Photographer/Photoshop Artist: Serge Ramelli
When did you know the photography/video industry was for you?
I’ve always wanted to draw as a kid and always enjoyed photography. I became a huge fan of the epic and dramatic look that you in experience in Cinema. Movies like Gladiator, Gone with the winds, The Matrix, Saving private Ryan or Sherlock Holmes has such distinct drama with amazing sunsets, clouds and color themes.
I know most of it is not real, but I still love it. Some of my photos are heavily retouched some are not what I’m looking for is something that communicate a message, something epic and adventure.
When I was 35, a friend of mine showed me Photoshop. It was a revelation to me because I realized that this was software that would allow me to do anything that I wanted to do.
It was literally an overnight decision, that with a camera and Photoshop, I can shoot an image and develop it myself. At the age of 35, I began to do photography non-stop.
How did your training and/or schooling prepare you for your job?
It did not help me at all. I stopped school at a very young age of 14, and started working as a salesman. My school training had nothing to do with my career, it was just my dream of always wanting to be an artist.
What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in pursuing your career?
The biggest one was to find away to make a career out of my passion. So when I started to obtain gallery contacts and publishing contracts, it enabled me to be a full time photographer. This was a big win, I could make money doing what I loved to do and I was able to share the beauty of this world through my work.
It took me 5 years of shooting Paris, to gain an amazing body of work. At first I was terrible, but eventually became good at my craft.
Who would you name as the most influential person in shaping your career? and why?
With out a doubt, Scott Kelby! I started to read his book early on to teach my self photography and Photoshop. He is an amazing teacher, and became a friend later on. Scott has always been a source of inspiration as an artist, photographer, and as a teacher for me. I could not believe that I have become his friend after reading all of his books, and eventually working on projects with him, but that is how destiny turned out.
If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?
Art! I would love receiving a painting, or sculpture in exchange for an image. Art for me has so much value!
I think one of the things that make me the happiest is when someone tells me that he I have somehow helped him to take better photos and pursue this artistic career. I think a lot of people are not following their heart in what they want to do in life, this was at least the case for many years until I picked up a camera and that changed my life forever.
To see more of Serge’s work, or to participate in his tutorials or courses, visit:
