Mike Valeriani

“I like to take pictures of whatever captures my attention

“I like to take pictures of whatever captures my attention. The particular thing about my photographs is that they are all real: nothing is set up or pre-planned; what you see is what happened in front of my eyes at that particular time and place. I don't plan to take good photographs; sometimes I amaze myself when I see the results. When I shoot I don't think much and at the same time I don't fully live that moment. I complete my visual experience only later when I look at the finished work. Photography is an extension of my vision and mind, it enables me to re-live a moment over and over as intensely as the first time, when I wasn't really looking. I use photography to stop time and enjoy the pleasant visual experience later when it won't run away”.