by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 2^nd of October 2023

Since the day I joined 1x, I always have been fascinated by Franklin Neto's, especially by the tight compositions  and magnificent use of colours. Reading his answers to the interview increased my admiration for the man behind his works.  He quotes : 'I see the processing of my images as immersion therapy, where I disconnect from the world and dedicate myself entirely to editing. I don't hold myself to any editing standards beyond my instincts and abilities, and I always let my imagination run wild.'  That may explain why his photos are so unique. Franklin also is strongly committed and a highly sensitive man in spite of all the personal struggles he had to go through. One of his noble goals is his enormous desire to create a friendlier community within photography, whose values are strictly about sharing what we love, which is LIGHT.

Come along with me on a journey through his photographs and discover what a warm and interesting personality he has.  Enjoy !!!

'The Sentinels'

Hi Franklin, please introduce yourself shortly and tell us more about you, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!

First of all, I'd like to thank you for inviting me for the interview.  It's a great honour to share a little about myself and my photographic career here on 1x. I was born in Goiânia, Brazil, studied logistics at university in 1988 and worked in logistics until I moved to Portugal in 2010.
It wasn't easy here in Portugal. I went through a lot of trials, being an immigrant in another country.  Photography came into my life as a game changer, showing me a reality that I hadn't known before. Today I work exclusively with photography and have photographic works in the categories architecture and family. Further more, I have a peculiar hobby, namely skateboarding, which I have practised since I was 15 years old.

'Aires in Blue'

For many of us photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship with photography?

Photography in my life has transcended all my goals as a responsible adult. I studied Logistics at university and always worked in the field until then. Then I moved to Portugal and began to cultivate this art in my being. I had my first paid jobs, and the winds changed the direction of my steps. Getting paid to do something you love and that really makes sense is priceless. I dedicated all my time and effort to photography. I spent hours studying and practising the art of photography, and I still do today. Every trip I take is somehow linked to photography. If I'm in nature, I'm interested in learning more about the geology of the place, the types of animals that live there, the species of trees that live there. During the summer, my trips are always to a place with dark skies to observe and photograph the stars and the 'Via Lactea' or Milky Way. If I'm in the city, I want to look up the history of that city, see the main monuments, all the architecture linked to the city's history. I believe that, just as fossils tell the story of the distant past, architecture has the power to tell the story of people or of the city in terms of its rise and fall. The realization that every moment, there is splendour happening, waiting to be photographed, is overwhelming. Everything is art. So I can conclude that photography and I are a symbiosis, in which it shows me the direction to follow further in my life.

'Don't stop on the way'

What would be the most important experience so far that has influenced your steps in photography?

Here I have to mention a few points as there have been several battles fought inside me and with the outside world. But one of the most memorable moments in my photographic career was being a finalist in the Sony World Photography Awards in 2017. It was undoubtedly a great experience, having practically the entire press in my country talking about the Brazilian SWPA finalists, the main media in my city reporting on it, it was crazy. It showed me how rewarding the moments I spent dedicating myself to photography were and that I was on a good career path.

'Dimensions'

How do you maintain and grow your passion for photography?

As a fine art photographer, I believe that coming back from a session with the desired material, sometimes even better than planned, brings me great satisfaction as a photographer, but it also encompasses the whole cycle that involves this process, visualizing, planning, shooting, editing and seeing the final result. While I'm photographing people, it's so rewarding to get a good shot of a real smile, a look that can't be translated into words, getting a hug from a child who felt embraced by that moment of light for me is very gratifying and fills my chest with joy. We photographers have a great power to connect with the present and immortalize a desired or visualized moment with a click. When I'm photographing, I feel responsible for honouring every event that is happening in front of my lens and that gives me the fuel to always do more and better.

'Blue Diamond'

Can you please describe in a few words your photographer philosophy?

My philosophy both in photography and in life is simple, LOVE IT! Love what you are doing, love every moment you are dedicating your time. Love everything truly in what concerns you. Accept the trials that cross your path, see the good in everything that happens to you and around you, give the best of yourself to the people who come to you. The universe is generous to those who believe and trust in it.

'Aeon'

Why are you so drawn by Architecture and Abstract Photography?

I believe that just as nature has its creator, we humans had the audacity to translate nature's creations into numbers and replicate these models into structures as we know them today. I'm not just talking about architecture, but in general, about all the evolution we've had in the rise of our society. In addition, our social model of life is strongly mirrored in the architectural structures that surround us in the city, even today we try to unravel the mysteries of ancient civilizations through their architecture, or what was left of it. In short, architecture for me is a sum of several factors that when looking at them, makes sense to me. Abstract photography enters a more intimate world, we see what we are or what we want to see, lines, shapes, textures and contrasts are great fuel to let our mind create the desired interpretation of what we want to convey to the viewer.

'The Future Reflects the Past'

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?

Honestly, the union of all the factors you mentioned is important. Every photograph I make tells a story, whether intentionally or not, it always has a message to convey. The mood of each image translates my personal style, or the way I see and feel things. Technical perfection for me has to go hand in hand with all other factors as this will guarantee a plausible final result.

What generally is your relationship to your subject matter beyond being an observer?

In the case of my Fine art works, I'm just an observer trying to transcend reality. But yes, for every building I photograph, I leave a bit of myself there and I bring a bit of it with me: a natural symbiosis of those who live in the city and share the same space. In other cases where I'm hired to do some work, I just follow what the client wants and try to do it as well as possible.

'As above, so below'

Do you prepare carefully the locations where you are intending to photograph?

Most of my photographs are carefully planned. Before each session, I do a lot of research on the subject, calculate the direction of the light and the right time to shoot, look for points of view that bring a harmonious interpretation and prepare the right equipment for each situation. But it happened a few times that I've been surprised by a scene that wasn't in my plans and came out with a good photo, and it's also happened that I've made some plans and something goes wrong and I go home without any photos. I try to stick to a plan, but also to be flexible if things don't go as expected.

'Metamorphic'

What gear do you use (camera, lenses, bag)?

I currently shoot with a Nikon D800e, the lenses I use are basically Nikkor 16-35mm f/4, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8, Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8, a Lowepro Flipside 500 AW case, Gitzo carbon tripod and some ND Lee filters.

What software do you use to process your images?

I basically use Adobe Lightroom Classic, and Adobe Photoshop.

Can you tell us something more about your work flow?

My workflow is both simple and a little complex. In Lightroom, I organize my entire workspace and make corrections and small adjustments to each photo, it's also where I create the skies of my photos. In Photoshop, the work becomes more meticulous, each part of the image is carefully selected and edited separately and this technique requires time and patience. I see this part as immersion therapy, where I disconnect from the world and dedicate myself entirely to editing. I don't hold myself to any editing standards beyond my instincts and abilities, and I always let my imagination run wild. In most cases, I spend days editing my images, followed by a few hours a day.

'When The Lights Turn Off'

What is your most important advice to a beginner in Architecture and Abstract Photography and how do you get started?

I think the most important thing for anyone beginning in this area of photography is to get started. Look for references in the area, try to understand the process and the reason for each image. Start with the basics and then try to translate them into some kind of style. Time and practice will help you develop a personal style and become more consistent in capturing your photographs. Start with small projects and also study what you're photographing, which will open up a sea of perspectives that wouldn't have been possible before.

'Eye Diamond'

What would be your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.

I could answer with that phrase by photographer Imogen Cunningham that many photographers use: "Which of my photographs is my favourite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow". I think that would also be correct, but each of my images has a personal value, each one has a bit of my blood and soul. There were a few episodes during the shoot that marked me out and made it special. One of them doesn't refer to architectural photography, but to a seascape. It was a sunny day and I took my mother to a wild beach to watch the sunset while I took the picture I had in mind. We arrived at the location, it was a hot day and suddenly a storm cell took over the sky, it looked terrible and frightening and I was there with my mother. I started photographing, trying out some compositions, struggling with the sea waves, the water coming up to my waist and then back again, as I looked up at the sky, the world seemed to be ending. I watched my mother who was desperate about the situation and I tried to calm her down. Finally I finished taking photos because it started to rain, so I put all the equipment away and the rain came down very hard. We ran along the cliffs in the rain, it was scary but it had its fun side and it still yielded a good photo and a good story to tell.

'Before The Tempest'

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose works have influenced you and your photography?

There are many photographers who have inspired me and still inspire me today, and I'm pleased to have some of them as my friends. But yes, I couldn't fail to mention Joel Tjintjelaar as Architectural Fine art photographer, for me Joel was and always will be the pioneer of creating fine art in architecture. When I decided to sail these seas, Joel was undoubtedly the person who most inspired me and continues to inspire me with his work and techniques developed over the years.

'Awareness'

We almost reach the end of this interview and I would kindly ask you to share with us your future plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.

In a world where things change so quickly, it's good to keep your plans short term. I'm currently working on an online fine art print store, and I'm also developing some online courses in the field of fine art architectural photography. I plan to travel more, get to know different cultures and, of course, photograph more. And I feel an enormous desire to connect more with people, to create a friendlier community within photography, whose values are strictly about sharing what we love, which is LIGHT.

'Eden'

Is there anything else you wish to add  and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?

I would just like to say thank you. 1x is present and in a way, served as a bases for the evolution of my work since the very beginning of my career. It is a platform that I trust due to the high level and quality and that I tremendously appreciate for its professionalism.  Thanks again for inviting me to this interview.

Best wishes for a prosperous life to all.
May the light always be present.

'Fortress' (Lisbon)

'Maria' (Portugal)

'State of Mind' (Prague 2023)

'Geode' (Berlin 2023)