Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Fabrizio.
Johnny, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Surprisingly, or maybe not, my love for photography was born out of a curiosity of process rather than an interest in art. The University of Maryland, my alma mater, was offering an introduction to photography class and I thought it would be interesting to learn how film is developed and printed. I wanted to learn what a darkroom was and why I needed to use one to make prints. I wanted to understand how a roll of film purchased at Walgreens could produce an image.
Now, prior to this, my uncle had given me his old Canon AE-1 with a couple lenses. I shot a couple rolls with it for fun and got some interesting results but nothing noteworthy. I had no idea what I was doing but I was amazed by the richness of color and sharpness of the final image from a camera more than a decade older than me.
This class was what completely drew me into the world of photography, starting from an interest in process which ultimately blossomed into a love for the art. I was spending hours a day in the darkroom. I was experimenting with alternative photochemistry, techniques, and printing styles. I can admit now that I was using a lot of these techniques as a crutch for my lack of skill in photography. Exaggerated and altered colors from cross-processing color negative film in E-6 chemistry was somewhat of a badge of honor for me. My photography wasn’t compositionally impressive but it was definitely interesting looking.
Fast forward a few years, love for the art of photography has taken over me. While I still love experimenting with process, I’m much more interested in a great photo.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I make photographs using mostly traditional techniques. I shoot everything on film, I develop it myself, and I either print it in a darkroom or scan it myself.
I don’t stick to one type of subject but the photographs I’ve shot that I’m most proud of tend to be captured feelings on the street and in nature. I’m proud of anything I’ve made that feels candid. Sometimes that’s found in a portrait, sometimes it’s found in a rainy Chicago street scene. I’m not much for super stylized scenes with tons of art direction. Don’t get me wrong, I love that stuff but I am not good at it. Believe me, I’ve tried.
In general, I’d like for people to get a real sense of “I feel like I’m there” when they look at my photography. The underlying “feeling” of a place or a person is what I’m most interested in.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I wouldn’t say the role of artists has changed, I just think it’s more important than ever. Artists are uniquely positioned to tell stories of people and highlight important issues in a way that’s both consumable and enjoyable. That’s a very powerful thing.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I post recent work on my Instagram. I also have a website which is in dire need of some recent work. I also sell prints for anyone who’s interested. They can contact me directly through email for that sort of thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johnnyfabrizio.com
- Email: hello@johnnyfabrizio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyfabrizio/
Image Credit:
Johnny Fabrizio
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