Category Finalist 2007: spirit

Damiano Levati

In my university years I started taking pictures of my passions: skiing, biking, and climbing. Then I had to make a decision. On one side I had my master’s degree in electronic engineering with a specialization in artificial intelligence, and on the other I had my camera, my skis, and my bike. Obviously, I chose the second.

My idea of photography is linked to the idea of shooting in action. I like to be part of what I’m shooting, both mentally and physically. This means being ready for the action, and I train to improve my skills and strength. From the beginning, I had the idea that having a camera didn’t make me a photographer. So I’ve been exploring every aspect of photography. Photography is not just a way of earning money or proving to be a good technician. With my small skiers lost in oceans of snow, I try to show that there is a different way to relate with nature. For me, this is the first step in my personal evolution. Thanks to photography, I’m travelling the world and meeting a lot of people. Every new experience enriches me and makes me want to find a new story to be told using only one word: click.

Nationality: Italy