We are excited to share our interview with Benny Bologna, the talented photographer who won first place in the VIEWBUG “Travel Addiction” Photo contest.
His winning photograph, a deeply evocative image of the Colosseum in Rome at sunrise, not only captures the essence of an iconic location but also the emotion and personal story behind the lens. In this interview, Benny takes us on a journey through his experiences as a travel photographer, sharing the passion that drives his work and the stories behind some of his most impactful images. Keep reading to discover more about his inspiring journey!
Congratulations on winning first place in the Viewbug contest! The winning photograph is truly evocative. Could you tell us the story behind that image? How did the idea to capture that moment come about?
My wife (then fiancé) Andrea, and I planned a trip to Italy in the summer of 2019. We did an aggressive 8-day road trip starting in Rome, to my paternal grandfather’s home town of San Demetrio ne’ Vestini in the Abruzzo province, then spending time in the Tuscany region before ending the trip with a few days in Rome. I wanted my own take on a photograph of the iconic Colosseum. To escape the hordes of tourists, we were at the Colosseum right at sunrise, and for those moments, it felt like we were the only people in Rome. Having gotten engaged the summer before in Sweden, I wanted to invoke a sense of romance with the iconic location . I’m humbled that I won this competition, as there are so many other amazing photographers that I look up to.
You describe yourself as an occasional travel photographer. How and when did you get started with travel photography?
Photography is a passionate hobby for now, and I’m most inspired when traveling. I bought my first SLR (Canon 20D) in 2004, shooting local landscapes and wildlife. However, I was always awe-inspired with dramatic photographs of natural landscapes in exotic parts of the world that I used to dream about seeing in person. My first real trip with photography in mind was on a photography tour of Iceland, one of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet.
What inspires you to photograph during your travels?
Travel photography, to me, is trying to capture the emotion of the scene, and to inspire the viewer to want to be there. Some places are easier than others to do this, of course, but I usually try to see the end result in my mind, and with the right lighting work the composition, camera, and post processing to achieve my vision. Placing my beautiful wife in the scene to either amplify the scale of the location, or add an emotional element draws the viewer in and makes the scene more relatable..
How do you select the places or moments you decide to capture? Do you follow any criteria or simply go with the inspiration of the moment?
For locations I have highly anticipated, I try to time the shoot when the light is optimal, so travel plans have to be flexible. However, many of my favorite shots have been unplanned, spontaneous shoots of either a scene or situation that inspired me, or drew me in emotionally.
What equipment do you use for your photography? Do you have a favorite camera or lens?
I shoot with an older Canon 5D III. For landscapes I turn to either my 24-105 f4, 16-35 f4, or 70-200 f2.8. For wildlife and compressed landscapes I’ll pull out the 100-400 f4.5-5.6. My favorite lens is the right one for whatever subject I’m shooting. I also use a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone on occasion.
In your opinion, what makes a travel photograph truly special?
Travel photography should bring upon a sense of awe and inspire the viewer to travel and explore. A good photograph draws you in. My favorite travel aspects to photograph are unique natural wonders, or unique old-world architecture that is very specific to that part of the world’s history. Simply put, a good travel photograph makes the viewer want to go where the photograph was taken.
Have you received any formal training in photography, or have you learned on your own through experience?
All self taught through photography books, videos, and asking a lot of questions to more seasoned photographers. If I would learn of a new concept or technique, I would experiment and practice that technique until it was second nature. It’s a beautiful thing when looking at a subject that you want to capture, and in your mind you’re already playing out how to realize your vision. The book ‘Understanding Exposure’ by Bryan Peterson really helped me grasp the fundamentals when I was first learning to shoot manually.
How does your photography influence the way you see and experience the places you visit?
I’m always looking for good compositions. Here in central Texas we get a wildflower explosion in the springtime. That time of year I am always in awe as I drive by beautiful fields and pastures of vibrantly colorful wildflowers. Early morning dew on the Bluebonnets and Indian Paint Brushes seem to sparkle with the rising sun. I’ve been known to leave a little early for work with my photo gear, and try to capture the magic on the side of the road on the way into work.
Aside from this winning photograph, are there any other works of yours that you consider particularly significant or of which you are especially proud?
Recent trips to the Scottish Highlands, Glacier National Park in Montana, as well as less traveled locations in Germany, France, and Switzerland have been amazing.
How has the experience of sharing your photographs on platforms like Instagram and participating in contests like Viewbug been for you?
I enjoy the photography contests and challenges on Viewbug. Viewbug is great because it’s like-minded photography enthusiasts. Instagram is not what it used to be for photographers, since they now seem to prioritize video reels and photos don’t get as much reach.
Is there any upcoming project or destination that you are particularly excited to photograph?
Some locations I would love to see and experience include the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Greece (maternal grandparent’s home island of Kalymnos), and of course more of Europe. As I write this we have a 5 month old beautiful baby girl. When she gets a little older we plan on traveling with her to grow her appreciation for different landscapes and cultures, and natural beauty planet Earth has to offer. American national parks also offer some of the best landscape photography opportunities in North America. Keep a lookout for an adorable little girl photographed in epic locations.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to share about your travel experiences or your journey as a photographer?
I’m an Electrical Engineer by trade, a photographer and woodworker by hobby. I feel like I’m always improving as a photographer, but never as good as I want to be. For me, traveling inspires me to push my limits to capture a scene that I traveled so far to see. It brings me joy to spend the time to compose, capture the image, and process it in a way that the final product is close to my original creative vision of the end result.
