Few days ago i share an interview on one of the biggest magazines in Greece which is about artists!I would highly appreciate it if you share your feedbacks as it will make me to be a better person a better artist!
Lets gooooooo
Giannis Asmanis is an amateur photographer, who lives and works in Edinburgh, Scotland. Giannis Asmanis is a lover of street art photography and his artistic style is reflected in his photographs, which provide a different point of view of his loving passion. This fact is after all evident in his photography. Giannis Asmanis talked to Maxmag about his life in the beautiful city of Scotland, Edinburgh, his love for photography, and about the art’s dynamics. He also talks to us about the projects he carries out with the photographers’ group Street Shooters GR.
Giannis, thank you for accepting to conduct this interview and, if you are ready, we can start … Let’s go!! Giannis, over the past few years, you live and work in Scotland. How did you reach the decision to leave Greece and move abroad?
Greetings to all the readers. I will try to phrase it as simply and as politely as possible. I was tired of not being accepted at jobs for having a pacemaker. In every single job interview I was conducting or was applying for, they would not accept me, because they were of the opinion that having a pacemaker was a problem. But in truth, the pacemaker itself was part of another problem. After many tries, refusals, and disappointment of being judged based on the pacemaker I am required to have, I told myself that I would leave abroad.
How did photography enter your life?
I was unemployed and my only option to fill my everyday life was to take my phone and go out on the streets of Thessaloniki, in order to capture in photos the pulse of the city. My friends and family started commenting that they very much loved my photos and, after a lot of thought and help from my family on the financial aspect, I took photography lessons.
What is the style of photography that most affected you and why?
Undeniably, I would have to say street photography, which I still perform, although after 5 years I am involved with all styles of photography, in the case that I am asked by other people, or in the case I choose so myself. Why street photography? Because in this style exist all the true emotions and the people’s stories, which happen in real-time. Although, to be completely honest, I am not one of the street-style photographers that will pick up their camera and take photos of everything around them. I will think about the shot, I will implement technique, optics, and frame, for I am, in a word, selective about the way I want my composition in a street shot. You could say I am a little more of an artist than a photographer.
What makes a photo so unique, that it forever remains engraved in the mind of an individual?
In one word, feeling. The stronger the feeling, either positive or negative, it is what will attract the gazes. I will never forget one particular shot, an emaciated girl lying on the ground shriveled up and the predator waiting for the girl’s life to end. A Pulitzer photo shot! I do not know if I want ta take such shots. I have indeed taken some cruel shots, not like the aforementioned one, but I have never posted them.
What is your favorite camera lens type and why do you prefer it the most?
As my mentor had mentioned, the best camera is the one you have on you. I stand by that quote. As far as the camera lens is concerned, I will have to go with the 28-75 one, because you can perform multiple tasks at the same time.
One picture is worth a thousand words. I will alter that phrase slightly and I will say that that one shot is worth a thousand words. Does that phrase represent you?
I will have to answer with a yes. Every time I post a photo, my aim represents the story behind the photo, as I am trying to make the viewer understand, in as few words as possible, what I want to say and why was this shot taken.
Do you think that details are the ingredient that makes the difference?
YES, YES, YES. First of all, at least for me, composition plays a major role, as well as how the photographer is able to present his frame. I have a motto and, every time, I try to share it with other artists, “less is more”. In actuality, the less you say the more you can convey. This train of thought I have naturally turned into a way of life.
You are a member and photographer of the team Street Shooters GR. Can you talk to us about the team and its activities?
I absolutely love bringing people together and I have been performing this task for many years, even since I was involved in the art of dancing. Every time I succeed in bringing people together under a mutual goal, under a mutual art such as photography in the present case, I will admit to you that I tear up, because I witness artists, lovers of the art, interacting with each other and with the models who work with us and that makes me happy, the fact that I can make all of this a reality. Our community was created after the first 5 meet up projects that took place and, as of now, our community already consists of 3 administrators and a hundred members.
The purpose of our community is to bring people together, to inspire, interact, educate, meet, share, have fun and play with the art of photography. We have so far created 6 meet up photography projects in Athens, Thessaloniki, and, recently, our first photography trip abroad, in the city of Krakow, took place. Anon, two more meet up projects are underway in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The activities of our community consist of providing photographers and models with the chance of interacting with each other through the art of photography. What happens every time is so magical and beautiful that, as much as I want to participate as a photographer, I remain a spectator in the art created by the participants and I am left speechless. Maybe I enjoy being a memory collector a little too much. Everything is organized via e-mail and those who wish to become members should register on our community’s Linktree.
Do you think that a young photographer, with the artistic structures provided in Greece, can hope to cope in this field?
Unfortunately, art in Greece is misunderstood. Another purpose of our community is to try to break this stereotype and that's why, in our way, we try to “sow” art now to “reap” later. I believe that if I had not moved abroad, I would not have developed myself as much. Maybe that's why I want to provide back to Greece and its artists, because we have so many artists, what I have learned here in Scotland. Knowledge should be shared freely and generously. If I can inspire even one person positively, I feel richer than yesterday and poorer than tomorrow.
A big part of your life is photography. However, another part of you works as a tour guide in Edinburgh. What can one hope to see, if they visit this beautiful city?
Edinburgh is a fairytale town. For nature lovers, all of nature’s elements exist inside the city. The medieval elements are the ones that prevail in its architecture. The rapid change of weather conditions due to the winds is impressive because in this way it creates mysterious atmospheric scenes in the narrow streets of the city. Edinburgh is twice the size of Thessaloniki and has 500.000 people. Those interested in visiting the city of Edinburgh should estimate that they will for sure need 6-7 days. The city of Edinburgh has a certain beauty throughout its four seasons and you have to visit it more than once. Every destination can give you something, Edinburgh gives you everything!
A tool for your work is YouTube. Can you talk to us about your channel and what can someone expect to see when they visit it?
I created the channel because I like to record my experiences to preserve them as a memory in my old age. However, I really enjoy sharing my travel experiences, my knowledge of photography, and the meetings with other artists that we create with the Street Shooters GR community. My channel is such a combination, but above all, I try to inspire as positively as I can with my actions.
"Buy me a coffee". Could you tell us a few words about your activities relating to charity?
A project that I did not expect would reach such enormous proportions last year. Every year I try to make a charitable donation to people in need. This is because my whole photography style started from the street, so I wanted, and always wish, to give back to the streets since that's where I started my journey in photography.
There are too many homeless people and through “Buy me a coffee” I had the opportunity, either through donations or through the sale of my photos by my supporters, to make a charity for every £100 I collected. After 6 months we managed to perform 3 charities with the biggest donation happening in Athens and with the supporters of this effort being present with me. I was just the medium, the people were the ones who truly supported this whole project. The purpose was bigger than that, something that was not visible but I am glad that some people perceived it and I believe something changed at least from our side. It is called "Pay it forward", the same title as the movie with Kevin Spacey. I suggest that you watch it, in order to perceive the whole concept in the same way that I perceived it.
What are your future dreams?
Dreams never truly end. I would like to travel all around the world. Traveling provides you with knowledge and transforms you into a better person. I would like to have a shot in my collection from every part of this planet. Being more on the realistic side, I want to be well in my health, be able to create photographic art with our community in Greece and abroad, bring people together and create art and fun.
Last but not least, I would like to urge you to chase your dreams, share love, and be kind. Kindness is your greatest weapon!
Many thanks to Gannis Asmanis for providing us with the photos.
CHIEF EDITOR Maria Antoniou, February 6 2023
Translate by Nikos Toliopoulos
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