This week's featured photographer is Antonio Grambone, whose exceptional street photography stands out through his own unique style. Thanks to Yvette Depaepe for conducting the interview. You will find more photos in the end of the article.

Briefly tell us about yourself, your hobbies and other jobs.
My name is Antonio, I have a passion for photography that I have cultivated since I was a kid.

After the demands of work and pleasant moments that I spend and dedicate to my family, I always look for an opportunity to go out with my camera in the little bit of free time I have left available to me.

How has your history and life experiences affected your photography?
I remember as a boy that I often used binoculars that my grandfather jealously kept and with whom I had so much fun observing the beautiful sceneries that surrounded me in my home country.

I would have liked to capture and preserve everything that I saw through those  binoculars and to relive them again the same way anytime I wish.

What first attracted you to photography?
The main reason is my poor memory.  I wanted a way to relive and keep alive the memories of the events that occurred a long time ago and that I still cherish. 

Photography has helped me a lot.  Each photograph represents my memories and emotions which remain unchanged over time.

Describe your overall photographic vision.
I love it, and I like to think of photography as a kind of time machine that allows me to travel through time and takes me back to relive the same emotions over and over.

Why are you so drawn by street photography?
I am attracted and fascinated by street photography because snapshots of daily life capture spontaneous reality.

What is more important to you, the story behind an image or the technical perfection?
In my opinion, technique and story in a photograph are both important elements. Of course, an image has to excite and arouse interest in the viewer and at the same time must leave ample room for imagination and freedom of thought.

If all this also includes good technique, then it you have a photo that really amazes.

What generally is your relationship to your subject matter beyond being an observer?
Much depends on what I'm photographing.

For example during a portrait session of an artisan in his workshop, I would ask him to maintain a natural attitude and to stay focussed on the work that he is doing and not think about my presence and that of the camera.

What is your most important advice to a beginner in street photography and how do you get started?
The first thing that I feel I must recommend to a photographer, if he plans to follow a path in street photography, is that he should always be correct and respectful towards his subjects, using good sense and not crossing the thin line which makes the photographer arrogant and intrusive.

Who are your favorite photographers and more importantly, how has your appreciation of their work affected how you approach your own photography? 
Honestly I do not have a favorite photographer.  I follow with great interest the works of other photographers and they encourage me to experiment and that helps me to develop my own personal photographic style.

Is there is any specific photo taken by another photographer that has inspired you a big deal  and why?
There is neither a photographer or a photo that has inspired me in a special way. As I said before, I think that looking at images of talented artists positively influences on a subconscious level the way we perceive new images.

Are there any specific directions that you would like to take your photography in the future or any specific goals that you wish to achieve?
Honestly I have no goals or grandiose projects that I specifically want to achieve.

I had the pleasure of meeting and portraying some Italian artisans in their workshops while they worked and I am very satisfied with the results of these meetings.  I'm not only reffering to the images but also to the relationship oif mutual respect and friendship that has been established with all of them.
I'd like to make a book with a collection of their portraits with a description of the passionate work they perform.

Describe your favorite photograph taken by you and why it is special to you? 
One of my favorite photos is the one entitled "Bond" that portrays my daughter Silvia caressing our little dog while making plans for their next game. This highlights the innocent understanding and the bond that has developed between them.

I do not think it is difficult to understand why it is so special to me!

Is there anything else you wish to add and what do you think about 1X as home base for your work?
I am honored to be part of this fantastic community that the founders of 1X have generated.

From the first day, 1X has been one large and continuous stimulus that has guided me in the right direction and has led me to improve and broaden my photographic vision.