LomoGuru of the Week: arsomilio

A graphic designer by profession, our LomoGuru of the Week has been an ardent analogue shooter for five years. Aside from photography, he also runs a magazine about art and culture in Florence. Read on to find out more about Samuele Formiconi or arsomilio, our LomoGuru of the Week!

Name: Samuele Formiconi
LomoHome: arsomilio
Location: Florence, Italy
Number of years as a Lomographer: 5 years
Number of years in the Community: 5 years

Tell us something about yourself.

I’m a graphic designer working in a studio. Because of my addiction to graphic design and art, I created a free press, a magazine about art and culture in Florence, with some friends. This is a real busy activity, but very charming and allows me to know more people. It is very challenging in terms of being creative and maintaining a community.

Tell us something about your LomoHome’s name.

My nickname comes from the dialect of my hometown. I was born in Osimo, where many other great Lomographers come from like superlighter. The word arsomijo exactly means “photography”. More precisely, it means the action that we now call as selfie.

So, in a way my LomoHome’s name is a tribute to my origin, to which I am still devoted to, although I have lived in Florence since almost 15 years ago.

Share with us your most memorable experience in the Lomographic Community.

Oh, well, I still remember the great emotion I had when I was selected as LomoHome of the Week. I remember that I took a lot of photos to improve my skills and test different films and cameras. I was not satisfied with most of my shots but clearly not everyone was thinking of the same thing about my work.

And every time I win a Competion, which I really love taking part. Well, it’s always amazing when the Community recognizes my photo as one the best.

Have you actually met people in the Community that you now consider as close friends? If yes, name at least one of them.

This is a very hard question. I mean, It’s not easy to make friends virtually but thanks to Facebook or even the website, I had the opportunity to know a lot of Lomographers like goonies, tsingtao, cryboy, weidong and much more. They are all beautiful, funny and interesting people.

Since now, the only one I had the pleasure to meet in person is superlighter but it is only because we came from the same city and we know each other before getting into Lomography community.

Except him, I never met anyone from the Italian community. Thought, I know there are a lot of lomomeetings happening almost everywhere but surely I’ll fix this as soon as possible.

Do you think you’ll still be taking Lomographs in the next 5 years? Why?

Of course! Well, I don’t know why but I’m totally sure about that!

What is your favorite Lomo camera and why? Do you have any memorable experiences using this camera?

Another hard question but as every good Lomographer, I own umpteen cameras and I’m not particularly attached to any of them. I let the moment carry me away, go by my feelings and my emotions, or even just by what I want to do.

Recently, I always carry my LC-A Russia day with me. From a particular point of view, I think it’s the perfect machine. It’s small and always ready to shot, unpredictable, and every time someone see that camera, they always shout out: “Wow! It’s amazing! But how do you develop films?”

Please share with us your favorite Lomographic shot and explain why you love that particular image.

It’s not my best shot but It’s the one I like the most. I mean, everyone knows the 10 rules, but I think that everyone of us during that particular moment when we press the shutter, we WOULD always imagine for a certain image. And when you discover that this particular picture turned out exactly like the way you imagined it, you’ll certainly feel the best.

Please share a Lomograph you wish you had taken and explain why.

I love the XPro film and its satured colours, I like “double” and I love testing the unpredictable. More so, I really wish I have an LC-Wide. These elements are in this picture and that’s the main reason why I love this it.

What’s the best Lomographic or photography advice you think you have given?

The day when I told to my brother, “Buy a La Sardina!”

If there’s one song or movie that best describes your Lomo life, which one is it and why?

I definitely have no doubt about that: The Big Lebowski.

Well, I think this film precisely describes what the Lomography Philosophy is for me. Without expecting so much, Dude Lebowski was able to have incredible experiences. He faced life as it is while trying to remain true to himself. Also, everyone knows that Jeff Bridges have a wonderful Widelux!

Is there any advice you can give to new analogue shooters?

Learn the 10 rules. Load the film in your favorite camera. Forget the 10 rules. Shoot.

2014-04-20 #videos #lifestyle #lomoguru #lomoguru-of-the-week