First of all, is one of my aims to create images that are visually original, unique and conceptual. I have this system developed during the years, to keep a note-book with all images that I see in magazines and that 'hit my mind'. I cut them out and glue into this sort of visual 'bible'.

Mostly they are images very creative, humorous, crazy and conceptual. I use these as source of inspiration or simply to keep my mind trained to think differently and creatively.

Simplicity is another word that is important to me. I often think that less is better.

One of my best images (besteller) is one of open female open female hand in blue, with orange butterfly over it.

Just two elements. And stunning color contrast.

Image on the left
Freedom -- a female hand in gesture of giving freedom to an orange butterfly

I haven't a 'creative procedure' for my images. I must say that the best works often came out unexpected, as an association of ideas, maybe looking at a movie or reading an intersting article or seeing a photo.

Of course, as all creative people do, I keep a diary where I scribble down bits of ideas, concepts I'd like to express, and themes.  Sometimes I draw a sketch of a complete idea when is already clear in my mind. But basically I think my best ideas are those that aren't planned ahead.

Usually I recognize a good idea, because I don't just put it down on paper, but I rush to realize it as soon as I can. That's the first clue: the impossibility to resist to put it out.

female hand holding a bulb over a green natural blurred background as concept for green energy

I consider myself an instictive artist, but I'm learning with age to do more planning and to concentrate on what is really worthwhile to try.

I also try to juice out from one idea all the possible variations before coming to an end. I use for example the image of hands open with butterfly.

Those hands were the base for a series of other ideas. With clock, our planet earth, numbers, an eye (yes, Man Ray inspiration! :-) and several other concepts. This system, that I would call 'oversqueezing' of an idea, is particularly good for stock photography, in my opinion.

-- sepia toned open female hands with a monarch butterfly as concept for creation

I process my images (now I work just in RAW) with adobe Lightroom and then use Photoshop accordingly. Many my images are 'collages' so I need to make selections, montages, use layers and so on... Very often I stumble across some new and interesting visual results during my experiments with Photoshop, there are endless possibilities.

Of course I'm a fanatic of digital photography, despite the fact I came from the old school of film photography. I like the possibility of instant review the most. The second advantage I really appreciate, is the time savings. No more waiting for film development. I'm really an impatient person, and in the old times to wait also just one day for film development was a pain for me! Now, I can download to my computer at once my new images and have complete control over it. Unbeatable.