Behind the lens

Where did your love for photographing people in public and on the streets first begin?

- SANDRA CATTANEO ADORNO

I started photographing eight years ago, when my daughter took me to my first photography class as a present for my 60th birthday. It was the summer of 2013, and the course was given by Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb in Barcelona. "Oh God," I replied to my daughter Gwen when she asked me to go, but I went for the fun of it. I had no idea how to use the camera and I was obviously the worst in the class, but for some reason I don't know, I really found it fascinating. It was very funny. I had never thought of doing photography, but something just clicked and I loved it.

Your images have such a consistent look. What is your favourite type of light to shoot in?

Visually, I am drawn to strong light and bold colours. I love the way strong light and harsh contrast transform a scene and layer it with mystery as much as I appreciate the strength of bold colours and the immediacy with which they can communicate emotions. I enjoy photographing in strong light because of the way it transforms the scene and loads the images with poetry and mystery through very graphic effects. I also enjoy the light at sunset because of its soft golden tones and the long shadows it creates. In my book on Ipanema, Águas de Ouro, the golden light was the predominant visual element, whereas for my new book, Scarti di Tempo, I played with reflections and colours to enhance the mystery and mood of the scene.