Any one of us has the ability to pick up a camera and take a photograph. Then there are those who can pick up a camera and deliver stunning, articulate renderings. David Pizzoferrato is just that kind of Photographer.I met David recently in St. Johns Michigan. We both attended a benefit
to save the Crosby Mint farm from bank foreclosure. I was there with a group of poets to do readings and David was there to support his friend, Linette Crosby owner of the Crosby Mint farm.

I noticed David wandering around with his camera taking candid shots
of the goings on there, and I had the opportunity to sit and talk with
David for just a few moments. He gave me his business card and we both
agreed that we would be in touch with one another.

I thought it to be an enlightening experience, and felt the readers of
Troubadour 21 deserved to hear a little more about this excellent
photographic artist. David has agreed to sit down to an interview with us, and you.
Below are the excerpts of that interview.

T21: David, it’s a pleasure to have you with us to discuss your craft of
photography and what it means to you as an artist. Can you tell us
when you first started taking pictures?

David: Thanks, Bill. It’s a pleasure to speak with you, and thank you
for your very kind words. Since a very young age, I was captivated by
old family photographs. We had box loads of them. They were magical to me. Here, held in your hand, were moments frozen in time to study,
admire and to love. A window into the past, and one that you could make an emotional connection with. And you could revisit these photographs over and over again through the years. They became like old friends, and you grew fonder of them as the years went by. All
this, from a photograph! I wanted to make my own. So that’s where it
all began for me, probably for a lot of other reasons as well.

T21: I have seen some of your work at your website, http://www.pizzophotography.com/

and also at your other site, http://www.flickr.com/photos/pizzo/ .
Your technique is unlike any that I have ever seen. There is a
richness to these renderings that surpasses the typical photo. Can you
share with our readers the type of equipment you use?

David: Sure. I get asked this question frequently. I shoot with a
Canon 1Ds Mark III, a Canon 5D Mark II, and a host load of different
lenses and filters. But I have to say that while equipment is
important, it’s not the equipment that turns out great photography.
It’s the photographer and his vision. You could have the best
equipment in the world and still only produce “snap shots”. By the
same token, it is possible to shoot an award winning photograph with a
$100 point and shoot camera. Of course, pro equipment provides the
photographer with the tools needed to shoot under a broad range of
circumstances and conditions that consumer level gear cannot do. So
there is a difference. But again, the most important ingredient is the
photographer’s vision. As a professional photographer, you literally
have to learn how to “see” in a different way than we do in our normal
day to day lives. There are rules of composition, lighting
considerations, vantage point, focal length decisions, depth of field,
shutter speeds, ISO settings, and a bunch of other aspects that
eventually become second nature when you’re behind the lens. All these
things are important ingredients. But in spite of all this, I still
have the capability to turn out a blah photo. All professional
photographers do.

T21: Do you use any type of photo editing software?

David: Oh yes. Digital post production work is really important. With the right editing software, I can take an average photo and enhance it greatly. I can make your skin glow with health, de-emphasize wrinkles, make your eyes sparkle, shave off a few pounds, make your hair shiny and glamorous, and I can even take a dour expression and make it smile. The real skill however, lies in the ability to edit without making it evident that it’s edited. Especially to the subject!
I have thousands of hours spent honing these skills, and use them
judiciously. It depends of the type of photography I’m engaged in at
the time, and whether I’m attempting to capture reality, or if I’m
trying to make my own reality. Sometimes I take my editing to the
extreme on purpose, to enter into the world of the hyper-real. Does
that make sense?

T21: Can you give our readers more information with regards to your
studio and gallery? How can they contact you for prints or for sittings?

David: My studio is a converted garage space in my home. I considered
a store front type of space away from home, but I wanted my creative
space to be within footsteps of where I live. It’s not uncommon for me
to get inspiration at 2 AM, and I don’t want to be far from the studio
for that reason. Photography is my mad passion and I need to have my
tools nearby, within instant reach. You might say I’m obsessed. You’d
be right. I have some of my work on display the art gallery in St
Johns, so anyone can visit there any time to see my work. You can also
see most of my work at my website or on flickr. I can be contacted for
sittings via my website where you can drop me an email, or by calling
me direct at 517-281-5110.

T21: Most of us have the need to create in one way or another. What
message is it that you hope to convey through your photography?

David: I want to stir the emotions. With event photography, like a
wedding, I have the honor of creating a photo journal of what is
probably the most important day ever in the lives of the bride and the
groom. The shoot starts early in the morning, and gets over usually
around 10pm. My goal is to accurately tell the wedding day story in
beautiful photographs, all the while being as invisible as possible.
I’m there to capture the emotion, the fun, the romance, the laughter,
the tears, the drama, the spectacle of all the important key events of
the day, as well as the spontaneous moments. I am the bride’s personal
personal paparazzi for a day. It’s thrilling, really. And hard work.
And while everyone is dining at the wedding reception, I am on my
laptop racing to put together a slide show of some of the days most
memorable moments, set to emotionally charged music, and shown later
in the evening on my giant portable screen and sound system for all to
enjoy. Laughter and tears from the guests tell me I’ve done a good job
of it. Along with my great wife and assistant, we pour our hearts and
souls into every wedding.

T21: Can you give us an idea of your future projects and what we can
look forward to with regards to your photography?

David: In terms of creativity, I really work without a map. Even on a paid shoot it’s more of a discovery process for me rather than a plan.
I let inspiration act as my guide. The beauty is always there, it’s just a matter of discovering it, rather than trying to intentionally create it. Does that make sense? An example would be these two photos of a beautiful young pregnant women I recently had the pleasure of working with. Megan absolutely radiated with the glow of new life. These
works are heavily manipulated in post production. Did I set out to
create this look? No. The emotion and beauty in these shots were
already there. I simply uncovered them. Or a shot of a young R&B artist that goes by the name of “Z”. Z is originally from Africa, and came to the US when he was in his teens. A photo of Z shows a very strong, yet at the same time a quiet sense of confidence and pride. Others may sense something different, but there is little doubt that this image speaks.

David Pizzoferrato is a photographer and artist whose photographic renderings move the body and spirit to inspiration and sheer joy. It was a
privilege for me to have met David and learn more about his work and
also the person. Please take the time to go to David’s websites and
view his amazing photography.