In the past, you had to look for Olivier Barbato on the rooftops. But that was then, now it’s with his feet on the ground that this Nicois has decided to change one of the driving forces of his life: his career!
It’s almost naturally, after years of amateur practice, that Olivier Barbato swapped his drills and screwdrivers for cameras and flashes and the future will tell if his choice was the right one, even if looking at his shots, there’s not a single doubt.
It might have taken just a moment for this new photographer to decide to turn his passion into his profession. To offer his vision of life through his eye in fields as diverse as architecture, real estate, and portraits. Yet, it’s in artistic photography that this Nicois finds his inspiration, and a visit to his website sets the tone for quality work.
Nice Premium: You were the manager of a company specializing in photovoltaics, now you’re venturing into photography. Why this choice?
Olivier Barbato: Photography is a hobby I’ve been practicing for several years, but until recently, I was just a passionate amateur and hadn’t seriously considered making it my career. The company I ran was doing quite well, but at the end of 2011, a drastic policy change regarding photovoltaics shook the young industry, forcing me to liquidate the company and rethink my professional future…
So, I chose to keep light at the heart of my work by venturing into photography. Yesterday, I captured light to produce electricity, today I capture it to create dreams…
NP: Isn’t it too difficult in this economically bleak period to start your own business in an artistic field?
OB: Whatever activity you choose to pursue, I think it’s never easy to start on your own. There’s always a degree of risk and uncertainty that can be daunting at first. But, having already experienced it, I also know it can be an exciting adventure when it works, so I’m moving forward. I should also mention that having already owned a good part of the equipment before starting out, I didn’t have to invest a huge amount of money. The risk is therefore relatively measured.
NP: You offer a variety of services. Do you have a specialty?
OB: I indeed offer quite a variety of services, but I have specialized in real estate photography because I am convinced it is an activity that will grow and become essential for real estate agencies that want to stand out.
Today, people searching for real estate start their searches online, and to make a property for sale or rent stand out from the large number of listings, photos play a key role. Clear, sharp, well-composed, and well-exposed photos highlight the property, allow the potential buyer to envision themselves in it, and make them more eager to visit.
NP: What type of photographs do you prefer to “shoot”?
OB: I particularly enjoy strolling through the city or by the sea to capture life scenes, drawing inspiration from the works of great humanist photographers like Doisneau, Cartier-Bresson, Ronis, Erwitt…
I go photographing like one goes mushroom hunting. I wander with my camera in hand and observe. Sometimes an interesting scene unfolds before me, and I have time to capture it; sometimes I come back empty-handed…
NP: You also offer digitization and restoration of photos. What do these operations consist of?
OB: Everyone owns old family photos, paper prints, slides, or negatives, stacked in boxes somewhere between the basement and the attic, deteriorating over the years.
Digitization allows you to preserve them as they are. It also makes it easier to share them, especially on the internet (emails, social networks…).
After digitizing, I can work on the file of a damaged photo to restore its original appearance by “erasing” cracks, spots, scratches, etc., and possibly making a new print.
NP: A presence on the web and on social networks. Essential tools for a good photographer?
OB: Yes, of course! You must not miss any opportunity to get known and showcase your work, and today that inevitably involves the internet. Registering on a social network like Facebook, for example, is free and allows you to easily share your photos, talk about your activity, and multiply contacts. Why miss out?
NP: Finally, what should we wish for the new entrepreneur from the French Riviera that you are now?
OB: Thousands of orders, fortune, and fame! What else? (laughs)
More seriously, just to be able to live from my passion. That’s already a lot.
Website: www.olivierbarbato.fr
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OlivierBarbatoPhotographe?ref=hl
