Naples’ true colours through the lens of Sam Gregg

Sam Gregg began his photographic journey when he was only 23 years old. “I was always surrounded by creativity but [was] never really a part of it,” he tells HUNGER. “Photography became an outlet for me, my own way of taking control.” In 2016, he decided to take the plunge and move to Naples. “I visited Naples a few years ago and completely fell in love with the city. I told myself that one-day I’d eventually live there and undertake a project on the city,” he explains.

Within a few weeks, Sam started teaching English at a local school. “During my free time I began to explore the city with my camera. There is so much more to the city than what is portrayed by the media, who consistently glamorize and propagate Naples’ negative image. Although the city regularly tops the European crime index rankings, the situation in the central areas is steadily improving.”

His ongoing project, ‘See Naples and Die’ (Vide Napule e po’ Muore), is in part an attempt at humanising a place often seen as dangerous. “I’m merely highlighting through my photography that the people affected are tangible human beings before they’re political units,” he continues.

Where did the inspiration come from them? “The streets. Walking, talking and observing for often hours on end. The streets tell the truth and that’s exactly what I’m aiming to capture in my photography. I try to keep my mind as clear as possible and not absorb too many external stimuli, so that what I produce is as pure an expression of myself as possible, uninfluenced by others.”

Raw and crude at times, his character-driven photography leaves a mark. By exploring a reality that many are unfamiliar with, Sam’s photography is an ode to people living on the margins of society who are often misrepresented and misunderstood by the mainstream.

Check out more of Sam’s photography below and follow him on Instagram here.