Exploring the World Through His Lens: Mario Tarantino
Born in South Africa—to a Neapolitan father and a French mother, Mario’s early life was defined by movement, exploration, and a unique blend of cultures. Today, based out of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, Mario continues to explore the world—but now through the viewfinder of his camera. Although his fascination with photography began in childhood, it wasn’t until later in life that he truly embraced it as an art form.
Mario’s love for travel is undeniable, but his passion for photography is what truly defines him. Growing up, his family’s constant travel exposed him to diverse landscapes and architectural wonders, which would later fuel his artistic vision. Mario believes that photography and travel are two sides of the same coin, each complementing and enhancing the other. Through his lens, he captures the essence of the places he visits, turning ordinary scenes into extraordinary works of art. His photographic style is characterized by minimalism. Inspired by the surrealists—Magritte, Breton, and de Chirico—his work often conveys a sense of simplicity and subtlety, adhering to the principle that "less is more." His compositions are often monochromatic, utilizing the rich, deep blacks and crisp whites to create images that are both powerful and emotive. "I find that the simplicity of monochromatic imagery, with all its tonal nuances, can make the mundane marvelous," Mario explains. His use of long exposures and preference for low-light conditions create low-key images that evoke deep emotion, capturing moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.
While Mario appreciates color, his heart belongs to black and white photography. "The surreal nature of the monochromatic palette has always fascinated me," he says. Black and white imagery offers a timeless elegance that transcends trends and movements, making it a perfect medium for his minimalist style.
Greatest inspirations or influences ?
My inspiration comes from many different sources, the greats always being a constant. Some of the photographers that immediately spring to mind would be Berenice Abott, Lucien Herve, Ansell Adams and Sebastiao Salgado to name but a few - these artists continue to influence the way in which I work.
Working within creative circles also brings inspiration and I often find it from other artisitic disciplines and painters. I have a great admiration for painters, the surrealists, Giorgio de Chirico, Paul Delvaux, and Yves Tanguy as well as some of the historical landscape painters such as Albert Bierstadt, Even Ulwing and many others.
Navigating the Digital Age
Mario recognizes the impact of technology on the art of photography. While he acknowledges the benefits of digital photography—such as its accessibility and the democratization of the medium—he also laments the loss of certain traditional practices, like darkroom development, which he considers an art in itself. “Today, everything done in a darkroom is replicated on a screen,” he reflects. Yet, he finds joy in the meticulous process of post-production, treating it as an almost artisanal craft. "The act of creating images, from capturing them in the field to crafting them afterward, is incredibly rewarding," he says.
In a time when Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming creative industries, Mario remains committed to the authenticity of his craft. While he sees AI as another tool for artistic expression, he believes in the importance of celebrating the natural world. “Sometimes we can become obsessed with the artificial and forget that our world is full of amazing places,” he states. For Mario, photography is about more than just capturing an image; it's about immersing oneself in the environment, experiencing it fully, and sharing that unique perspective with others. His perspective on photography is rooted in a balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation. He celebrates the resurgence of analog photography, noting that many photo competitions now feature specific categories for film. "Old school has an uncanny way of making comebacks," he says with a smile. Just as vinyl records have outlasted tapes, CDs, and even some digital formats, Mario believes there will always be room for diverse forms of artistic expression in photography.
Upcoming projects Mario?
I’m working on a landscape photo series called, “Wanderings” where not only are landscapes the main subject but how we interact with them. The photo collection also seeks to illustrate our insignificance in the vastness of nature. and I’m also working on launching some expeditions in 2025.
