermore, it helps wound healing, relaxes the muscles and, therefore, it is useful to relieve contractures, sprains and fibre inflammation. Finally, red helps to decongest the respiratory tract and to reduce and fluidize mucus and catarrh. It has an energizing effect on the psyche and stimulates the “tired” libido.

Orange: is a warm color, but less intense than red. It is ideal for sports people but, above all, it is beneficial for the thyroid activity; it is antispasmodic and gives joy. For the psyche plagued by depression, fear, neuroses and mania, it is extremely positive, as well as on anorexic people, because it stimulates a natural appetite and helps to regain the love of life.

Yellow: warm color that helps relieve all digestive disorders, especially abdominal swelling due to colitis, cleanses the blood and brings a sense of joy and positivity. In addition, it also helps mental focus and troubleshooting.

Green: is a neutral colour, curative for a wide range of problems. For example, it is beneficial on overexcited psyche, it gives serenity and induces calm in case of anxiety and stress; it relieves the cramps and gastrointestinal disorders (especially gastritis and ulcers); it is a natural antibacterial and disinfectant. It is also helpful in case of insomnia and sleep disorders.

Blue: cold color that helps to slow the arterial pressure and, therefore, is useful for those suffering from high blood pressure and tachycardia. The blue induces relaxation and has a natural analgesic effect. It is considered beneficial for treating a variety of inflammations, especially in the throat, joints and teeth, skin irritation, burns and insect bites. In addition, it acts as a febrifuge and helps relieve migraines and headaches.

Indigo: cold color located between blue and purple. It is useful for all disorders affecting the head, including eyes, nose and ears. It favors intuition and calms the hyperactive thyroid being useful in case of hyperthyroidism.

Violet: is a cold color and has very powerful effects on the psyche. It fosters dreams, intuition, inspiration and creativity. From the physical point of view, it is beneficial on the nerves, stimulates the production of white blood cells and the activity of the spleen and strengthens bones and joints. It helps in case of inflammatory skin diseases, has a healing effect and analgesic in case of neuralgia.

Chromotherapy is used in different ways. At wellness centres and Spas, there are many sensory paths and treatments with chromatic radiation. For example, colour baths, both “dry” and in water, are considered very beneficial to the body, but you can also target different colors depending on their effects on various organs in the reference chakra using the chromopuncture (akin to acupuncture and acupressure).

Finally, even nutrition can exploit the benefits of chromotherapy. Especially fruits and vegetables help us to improve our health based on their color. Therefore, we should vary the ingredients of our dishes also according to the colour of food, in order to benefit from all the possible healing and balancing effects of colours.

Source: blogo.it

I found that cycling and reaching a place using my legs as an engine was gratifying to me, as well as being outdoors and having a thorough view of the world opened up new horizons. Moreover, the world seen from my two wheels was adrenaline and pure freedom. Thus, I began to look for different ways to customize my bike and make it unique. I made it safer and more visible without sacrificing image and style.

The bike4light is the result of such radical change. ”

Here is the story of Pier Roberto Perzy, a brilliant biker who works for the safety and fun of biking through … the light.

How Bike4Light came out

It came out from the need to cross our streets by two-wheel means in a safer and more visible way, using LED lighting not only to “see”, but to let other people “see you”.

An innovative idea

Avoid the major cause of accidents, the side view of the vehicle, integrating the type-approved reflectors with the latest LED reflectors. Bike4light improves the full visibility of the means by lighting the spokes.

Passion and enthusiasm

Having always loved the originality without sacrificing “beautiful and functional things”, Roberto Perzy selected safe and original products to highlight the Bike4Light…

LED for safety

“In 2014, they awarded three physicists with the Nobel Prize thanks to their Light Emitting Diode invention, since this technology will revolutionize and light the world.”

For the amateur cycling, LEDs represent the evolution of traditional reflectors and improve the visibility of those who ride a bike, especially the side view of the vehicle, a quality that the normal current tools do not guarantee totally and that instead would help to avoid a major cause of accidents on two wheels.

www.bike4light.it

www.focus.it

www.dovesciare.it

Now at its seventeenth edition, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair is an important – and unique– opportunity to see and talk (as long as you can understand what exhibitors say) about light with the main lighting producers who come mainly from China. Now, Mao country plays the lord and master even on our market, especially when it comes to components and electric parts, namely the so-called Light Emitting Diode, best known as LED!

The fair takes place at a wonderful nest-shaped building on the Victoria Harbour, a reclaimed area, torn from the sea, so that there is a stunning view on the Gulf overlooking the city and the reclamation works to increase the percentage of land are undergoing. The impression is to be in a city that is always subject to building works, a constantly moving city (literally, considering that the land torn from the sea increases every year), not only for the inhabitants of the island who seem to be constantly late to catch the train.

The LED plays the lord and master. However, there are no many innovations and surprises at this edition. A praise has to be given to our beloved made in Italy, since another confirmation comes just from this Chinese fair: the impression is that of a constant déjà-vu of the best products by the best Italian and European brands.

However, you can enjoy the light show especially outside the fair, in the city. This city grows vertically (having 7 million inhabitants in 1104 square km, it is one of the most densely populated areas in the world: due to the lack of space, a vertical development is the only solution). Skyscrapers are in succession along the Victoria Harbour and there is a wonderful view. You can enjoy the skyline from the other side of the sea, not from Hong Kong Island, but in the mainland of Kowloon, or you can enjoy its view even from Victoria Peak hill. They are two opposed but complementary shows.

Go to the Victoria Peak if you want to enjoy a rétro run on the Peak Tram (the first funicular in Asia, dating back to 1888), which is at odds with the modernity of the city. There, you will feel dizzy, enjoy a romantic view and a breeze that relieves from the great moist heat of the city.

Instead, you can reach Kowloon and the district of Tsim Sha Tsui by the Star Ferry (recalling the Staten Island Ferry in New York). After a walk on the sea front, do not miss the light show at 8 p.m.. Every evening, the skyscrapers come to life and, to the beat of music spread over the speakers along the pedestrian path, they light up and light crosses them, playing with reflections, colours, laser and special effects involving 47 buildings in the city. To the beat of LED, of course!