The jewels seen by a top photographer: Milena Mazza ♦
It is not enough to produce jewels, we must also know how to show them. Let’s face it: 99 percent of jewelers choose the classic way to show them on a neutral background. It is usually a white or black surface, sometimes gray or of an indefinite color. In this way, attention is focused on the jewel, in agreement, but the emotion or the feeling that the object can connect with whoever buys it is not communicated. In short, it is the simplest solution, not wrong, but not even original. There are, however, other ways to portray jewels. For example, that of the great photographer Milena Mazza, who has chosen to combine the jewels with a glam, strong, emotional, dynamic and colorful image. Milena is one of the rare professionals who is able to show a jewel in a strong context without making it disappear but, on the contrary, exalting it. The idea of this series of images was that of a shooting in which rings, bracelets and necklaces were worn by a model struggling with food & drink. The contrast in the images is strong: rings and bracelets in white gold and diamonds are worn while a woman rubs the dough for the pizza, with a hand full of strawberries squeezed rings. Or rings and bracelets with diamonds sparkle on hands that break the ice with an awl. The surprising effect is assured, and it is also a bit sensual.
From movement to the still life
Milena Mazza, a photographer, was born in Bologna, but started working in the cinema: “I was the first woman in Europe to be the assistant operator, that is the camera assistant when she was filming: a very important role technical”, she says. “For years, I’ve always worked, every day, until I found myself taking pictures at the request of a client and I found out that I liked it a lot more.” A wise choice. “I started working with the images because, as soon as I finished my studies, I decided to devote myself to what I was most passionate about, since a great part of life is spent working”. A profession in which, however, there are no surprises: “I had a thousand special requests, but the most unusual was to photograph a model on the toilet for an advertisement,” she says.
Malena Mazza also adds a tip to the readers of gioiellis.com: “If you want to try to photograph your jewel, it’s better to put it in direct sunlight”. The jewels, on the other hand, are not just a job: “What I most willingly wear are my emerald and brilliant earrings. I always wear them “, she smiles.
