master chambers

Luca Berti

master chambers presents
Luca Berti

To find somebody who has found clarity and dedication for a project in a specific field is quite rare. Luca has captured the same way for the past 13 years while perfecting his skills in 8x10 film photography and darkroom printing. During this time he has visited places like Setomaa many times to document the people and their way of living.

He tries to capture the timeless essence and a soulful feeling from a time when people had to rely on themselves or their neighbors for survival, making life more real and primitive in a way. We document Luca and his process on one of his trips to Setomaa.

Luca Berti : Website Instagram
BTS Photography & Interview : Silver Mikiver

How did you develop your passion?

A lot of my passion for b/w photography and the past started in Florence when I was a child growing up in an old aristocratic family environment. Surrounded by renaissance paintings and old family pictures in a 600 years old house in the heart of the city, I have developed a deep nostalgia, its melancholic values, its taste for handwork quality - all things that today are kind of forgotten in a large part of our society.

What interests you about your field?

Photography allows me to express myself on many levels. My inner feelings but also my ideas and fantasies. In my project, between reality and imagination, I visit the ideal world I have fantasized about since I was a child.

‘‘Documenting rural life has become my life project. I started the documentary around 13 years ago on a small Danish island called Ærø. It was a collaboration with a local museum. Since then I have published 13 books with regional and National museums in Estonia, Finland, Norway and Denmark.’’

‘‘ The will and the passion for what I do makes me fight for my cause. ‘‘

What creates a meaningful life?

I would say two things. Family and people you love on one side. On the other side your personal growth. In my case, they go parallel but do not have to interfere with each other.

‘‘ I want to create images that will live on and transcend time. ‘‘

‘‘ As a “Fiorentino” mastery is when you have achieved a level of perfection. ’’

How to pursue an inner calling?

Self-expression is essential in life. I see finding myself as life’s target and I cannot achieve that without being able to express my feelings, ideas, and thoughts.
So for me, photography is the tool I use to grow and find myself.