Besides photography, my other interest is chess. In fact, I have had this hobby since I was a child. I like to play chess because I like to think.

Since I entered the realm of conceptual photography, my thoughts became very active. A memory, a phrase, a piece of art, a color tone, and many other elements can become the source of my inspiration.

When I read this phrase: “an eye for an eye”, this graphical image came to my mind. I believe that this inspiration is related to my interest in playing chess.

Photography
I printed out a chess board and then I placed a few small wooden blocks under the board. I had to hide them so that it would create the illusion that the board was floating in mid-air.

In any case, I had the urge, and felt it was a calling to bring it from the surrealistic world, into reality.

Then I placed the eyeballs one after the other.

The light source was from the studio window. The diffuse light created deep shadows, which added a sense of dimensionality to the image.

For this composition, I did not employ any models.

I used the timer on the camera and shot the left hand first, then the right.

I had to run to the set and pose for the shot in a limited amount of time. Then the hands were pasted in post-production. Trust me, the whole process of shooting is easier said than done.

How long do you think it takes me to set up, run from behind the camera to the set, and pose for the shot? Why not let me know in the comments.

AWARDS

2005

1. 9th. Concorso Fotografico Internazionale “Imago” – Italy, PSA Best Creative
2. 3rd. Trofeo Internazionale “Le Gru” 2005, Italy, PSA Best Creative Gold Medal
3. XXXIII Trofeo GIPUZKOA Internacional, Spain – FIAP Silver Medal
4. 8th. International Unconventional Photography Competition “Foto Odlot”, Poland – FIAP Gold Medal
5. 2nd. Trofeo Internazionale “Rotary Club Caltanissetta”, Italy – Certificate of Merits
6. 10th. Concorso Fotografico Internazionale “Vanni Andreoni”, Italy – 1st. Prize
7. 1st. Sicilian Slide Circuit, Italy – 2 PSA Best Creative Gold Medals / 1st. Price
   Certificate of Merits

2006

1. 15th. Annual Georgia Slide Circuit, USA – 3 x PSA Gold Medals / 1 x Honour Mention
2. 42nd. Salon Mondial 2006/Best Experimental Print, Italy – FIAP Gold Medal
3. 3rd. Greater Lafayette Int. Color Salon, USA – Honour Mention
4. 1st. French Digital Tour, France – Prix LA Creativite Medaille FPF
5. 6th. Malmo Int. Exh. of Photographic Art, Sweden – FIAP Honour Mention

2007

1. Arizona Photographic Society Elec. Imaging Exh., USA – Judges Choice Gold Medal
2. 74th. Wilmington Int. Exh. of Photography, USA – PSA Best Creative Gold Medal