Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Your current job :
self employed photographer, specialized on cars
In which city are you located?
Stuttgart, Germany
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
Focused and efficient, as you ́d expect from a proper German 😉
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
Phase One digital back IQ3100, Alpa Max camera, trusty MacBook Pro with matte display, Photoshop and Capture One, Helios sun position software, Bose noise reduction headset for the plane, Arca Swiss Cube, lots of Samsung SSD external drives, Stand 21 helmet, fire resistant underwear, safety harness, Things software for Mac and iPhone. Good food, good wine, good coffee and a decent hotel.
What does your office space look like?
Its a former ballroom in a villa from the turn of the century. I can dance down marble stairs like Fred Astair there !
What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?
From Paul Kalkbrenner and Oliver Koletzki to Oscar Peterson – depending on the editing subject and my personal state of mind. An Lamborghini Reventon obviously needs another music then a Ferrari 250 GTO.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
Clear sleeves are the magic secret – keeping stuff together but finding it in a glance speeds up the workflow and eases the juggling of the many productions.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
Preparation is the key, line up everything, have everything handy when you need it ( and not starting to organize / buy / rent it in a hurry ).
You’re better than your colleagues to :
Make use of the momentum in a shoot. Some colleagues are very glued to their ideas, I try to go with the flow and integrate elements that are happening by coincidence, making the images more realistic and authentic.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
Back up, Back up, Back up. A file that does not exist physically three times is non- existant in fact.
What is your best tip for saving time ?
Do it NOW. Don ́t procrastinate. Tomorrow is a wildly unknown territory, if you can do it today, get it done instantly. So you don ́t have it on your mind, schlepping it around for days
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
Checking mail. Rethink the schedule of the next hours.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
A tiny Victorinox Mini Champ Alox knife, a Surefire tactical flashlight, my vintage Breitling Cosmonaut Navitimer.