Born in Casale Monferrato in the North West Italy, where he lives and works as a lawyer, Dino Lupani is a self-taught photographer passionate about nature and landscapes. His thorough observations of seasons, weather and tides lead to great understanding of the environment and as a result, the creation of images that stir the soul. Dino loves photographing extreme weather, especially storms and lightning; the distinctive light of such events, combined with an interesting composition results in very powerful photographs. The use of polarizing filters, neutral density and graduated neutral density filters allows him to minimise the post production. Many of his images are converted to black and white, but the reality is never changed. Some of his best knows series are: Monte Rosa, Silences, Evanescens on Snow.
1. What was your path to become a photographer?
I started, like many of us, with documentary photos that were for me a reminder of the places I went to, and the events I observed. I have always been fascinated by the weather, and often in my images I include cumulonimbus clouds, thunderstorm and lightning.
2. Do you prefer to take photos close to home or do you find faraway places more inspiring? Are there any special places that inspire you the most to create new work?
It is indifferent for me, because in every place there is beauty. One must know how to look at the scene and how to interpret it with photographic eye and passion.
3. Are you a meticulous pre-planer or do you prefer creating images spontaneously? Do you revisit your favourite places many times to achieve the required result? Can you tell us more about your method of working?
Sky and clouds are the main protagonists of my photos. Therefore, when I see a subject and an interesting composition, I go back to that place when the sky is right, to get the picture I imagined. I plan projects, but I also like to improvise. I go hunting landscapes only when the weather forecast and Doppler radar map assure me of an interesting sky.
4. Terra Quantum displays themes and series portfolios; do you like working to the project/series/theme or find creating individual images more rewarding?
I'm interested in both methods of working and have no preference about it.
5. Can you tell us a bit more about your 2 chosen photographs – what is the story behind them, when/why/how they were created?
This image is from the series "Wet POV". I'm particularly passionate about it, as the final result was very unpredictable. All shots in the series were taken with a camera in a waterproof case while I was swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Framing and composition were difficult as I was at the mercy of the waves; I had to put much effort into it, nevertheless it was great fun.
This image, “Monte Rosa East Face” is a long exposure in daylight, with ND110 filter. The high mountains of the massif of Monte Rosa (4634 m - 15,203 ft) in northern Italy were battered by the violent winds. This combined with high altitude created a spectacular motion of the clouds. The exposures in this series were all under 120 seconds and they were enhanced by the hard light of the mountain environment.
6. Colour, b&w or both? How do you decide about the elimination or inclusion of colour and why. When do you decide about it - in the field or during the post processing?
My photography is based on shapes, volumes and proportions (or better "disproportions"). This is why I think in my case, colours can be distracting. Therefore, I previsualize my images in b&w already in the research stage.
7. Do you find printing your images yourself as an integral part of image creation or do you use professional labs? How important is the choice of paper for you?
I rely on professionals, who also recommend to me the most suitable type of paper.
8. Do you think that social media is killing photography or playing an important role in promoting your work? How involved are you in your online presence?
Social media are an opportunity for visibility and sharing your work, even outside of the world of photography. I believe that signature fine art photography can coexist seamlessly with the souvenir photos taken with the smart phones.
9. Do you have any plans for exhibitions, books or any interesting projects coming? Can you tell us a bit more about your artistic plans for the next couple of years?
I am working on two solo exhibitions and plan to get involved in some international photographic community but, at the time, photography is not my profession, so I have no long-term projects.
10. We are living on the most beautiful planet, yet it is over-burdened and over-polluted. As photography is an influential medium, do you use the power of your photographs to promote our Earth appreciation and environmental awareness? Any thoughts how photographers in general can become more involved in this important matter?
Photography surely can help people to understand that the environment in which we live is not only beautiful, but also complex, delicate and irreplaceable. Unfortunately, many people do not appreciate it, simply because they are not able to comprehend it. Therefore, the beauty and fragility shown in photographs can become a tool helping to see this important aspect.
