Matteo Alessio Belcore

“I draw the greatest inspiration for my photographs from the photos of others”

Intercru: Where are you from? Where are you living/working now?

Matteo: I am originally from a small town near Salerno where I lived for many years before moving to Turin.

Now I have been living in Pisa for the past 8 years, and I am a university student of philosophy.

What got you interested in photography? How long have you been taking photos?

I have been photographing for a year but my training does not come from photography. Photography was a very pleasant inconvenience. My training comes from the different filmmaking courses that I have done. I have learned everything about photography on my own.

I’m not sure what I like about photography. I take photographs just trying to find the same feeling I get when I see a photo I like.

What are some of your favorite accounts to follow on Instagram?

I really like the simplicity of Alessio Albi and Emanuele Di Mare and lately I’ve been looking for that simplicity. But I like so many photographers and I try to learn from each one.

On my Instagram profile I have featured stories that are dedicated to my favorite photo profiles.

Where do you find inspiration for your photography?

I draw the greatest inspiration for my photographs from the photos of others. It took me some time to realize that Instagram is the best resource for me.

Without effort, directly on the Instagram home, I love having the opportunity to easily see some photos of the highest level and photos that are made with very different styles.

How would you describe your photographic style?

Shooting for just one year I don’t think I still have a photographic style. I try to be authentic as much as possible.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received about photography?

“Everything you do is a copy, whether you know this or not.”

By eliminating the details, I do not believe that one can be original, with such a rich artistic production. What I look for in my photos is not originality; I would not even be able to do it. I think that in a photo, its aesthetic value is more important than its originality. I therefore believe that there is nothing wrong with copying the style of others.

Another piece of advice that I would give to others is not to find excuses and justifications if a photo is not successful. Unforeseen events happen to everyone, even to great artists. So why do they produce art and many others don’t? To improve you have to take your own responsibility, total responsibility for what you produce. In this case the photographs but I think this speech can also be valid for other things in life as well.