Extraordinary! The light. The colors. The vibrancy of life...it's JUST what we need right now. Luckily, global photographer Mathias Falcone is here for us. He is a master at sharing essence of people, and place.

Mathias is a travel photographer and film director born in Italy and currently living in London. His work tackles the ever-changing relationships between individuals and their surroundings, focusing on places and faces bound to mutate before time makes it course. Mathias has a predilection for Africa, minimalist landscapes, fishers, and loves to dig the unseen out of popular destinations.

How did you get interested in photography?
I clearly remember how it all started out of pure instinct when I was 18 years old. I got my first phone camera and photographing became instantly addictive. I remember loving taking candid shots of friends, trying extreme compositions, and exploring evocative landscapes. Over the years, I've had lots of fun with behind-the-scenes shoots, event photography and various experiments, but my photographic mission became clear only when instinct took a decisive turn towards travel and documentary photography. I fully embraced it and never looked back since.

How long have you been a photographer?
13 years now, including the early playful days.

What is your favorite place or thing to photograph?
Fishers, craftspeople, and all things Africa. 

I was born and grew up in a coastal city in North-East Italy, and being around fishers brings me right back to childhood and often results in wonderful nostalgic pictures. 

I experience photographing craftspeople as time travel, no kidding: you see them at work, share the same room, and suddenly feel such strong connection with that place, the passage of time, decades of tradition and dedication to their craft... it's like history suddenly opening up right in front of you.

Africa is a long conversation: like many, I love its astonishing nature, wildlife, and landscapes, but also have a profound respect for the tragic side of the continent and take any chance to share the photographs I took there to help raise awareness. Poverty, bare survival, slums, and dangerous urban areas are a reality deserving true change.

How can photographers be a part of change in the world?
For me, it's all about creative and intellectual honesty. Visual storytelling contributes like never before in shaping today's world history for the books - for the good and the bad. Photographers, filmmakers, and artists can be part of change by committing to work reflecting their very own life ideals and creative ambitions.

Do you have any trips planned for the future, and if so what are you looking forward to?
My next destination is Montenegro. The plan is capturing the whole extent of the country during off-peak season—needless to say, incredibly exciting! And next year, my resolution is all about turning two potential projects in Botswana and Ghana into reality. They would bring my relationship with Africa to a whole new level.

Any photography tips you want to share?
Spend all the time you need to figure out which kind of photographer you want to be, then stick to it no matter what. And always carry two more batteries than you think you need.

Find Mathias online:

IG @mathiasfalcone
FB https://www.facebook.com/thiasfalcone 
website: www.mathiasfalcone.com
Filmography: www.imdb.me/mathiasfalcone

All photos © Mathias Falcone 2020. All rights reserved