IN CONVERSATION WITH GIANNIS ASMANIS
By Inesa Vėlavičiūtė November 2020
Can visual storytelling deliver as impactful messages as words?
Our messages engraved in visual artworks connect with people and share the way we experience the world. Street photography does exactly that – it observes and captures the routine and the bizarre in everyday urban scenes, and verbalizes both in brilliant artistic ways.
A play of light bursting through a man’s glasses. Click. A look over a shoulder, a quirky angle of his shadow cast on a wall. Click. Following the glance towards his feet, a tiny puddle invites to a vibrant universe in a drop of water. Click. Click. As above, so below, as within, so without.
Braving the elements, wandering and collecting snippets of day-to-day life through images street photographers convert them into time capsules of moments. Each is a unique portrait of emotions, secrets of the city and entrancing profiles of its dwellers: be it a human, a squirrel, or a statue beloved so much by cheeky pigeons.
Exploring the relationships between diverse personalities and their surroundings, photographers “open the doors” to a street as a place where magic and mundane mix & transform, stories enfold and life itself reveals its thrilling and sometimes unexpected colours. Please join me and meet one of the talented artists behind the camera whose passion has gathered a wealth of human nature stories.
IN CONVERSATION WITH GIANNIS ASMANIS
Giannis has been in love with street photography for the past couple of years. This passion shines through his photographic vision – the techniques and colours he uses bring out the character of the story he’s narrating – be it a person, a building, or walls of the city he admires so. Gianni’s journey as an artist began in Thessaloniki, Greece, where his interest in enigmatic human nature has transformed and thus socialising and observing turned into energetic experimenting with the camera. Since then, his curiosity turned into a career and the continuous search for new themes for his “tales” has led him to Edinburgh, Scotland, where I have met him. During our chat, Giannis spoke about portraits and stories of our modern society, and how mirroring reality and channelling its energy through photography can bury a lasting memory in someone’s mind.
Q: How did you get involved in street photography? Why did you choose this particular style?
Well, to start with, I am very social. I have always found myself in environment involving constant interactions with others. I enjoy observing people and analysing their poses, gestures, facial expressions and behaviours. I also love spontaneity and using my imagination in the moment. Mindfulness of what’s around me on a daily basis has inspired me to try and record such moments. My camera became my best friend, it seized what could not be repeated and my admiration for such self-expression grew over time.
As for choosing a style, I do like different types of photography however urban scenes and portraits are a true embodiment of my passion for humanity in its truest form. A camera on the street can document real actions, real emotions, there is no glamour, no artificial lights or any other special equipment. Only a lens is separating you from the reality of the world and I prefer this freedom of a street rather than locking myself in a studio. Another privilege of the streets is variety - discovering something new every day. Take the same flight of stairs you are passing by, for instance, and I think each time you will notice something different about it.
Q: What drives you as an artist? Are there any street photographers who inspired you and influenced your work?
People have shaped and inspired me my whole life. In a way, seeking to explore their true lives made me want to call myself a storyteller rather than a photographer. It’s easy to take a picture but harder to tell a story. That’s what ultimately drives my artwork – showing the heart and soul of people walking in different paths of life.
Talking about other artists, I find Pierre T. Lambert and 7th Era [stage name on social media] to be the two greatest street photographers who inspired me and motivated me to develop my own style.
Q: You use photography as a storytelling tool. What exactly are you trying to communicate through your camera’s lens? How does Giannis, as an artist, see the world?
Everything I experience hits me extremely deep. I feel the energy of myself and others and that’s exactly what I show in my work – my priority is not the composition but the expression of emotions. I think a shot without capturing a moment’s spirit is just a dead image.
I want to sculpt my stories with the power of appealing to people’s senses, making them stop and see, not just rush through their daily lives on autopilot, barely noticing what they are doing and what the world around them is like. I want to encourage my audience to create a story in their mind of what a city is like, with all its structures, vehicles, nature and people. I aim to invite them to explore the surrounding urban ecosystem from up close.
Q: From a more technical point of view, what photographic elements and techniques are you fond of?
I adore working with reflections. I always observe water surfaces, mirrors, windows, anything that gives a reflection, really. I am fascinated by the different perspectives of the visual information one can witness when shots are turned upside down. Such photos capture odd details not always noticeable at first, when looking at them with a naked eye. I also take pleasure in using lines in my compositions. I like the way a viewpoint of a shot can be manipulated by them and change the dynamics of an image.
As for other technicalities, I choose natural light rather than using a flash. Even though it can be challenging due to the uncontrolled environment, it enables me to present clarity and stay as close to reality as possible. I also tend to do little editing to the shots, my motto has always been “Less is More”. My goal is to mirror the scene as I see it.
Q: Speaking of ways of looking at the world, what are your views on the current global pandemic and its influence on street photography? For many of us, it has brought confusion and grief. How did it affect you as an artist?
I see a lot of terrible impacts that COVID-19 has brought around and how it affected the face of Edinburgh city. Each day I pass people on the streets however the true Edinburgh’s heart of inviting and welcoming tourists is somewhat not beating as it used to. As a result, there are fewer stories out there for me to work with. In addition to this, this unfortunate situation has affected my other collaborations and projects. It is getting increasingly more difficult to move forward as an artist.
Nonetheless, I am an optimist and I believe that through discipline and respect for each other we will survive this unusual time. A day will come when the Beat of Edinburgh (and the world) will come back.
I already have a lot of new artistic ideas for when this happens. As I often joke, as a daydreamer and a night-thinker I will never run out of them. The only thing missing now is the freedom to make them happen.
Q: Despite the restrictions caused by this unprecedented situation, what projects are you currently working on?
I am truly excited to be involved in an online exhibition “Coming Together”, which launches on 15th November and (free) tickets for it can be purchased on Eventbrite platform. The project is focusing on social interactions of Southern Europeans and Scots, as well as other nationalities, and features works that celebrate diversity and friendship without borders. It is also a part of the AHRC-sponsored Being Human Festival 2020. I am delighted to have witnessed humanity sharing kindred emotions in these adverse times.
Another project I am currently working on is a donation campaign inspired by the time I’ve spent in Edinburgh and experiences it granted me. Putting the pandemic aside, this year has been amazing for me. I developed in so many different ways as a photographer and storyteller. I am humbled by this inspiration and want to give back to the streets of the city that gave me so much. For me, life has always been about “give and take” and so my gift of gratitude comes in a form of Edinburgh Calendar 2021, which is made of a collection of my works showing our authentic and beautiful city. It can be purchased online or in person and the profits will be donated to a charity to
provide food and other necessities to homeless people and those most in need. I believe every small step contributes to a major difference.
In the past few months I have also been organising a game for amateur street photographers – The Street Photography Challenge. A number of participants have joined me in accepting the challenge and taking pictures by employing 4 different techniques in a limited time. The game helps in developing the skills of speed and observation. All of it have been recorded and can be found on my Youtube channel. It has it all – the adrenaline, the laughs, the confessions. So far the project only has a few series but I am planning to continue in arranging more in the future. Anyone interested are very welcome to join in!
Q: It is always very inspiring to watch artists trying to change the world through their work. Do you believe a society can get united by street spirit?
Yes, I do believe that art has a power to change the world and our lives as it fights for taking off our blindfolds. We, humans, need a reminder of harsh realities others have to face in difficult times and even though I alone cannot change much but my great hope is that people will get inspired by the personal stories in my work and the silent voices will finally be heard.
“Do not judge by appearances; a rich heart may be under a poor coat”, a Scottish proverb says. And so I gathered quite a lot of stories tackling and raising society’s awareness of public issues. My pictures offer a share in experiences of others, inviting to slip into another person’s skin, another person’s soul. I am convinced that art can bring us together and make us more tolerant and supportive towards others.
Q: What are your future plans, when life gets “back to normal”?
I would like to go back to organising street photography events. I had planned my first event to take place in August however the pandemic took a turn for the worse and I’m now left waiting and observing quietly. Who knows, maybe it will give me more food for thought to my ideas – sometimes what we learn and who we become in the process of waiting is even more important than what we are waiting for.
Since one of my life goals is bringing people together, my biggest aspiration is to create small communities of street photographers around the world, all coming together to share their passion and knowledge with each other. I am always looking for collaborations so if anyone wants to take part in this, or have other proposals, feel free to contact me.
Q: As someone who is nurturing aspiring street photographers, can you share a few tips on how to learn to spot and capture powerful shots of human nature for those who are just starting their journey?
I believe the genre of street photography has such an immense artistic freedom. Rules and techniques are a good starting point but as the actual practice and the photographer’s personality as an artist grows, his style should be re-defined through the voice of his works.
Capture what you think is important. Maintain a mindful attitude and absorb life as it unfolds, moment by moment. The simple practice of paying close attention to the present is a very powerful and effective tool for learning a lot about the nature of humanity.
I value minimalism and simplicity above all else. Instead of cramming as much as possible into your shot do less, and, with more concentration. It applies to the editing process as well.
But most importantly, follow your intuition and just ‘shoot’ from the heart! And no matter what route you take and style you use, make it your own – be a voice, not an echo.
To see more of Gianni’s artwork check out his website and social media platforms:
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