Alexandra Korey

Name: Alexandra Korey

City: Florence, Italy

Camera: Someone once said the best camera you have is the one you have on you. I have an iphone (6s), a Fuji x30 that I bring around with me most of the time, and a Nikon D90 that is a bit old but has its uses.

Main photographic subject: I love landscape photography, though I also tend to focus a lot on the Renaissance art and architecture of Italy, as my blog about art and travel starts from my love of that period.

Style: Natural. I don’t modify much and I like things a little rough around the edges.

Favorite destinations: I moved to Italy from Canada because I was inspired by Florence. I find that Italy offers so much variety of types of experiences and landscapes that I don’t really need to go much further afield.

Influences: My only early influence was my Dad! In university we studied the classics – I even made a trip to the Kodak museum in upstate New York, where they had some original Ansel Adams photos and many other amazing early black and white photographers. Now… I follow a lot of Instagramers, but I would not say that anyone influences my style.

When did you start with photography?

I have been photographing from as long as I can remember, certainly from early childhood!

Where does this passion come from?

My dad was a passionate amateur photographer and we had a darkroom in the house while I was growing up. So at age 3 I was on a stool with my fingers in chemicals! I continued to study photography through high school and university – that was before digital cameras, when darkroom work was taught more than in-camera composition. The passion has continued as an adult and I particularly love the instantaneous ability to share things and get feedback on Instagram.

What do you look for in photography?

Something different. Something that makes you go WOW and look twice.

What does photography mean to you?

For me it’s a way of capturing and sharing what I’m doing, and finding the best way to portray it. I get into the zone and I can spend hours doing it.

What should photography communicate according to you?

It depends what the context is… In a good landscape photo I want it to show depth that the viewer feels she can enter right into.

Do you conceive photography as an instinctive or a more planned activity?

I’ve never thought about this. I guess it’s instinct and also habit, for me. I probably SHOULD plan more occasions to say, get up at dawn and go shoot, as I know that’s how I’d get the best pictures, but I’m too lazy.

What inspires you the most when you travel?

A good Renaissance church will make my day!