Suspended Beauty: Art, Science, and Nature in the Photography of Tony Genérico

Abstract

Tony Genérico (Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1940) is one of the major figures of contemporary Brazilian photography. A recognized specialist in high-speed photography, he developed most of his career in the field of advertising, becoming a pioneer in the use of innovative techniques that combine technical rigor and artistic sensitivity. His experience in advertising enabled him to master the photographic instant, exploring light, movement, and time with remarkable precision. This interview is devoted to exploring not only his biographical and professional trajectory but also his most important personal project: Beleza ameaçada. Organized into three series, the project brings together images of Brazilian birds at risk of extinction, the result of a creative process that combines high-speed shooting with the use of splashes—an ultrafast photographic technique involving controlled liquid flows introduced in Brazil by Tony Genérico himself. The photographs, with strong visual impact, highlight both the delicacy and vulnerability of the species portrayed, while inviting reflection on the preservation of biodiversity. With Beleza ameaçada, Tony Genérico reaffirms the potential of photography as a medium of artistic expression and environmental awareness, expanding the dialogue between art and science and consolidating his position as a key reference in Brazilian photography.