If you’ve ever scrolled through a wanderlust or travel hashtag on Instagram, the odds are pretty good that you’ve come across one of Gray Malin’s pictures. The photographer, best known for his colorful, aerial views of seascapes and beaches, has developed quite the impressive following—with multiple books to his name and over 300,000 followers.
So it was a bit of serendipity last year that the iconic Italian house of Bvlgari would release their newest men’s scent — Man Wood Neroli — inspired by the wild plants, trees, and flowers one would encounter along the coast of Italy. Malin has traveled throughout the country, turning his lens onto the brilliant landscapes of the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Tuscany, Sicily, and beyond. “The scent reminds me of the sunny days I spent along the Italian coast,” Malin says. “It complements my visual memory of my time there.”
Malin’s latest book, A World of Oppositesis a pairing of images such as those reflecting "alone and together" and "above and below" — in a world of "alone together" what can be more timely? So we dusted off our interview from last year after the release of his photobook Italyin which we asked the photographer about his travel tips and capturing that perfect shot.
Q: What inspired the photo book about Italy?
“I wholeheartedly love Italy. I am inspired by each and every part of it, from its stunning coastline to the bustling cities, and of course, its rich culture and influence in all things La Dolce Vita. However, for this book I chose to really focus on the Italian Coast as I feel that the atmosphere, scenery, and lifestyle is beyond compare. Though I’ve shot many areas, for the book I wanted to focus on Lake Como, Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Capri, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Sicily and Portofino.”
Q: How would you say these photographs differ from the rest of your body of work?
“This book is comprised of images from my series, La Dolce Vita. La Dolce Vita was inspired by the glamourous Italian lifestyle that mesmerized the world during the 1950s. These photographs are shot in a more documentary style that is different than my other work. I wanted to capture and represent the opulence that the Italian Riviera once represented and portray the luxury of the Italian coast.”
Q: Name three things everyone must see or do in Italy when they go.
“Eat as much of the authentic cuisine as you can and drink as much local wine as possible! Rent a day boat and take a trip along the water with an Aperol Spritz in hand, and visit the Coliseum in Rome.”
Q: How did you execute capturing Faraglioni from above?
“I chartered a helicopter and removed the door. I flew with an experienced pilot above Faraglioni to capture this shot.”
Q: What was your most magical memory in Italy?
“Over the six years that I travelled from Los Angeles to Italy to create this series, I experienced numerous magical memories. What made it so special was that I got to roadtrip across the country and really experience the country in a more authentic or intimate way. I haven’t even road tripped across America, so it was really special to experience this many parts of Italy!”
