Pictures is a part of Luc Kordas’s life, it’s a part of who he’s. An enthusiastic traveller, he spent three months roaming southern Italy after which additional north. Alongside the best way, he photographed road scenes, fishermen, anglers, lovers and the continually stressed sea, along with his Leica M (Typ 240). Intuitive, genuine and freed from any kind of cliché.
Within the work proven, you documented each day life in Italy…
My Italian journey started in the summertime of 2021. I began my journey in Palermo, Sicily, in late August. After a brief street journey across the island, I ended within the lovely baroque city of Scicli, the place I spent a complete month. In October I moved to wet Syracuse, nonetheless in Sicily. From there I travelled up north to my favorite Italian metropolis, Naples, then by way of Rome and Florence to a small quiet city within the mountains of Tuscany, the place I spent my November. In these three months I went from extraordinarily sizzling days on Sicilian seashores to floods within the previous city of Syracuse, to snowy days in a Dominican monastery hidden in the midst of a Nationwide Park in Tuscany. Fairly the vary.
Isn’t it onerous to keep away from clichés, particularly in Italy?
Not for me. I’ve an aversion to postcard clichés. If I see one, I’d take pleasure in and respect it, however I gained’t take an image until I’ve a artistic angle in thoughts; one thing that might make it mine.
How did you provide you with the thought for this mission?
I wouldn’t name it a mission, however fairly one other chapter in my life. Pictures is part of my on a regular basis life, particularly after I’m travelling – and I journey usually. I flew to Sicily as a result of I had at all times needed to expertise the south of Italy, and notably that lovely island. I had no plan nor a time restrict; I simply photographed no matter attracted me as I moved by means of the nation. What’s particular about this physique of labor is that it was shot with a Leica that I purchased on the time. I had grown bored with and felt too comfy with my previous cameras. I assumed a brand new one, a rangefinder, would deliver again creativity and pleasure to the method; get my artistic juices going once more. I used to be proper about that. When, after some severe trials and tribulations with the Italian postal system, I lastly acquired the Leica firstly of October final yr, I instantly went out and began taking pictures within the streets of Syracuse. My favorite images genres are road and journey, so photographing Italian cities and cities was merely part of my each day routine; however now, having a brand new digicam, I used to be pressured to decelerate, study and modify. This new Leica modified my fashion a bit and in addition the best way I {photograph}.
What sort of gear did you utilize?
I’ve a Leica M (Typ 240) with 35mm and 50mm lenses. The Leica M (Typ 240) is an older mannequin; it’s been round for nearly a decade. Switching to it from a DSLR was going backwards by way of expertise, but it surely doesn’t imply it’s unhealthy. It made me decelerate and assume extra in regards to the photographs; and it additionally modified my fashion a bit. I couldn’t focus as quick as regular, and I couldn’t {photograph} in extraordinarily low gentle conditions, however I see that as part of the expertise. What I really like about that Leica is the analogue really feel it offers me. For me it was actually essential to {photograph} by means of an optical viewfinder – and a rangefinder at that. The method is a lot extra pleasurable, I really feel instantly linked to the scene. I can’t {photograph} by means of digital viewfinders, it simply doesn’t really feel proper.
How did the individuals react once you photographed them?
I feel some had been a bit stunned. I’d say a bit greater than in New York, the place individuals are used to road photographers. I feel photographing streets wherever else on the earth is a bit more durable in that respect. However in huge metropolises like Rome, Florence or Naples, I used to be simply one other vacationer with a digicam.
Your portfolio exhibits your black and white in addition to your color images. How do you determine when to decide on the one or the opposite?
I shoot in color. The method of deciding to transform a number of the work to black and white, comes all the way down to me an image and pondering it could look good in black and white. It’s that straightforward. It has to do largely with the sunshine and composition; sure photographs are stronger in black and white, and there are photographs that may by no means work in monochrome. However at this level, after I take a look at an image, I do know instantly if it’ll work in black and white or not. So far as the fashion and strategy on this physique of labor, I truly don’t assume I got here very near individuals… or not shut sufficient. In the event you take a look at my New York work you’ll see I got here a lot nearer. In Italy I didn’t really feel as comfy photographing individuals as I’m in my yard, New York; and I feel it exhibits. I’d say in most photographs I’m additional away than regular. That further distance was additionally attributable to me studying how you can work with a manual-focus-only Leica. Fairly often I wasn’t fast sufficient to focus and {photograph} up shut; I wanted extra time and house.
What was the turning level in your life, that made you determine to grow to be a photographer?
Turning into knowledgeable photographer wasn’t simple, it took time, persistence and perseverance. The turning level was after I determined to maneuver to New York. Having been right here twice earlier than, I had a intestine feeling this could be the place to make the leap; as a result of that’s the place I’d completed my finest work.
How would you describe your photographic strategy?
In brief, I attempt to shoot what it looks like I ought to shoot.
Please full the next sentence: Pictures is…
…part of who I’m.
Luc Kordas is a photographer residing and creating largely between New York and Europe, whose work celebrates timeless, on a regular basis moments. Versatile in each color and black and white, he usually chooses the latter for his documentary work, seeing monochrome as a extra highly effective device of expression. An avid traveller who is consistently on the street, he likes to merge his favorite genres of images, transferring freely between documentary, portraiture, journey and road images. Discover out extra about his images on his web site and Instagram web page.
Leica M
The Leica. Yesterday. At the moment. Tomorrow.
