Thomas de Franzoni

In this Golden Shot Photography Awards interview, Thomas de Franzoni shares the story behind their creative journey, awarded work, and ongoing photographic vision.

My name is Thomas de Franzoni, and I am a fine art photographer from Italy. My journey into photography began many years ago with a simple desire to capture the beauty of the world around me. What started as a passion gradually evolved into a deeply personal form of artistic expression.Over time, I found my voice in black and white fine art photography, where I could express my vision through simplicity, light, and atmosphere.

The Gathering was photographed on a quiet, misty morning in a lagoon in northern Italy. The calm water and dense fog simplified the scene, allowing the flamingos to emerge as delicate shapes against an almost empty background.

What drew me to the moment was the natural arrangement of the birds. Although each one was engaged in its own quiet activity, together they created a sense of connection and balance. The title came naturally, as the scene felt like a silent gathering rather than simply a group of birds.

It was one of those moments where nature offered a composition that needed very little interpretation—only patience and the willingness to wait for everything to fall into place.

The main idea behind The Gathering was to explore the balance between solitude and togetherness. Each flamingo stands alone, yet none of them feels isolated. They share the same silent space, creating a quiet harmony that I found deeply moving.

Through a minimalist composition and the soft atmosphere of the fog, I wanted to strip the scene down to its essence and create an image that speaks less about birds and more about presence, connection, and silence.

More than communicating a specific message, I wanted to create a feeling. A feeling of calm, silence, and balance. Minimalism allows me to remove everything that is unnecessary so that the viewer can focus on the essence of the scene.

I hope each person finds their own meaning in the photograph. For me, the most rewarding images are those that don’t provide answers but quietly invite contemplation.

The greatest challenge was waiting for the right moment. I wanted the composition to feel natural and balanced, without any one bird dominating the scene. That required patience, as I had to observe their movements until they formed the quiet harmony I had envisioned.

For me, creating a minimalist photograph is often about resisting the urge to press the shutter too soon. Sometimes the most important part is simply waiting.

My approach is guided by the belief that less can often say more. I am drawn to quiet scenes where simplicity, light, and atmosphere create an emotional connection.

I don’t aim to document reality exactly as it appears. Instead, I try to distill a scene to its essence, creating photographs that encourage the viewer to pause, reflect, and discover their own meaning within the image.

The themes that matter most to me are simplicity, stillness, and the beauty of the natural world. I am fascinated by those quiet moments that are easy to overlook but have the power to evoke emotion and reflection.

Rather than communicating a social message, I try to create images that offer a pause from the pace of everyday life. If my photographs encourage someone to slow down, observe more carefully, or feel a deeper connection with nature, then I have achieved my goal.

Rather than following a single photographer, I draw inspiration from the richness and diversity of contemporary photography. Every day I immerse myself in the work of photographers from around the world, and that constant dialogue with different styles encourages me to keep evolving while staying true to my own vision.

My greatest influence, however, is the landscape where I live. The quiet beauty of northeastern Italy with its mountains, lagoons, forests, and changing seasons—has shaped the way I photograph. It has taught me to appreciate subtle light, simple compositions, and the emotional power of silence.

More than the award itself, I value the opportunity to share my work with a wider audience and to connect with people through photography. It encourages me to keep growing as an artist and to continue pursuing the kind of images that truly reflect who I am.

I would encourage photographers to be patient and persistent. Success in international competitions rarely happens overnight. Every image, every experience, and every result—whether positive or negative—is part of the journey.

Photograph what moves you, not what impresses others. Awards are gratifying, but the greatest satisfaction comes from building a body of work that honestly reflects your vision and passion.