Chiaro Scuro: A Study of Nature through the Power of Empty Space
Chiaro Scuro: a study of nature through the power of empty space shifts into a live stage conversation as Lars Boering interviews photographer Marco Ronconi about his disciplined approach to contrast, light, dark and the generative force of emptiness. Emptiness is explored as pure potentiality, not a void or absence, but the condition that allows structure and meaning to emerge. By stripping away colour and constant visual noise, Ronconi focuses on what guides his work in the field: contrasts, shapes, lines and space.
The interview will move beyond aesthetics to examine the practical and emotional groundwork behind his images. Ronconi will discuss how he prepares for each journey, researches the environments he enters and develops an understanding of animal behaviour before he ever lifts the camera. Boering will draw out the stories behind the work, including the quiet moments of discovery that occur when patience, field knowledge and restraint intersect. Together they will explore how negative space supports narrative, how simplicity strengthens presence and how silence in nature shapes his creative decisions.
What you will take away:
• How to use negative space as a compositional engine that clarifies subject and emotion
• Insight into field preparation, reading environments and anticipating animal behaviour
• A practical understanding of Ronconi’s workflow from research to execution, simplifying scenes in camera and in edit to create enduring, uncluttered images
Who this is for:
• Nature and landscape photographers seeking stronger composition, fieldcraft and clarity of intent
• Documentary and fine art practitioners exploring minimalism and the psychological impact of space in visual storytelling
• Students, curators and educators interested in the relationship between preparation, perception and the aesthetics of form
- Duration 30 minutes
Date
- 04 Feb 2026
Time
- 18:30 - 19:00
Labels
- Live Stage Interview
Location
Speaker
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Marco RonconiMarco Ronconi is an Italian photographer and publisher celebrated for his emotionally resonant and minimalist nature imagery. Founder of Kamui Editions, he has published Chiaro Scuro and Hueco Mundo, both exploring themes of stillness, contrast, and suggestion. Working primarily in black and white, Ronconi’s images evoke a sense of introspection and poetic balance. His photography has been widely exhibited in Europe and reflects a deep connection to the landscape, the tactile value of print, and a personal philosophy rooted in quiet observation and simplicity.
Moderator
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Lars BoeringLars Boering is an internationally renowned expert and advisor on photography, collector and consultant. He is the founder of Triggertale.com, a platform for visual communication and storytelling. Prior to this he guided World Press Photo Foundation to become the platform for the stories that matter. He is a professional with 25+ years of international general and change management experience in international cultural, creative and social organizations. Lars has co-produced exhibitions with photographers, Festivals, museums and art foundations and judges photo contests at the highest level: Global Peace Photo award (for Unesco and Austrian parliament), Ian Parry photojournalism Grant and is the chair of the board of MAI at Amsterdam Archives. He now serves as director of the European Journalism Centre foundation supporting, developing and strengthening journalism. In this role he was part of the committee that drafted the important and timely Charter for AI in Journalism and media and helps to guide the visual industry through this new AI landscape. He is a sought after international keynote speaker on visual storytelling, AI and Photography and is many times asked as a moderator. He believes in focussing on substantive growth and lifelong learning.
