MILAN – Bill Diodato is an American photographer in the commercial and fine-art, whose work has recently received a worldwide exposure. Interviewed by Libreriamo, Diodato tells us his passion for photography and how his first monograph “Care of Ward 81” came out. This project is inspired by a documentary work of the American photographer Mary Ellen Mark: in the 1976, she described the lives of women locked up in the female psychiatric ward of the Oregon State Ospital, known for the drama movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. “Care of Ward 81”, published by the Golden Section Publishers, won the second prize al’Eric Offer Book Award, in the Art category.
How is started your passion for photography?
My passion for the photographic arts began when a very special friend who was involved in the arts told me that I had a strong vision and i should pursue a creative career… I was then fortunate that my father allowed me to get an education and pursue the creative arts. My father has been my beacon throughout life.
Are there artists who have inspired you?
Many artist have inspired me such as Irving Penn, The Becher’s, Sally Mann, Helmut Newton, Ed Ruscha, and Cindy Sherman to name a few but I have been most influenced by contemporary art, movies and popular culture.
How it has changed, over the years, your approach to photography?
My approach has changed very little although the technical aspects of the medium have changed very much… I will not sacrifice the quality of my work or my vision and if that makes me difficult than i can live with that. Every image I create I treat like the last one I will create, regardless of the assignment.
What photography owns of unique compared to other arts?
To me photography is the perfect medium… it allows us to capture a decisive moment, it allows us to re-create a moment that has already happened, it allows us to manipulate a moment and of course it allows us to create a moment that does not exist anywhere but in our imaginations.
To which of your work are most fond of?
I am still in the process of creating and I continue to evolve so i don’t allow myself to think that way. "Care of Ward 81", "the cremains", "beautiful, contrived, awkward people" and "hello Meth lab in the Sun" are projects that resonate with me because they have informed others… but those project are done. I have moved on from them as i am preparing to create my proudest work yet.
What would you recommend to those who want to take your own path?
Study the history of photography… Creatively, one cannot move forward unless they understand what came before them.
What are your future plans?
Teaching young people about photography and of course to continue createing… perhaps more importantly to spend more time with my kids. A 100 years or less is not a long time so leaving and indelible contribution on those around you is about as important as anything else one can accomplish.
October 28, 2012