Thomas Biasotto leads the platform and the photographer network GRIDON, is a passionate photographer, musician and educator. We had the pleasure to get to know this likeable all-rounder a few months ago, and in addition to photography, we are also part of his passion for collecting!
You are actually a trained musician, have your own band and compose film music. So how did you still get into photography?
For my confirmation I got a camera as a gift (which I still own today). From that moment on, I was fascinated by photography – for a long time in silence, since I studied music at the Zurich Conservatory and my focus was entirely on my instruments.
Today I practice my 3 passions professionally. Photography, music and teaching. Also many times not so easy, because I often can’t distinguish if I’m working on my own project or on an assignment.
Biancograt
With Gridon.ch you provide a platform for people interested in photography with a lot of info and knowhow around professional photography and also offer workshops as well as extraordinary photo trips.
What made you set up this network?
Passing on knowledge fascinates me. Because I was and am also today always grateful to also get experience and knowledge. As we all know, you never stop learning.
Leading workshops is a big and important part of my job, which makes me very happy. I love to inspire people for something! I’ve been leading photography workshops since 2015, when I was still employed by a well-known photography school. In 2018, we – my wife, who supports me administratively and organizationally incredibly, and I – came up with the idea to develop a vision in the field of continuing education in image. Thus, the network and the platform www.gridon.ch was born. The original plan to go live in the spring of 2020, we unfortunately had to postpone for reasons known to us all. Another 8 months of valuable development followed, which we were able to implement together with our partners. And so today there is the photography planet GRIDON. The best photographers united, who share one passion: THE PICTURE. By best I mean not only professional, but above all human and pedagogical.
The idea of Gridon is to give every photographer, be they beginners or professionals, deep insights into photography (e.g. with our WiKiGRID) and to offer a wide range of workshops and photo trips, with a large selection of different instructors (called Instructors by us).
Rosenlaui
On August 21, the first Swiss Photogame will take place, the largest photo marathon in Switzerland, with different categories of participation at various locations.
Can photography novices also participate or is the competition aimed more at experienced photographers?
No. Everyone, whether experienced, ambitious, professional or complete novice, whether with analog or cell phone camera may participate in this event. Because only one thing counts at this event: THE PICTURE. More info at www.swissphotogame.ch
Drama! In your night shots, light often plays a very important role – if not the main role. How do you approach such shots, are they random or planned, what is your inspiration?
Beautifully paraphrased. In landscape and mountain photography, I often look for big contrasts and light moods. These can be planned to some extent in many cases, but Mother Nature always has the final word here and there are always many surprises and U-turns. I never go haphazardly on tours, but prepare them minutely. I always try to go when I know that these moods I imagine could arise and the conditions are right. With today’s tools available to all of us, it is very helpful for preparation, but as I said, nature sets the pace and this can always change during a tour or expedition.
My sources of inspiration are various. For one, I study a lot of books by photographers. I love the medium of books more than anything (I own hundreds of illustrated books and collect them). But often new ideas also arise very spontaneously. Partly also very crazy ideas and so I just stay on the ball every day and always just give creativity as free rein as possible. Another source of inspiration for me is also the music, where I often get ideas while composing, which I develop and also if possible always implement.
Dolomiten
You have an independent style in your image processing. Do you have a tip for our readers on how to get more out of their shots?
There are hundreds and I think that if I would go into detail, it would go beyond the scope here. There are many and very exciting tips and tricks on the Gridon platform that anyone can get their hands on for free. The best thing is that they are constantly being expanded. So it’s worth visiting the WiKiGRID on Gridon every now and then.
Passo di Giau
Which image editing program do you use?
I mainly work with the image editing program Lightroom. I know almost every move in it. I also use various plugins for certain details (for example from Skylum or DxO). For astrophotography I work with Photoshop, but I must say that my knowledge of this program is rather limited.
Lago di Limides
You have already visited and photographed all the big peaks in Switzerland – so you are exactly the right person to contact when it comes to special locations in Switzerland. Which climb and which peak can you recommend, is even maybe your favorite?
One of my favorite areas (although I must say that there are very many) is the Alpstein. It’s a rather challenging hiking area. There are hundreds of spots that simply fascinate me over and over again. I simply feel at home in this area. You can always ask me about special locations and I’m happy to help anyone. A really absolute top spot (of course always seen a lot in social media) is the climb to the Schäfler in the Alpstein. To marvel at the Altenalp towers at sunset and sunrise is simply a dream.
Alpstein
For photographers, another very exciting area and also a place I always visit is the Rosenlaui in the Bernese Oberland. For nature-loving photographers also a great place with countless photo spot Highlights.
Rosenlaui
What place in the world has fascinated you the most?
Yes as already mentioned, the Alpstein fascinates me again and again. But when I was able to do my first expedition in the Himalayas and I was able to gaze at a six-, seven-, and eight-thousand-meter peak for the first time in my life, those were the most impactful moments that still shape me today and that I think about every day. I regularly lead photo trips in the Himalayas and I really hope that this November I will finally be able to lead and conduct another photo trip in the Himalayas (because of COVID).
Nepal
What advice do you have for our readers if you want to go to high altitude yourself? What is your must-have on every trip?
Always enough water, pack the photo backpack consciously (reduce to the max) and always have an Appenzeller Bärli Biber with you for hunger.
Thomas Biasotto
More information about Thomas Biasotto, his projects and GRIDON at:
www.tb-photo.ch
www.gridon.ch
Cover image: Nepal
