Q: Give us an introduction. Who is Francesco, (aka TakeuchiFilm)?

A: I'm Francesco Aglieri Rinella and I'm a 29-year-old photographer based in Italy. My photography is a slow-down process to understand lights and situations. I'm focused on the study of light to express myself through unrepeatable instants, including emotional reflections and mental expansions.

Q: What inspired you to start your photography journey and which pivotal moments or experiences have contributed to the development of your distinct photographic style?

A: I was fascinated by photography since I was a teenager, I liked documenting moments of daily life with old camcorders from which I then took screenshots to create series of photos.

Later, already in adulthood, I felt the need to have a dedicated tool and decided to buy my first digital camera in 2017.

As a racing car enthusiast, I began by photographing cars at rallies in the cities I visited for work. However, I felt that something was changing and I began to explore the genre of portrait and artistic nude. In 2019, after a trip to Japan, I realized how essential it was for me to document moments of everyday life, trivial and simple, where the search for a beauty never seen before satisfied me greatly.

After that year, the pandemic in Italy forced us to stay indoors or not to leave the cities. There I started documenting everything that was ordinary and trying to make it extraordinary, especially by deepening the use of analog photography.

Film has completely matured and changed the way of seeing things. I managed to slow down the processes, studying the light and interpreting the most banal scenes as real works of art.

Inspired by vintage aesthetics, my research has expanded into American landscape genres. I have mastered the use of medium format film which has allowed me to love photography like never before.

In the last few years I managed to travel to the United States to start working on a collection of images dedicated to the Old West.

These trips have once again changed my photographic perception making me part of a reality never seen before but that I have been looking for for a long time.

Q: How would you characterize your photography style and which influences or experiences have played a major role in its formation? Are there any specific artists whose work inspires you?

A: My photography was inspired by the longtime photographers who built the New Topographics genre. The study of the man altered landscape, so to speak a technical photograph of a topographic study, allows me to see simple but meaningful scenarios through the camera. Man and nature are in contrast and the constant alteration over time means that each photograph is different over time.

My biggest influence is Stephen Shore, a cornerstone of the genre who in the 70s was able to take photography to the next level, using color for the first time and setting himself apart from the standards of the time. I consider "Uncommon Places" my absolute bible, a book that I often go back to leaf through to understand more and more facets and deepen the photographic study.

Q: What aspects of photography do you find the most challenging and rewarding, particularly when it comes to capturing moments or narrating stories through your images?

A: The beauty of photography is the "time machine" effect that we are able to capture. It's easy to take photographs nowadays, and each of us is distinguished by several factors. But the main point that unites us is precisely related to time. There may be millions and millions of photographs but each one is unique because it belongs to that specific moment and point of view. From there extends the possibility of integrating stories and historical backgrounds behind every single image. In short, many opportunities.

Q: What guidance would you offer to aspiring photographers hoping to establish themselves in the field? Are there any resources or practices that have been particularly valuable in your own artistic development?

A: As an emerging artist I feel like motivating those who haven't tried it yet, bet everything on passion and perseverance and the results will arrive in the short term. In a digitized and open era like ours it is easy to participate and immerse yourself in a career or simply inspiring environment for a simple enthusiast. The studio is certainly a main source for a good photographic income. Read books, compare your visions with those of the past and above all with those of the present. Don't get carried away by trends but use them to your advantage to understand what is important in your life through photography.

Try to use each medium as possible, from prints to NFTs!

Q: Can you tell us about any forthcoming projects, events, collaborations, or other news you'd like to share? Please also provide your social media handles and online portfolio, so we can keep up with your latest work!

A: I'm right now working on the release of my first photo book “West Safari", that will see a publication by this year.

I'm very excited to share more with you through my main channels:

Website: http://www.francescoaglieri.com

Instagram: @takeuchi.film

Twitter: @takeuchifilm

Q: Finally, is there anything that I didn’t ask you that you’d like to share with everyone?

A: If photography makes you happy, go full time with it! Don't follow any rules and build your own style based on your influences. Enjoy!

Thank you Kelsey for this space, appreciate you a lot!

Right back at you, Amico! I can’t wait to get my copy of “West Safari” as soon as it comes out!