TITLE: Zafira

AUTHOR: Andrea Paolini Merlo (Hungary)

Andrea Paolini Merlo has dedicated over 25 years to his multifaceted career at the Hungarian National Ballet, where he serves as a dancer, choreographer, and ballet master. His extensive experience in the dance world has not only honed his skills in movement and performance but has also deepened his appreciation for the art form.
In parallel to his dance career, Merlo has nurtured a profound passion for photography, specializing in capturing the intricacies and emotional depth inherent in dance. Through his lens, he aims to immortalize the elegance, rigor, and dynamism of dancers, whom he sees as living embodiments of art—constantly evolving and expressing profound stories through movement.
His work emphasizes the unique connection between dancer and photographer, driven by mutual inspiration and a passion for immortalizing the dynamic art of dance.
Merlo’s photography reflects a keen understanding of both the technical and artistic aspects of dance, allowing viewers to appreciate its beauty and complexity in a new light.
He highlights the intricate relationship between movement and stillness, showcasing the beauty, grace, and emotional depth of dancers as they express themselves in motion.

Merlo's photographic journey began in 1987 during a trip to Argentina when his father gifted him a manual Exakta Varex IIb camera. This pivotal moment ignited a lifelong fascination with the detail and quality of photography. Over the years, he has refined his technical skills by exploring various cameras and darkroom techniques, developing a deep love for the art. Influenced by renowned photographers like Ansel Adams and his "Zone System," Andrea has cultivated a profound understanding of light and composition.
With the advent of digital photography, he embraced new technologies and techniques, consistently experimenting with and mastering both traditional and modern methods of capturing and printing images.