#ignt_dotted Winner Valentina Loffredo

– Please only submit your own photographs to the project and keep them in a square format. Any image tagged until Sunday 0.00 am MESZ is eligible to be featured right here.
– If you want to submit your photo, use the hashtag #ignt_aquatic and upload your photo until Sunday the 31.05 on your Instagram account. Have fun and good luck, we can’t wait to see your submissions.

Italian-born Hong-Kong-based mobile photographer Valentina Loffredo aka @thatsval won the following Feature with her picture for our last topic #ignt_dotted. Thank you for all your submissions.

Follow: @thatsval

When and where did you take the picture? Tell us a little about the idea behind it.

I took it on March 23rd, the day I posted it on Instagram. Most of the time, I take my set up shots at home. I use a table, with a white cloth on top, against a white wall to give a clean white effect.

I came up with this idea when I was looking for additions to my #you__are__here series. In this series the red dot locates the subject, just like a red dot on a shopping mall map.

However, looking at the picture, I then realized it resembles perfectly the Japanese flag and that gave me the idea to start a new series (#flag_it_up) where the interaction between the graphic elements of the background and the subject compose flags.

Where are you from?

I am Italian but Hong Kong has been my home for the last 10 years.

How does that place influence the way you photograph? Who and what are the things that inspire you?
The place is most of the time the starting point and the real inspiration for my pictures. I always look for graphic elements around me and, when I find something interesting, I think how a person could interact with them to make the picture special. Sometimes I ask my friends to help me execute the idea, otherwise I just wait for strangers until something interesting happens.

Lately, I am also experimenting with styling the space myself. I often create my own props and stick things to the wall in order to follow my own vision, like I did with the red circle that I cut and sticked onto the wall.

Contests and new themes motivate me as well I find that thinking about themes that are not directly linked to my style gives me the opportunity to reinvent myself and keep things fun.

Your favorite Instagrammers?

There are a few. The one who really had a big impact on me is Davide, @omniamundamundis, whose pictures made me fall in love with photography 3 years ago and he is, still, my favorite instagrammer. I also love @serjios, @oscar_ro und @hiplulu’s feeds, but there are more which inspire me and entertain me every day.

Which Apps do you use to edit your pictures?

I started a professional photography course a few months ago and I am learning how to use Adobe Photoshop now, but I am still struggling with it. I often end up using iPhoto and the very practical mobile apps. I use Snapseed and, at times, TouchRetouch and Skrwt.

Tell us a little about your everyday. (Family, friends, work, etc.)

I am 36 yo, married with 2 small kids. I have been working in the jewelry industry until I had kids and then only worked on a few freelance projects, among them my favorite was the design of party supplies for kids.
Lately, through exhibitions and photography agencies, buyers showed interest in my pictures and this gave me the motivation to take a professional photography diploma which, at the moment, keeps me busy until the kids come back from school.

All images © Valentina Loffredo