Raul, how did you get started doing street photography?
“I am an observation addict (it’s almost a sickness) when I’m with people, I shoot photographs with my mind constantly, “the way an addict looks at the screen of his smartphone while he’s speaking with someone” (just like that). I always take some kind of device or camera and if I see something that interests me, I stop and photograph it.
“…for just four years now, I photograph life. Scenes that I’ve always seen that never stopped me (only occasionally that is), have now made taking photos and using them as a means of artistic expression my passion. Now these scenes are my priority and since I began, I enjoy photography much more, photography we can call street photography.”
Has your work as a commercial photographer affected your street photography? If so, how?
“I began working as a photographer many years ago, but I never did anything other than dedicate myself to it commercially.
“I did press photography, and social photography, which made me acquire much experience and agility with the camera, as well as the ability to resolve many different (and very diverse) lighting situations, but I was always conditioned to the media or the client for whom I was working for.
“Now I feel a creative freedom that makes this moment much better for my photographic growth. Here I have returned to my passion, here I have begun to enjoy photography and here I am truly learning. ”
It looks like you take advantage of what some would call “harsh” lighting to get shots that are bright and rich in contrast. How do you do it? What do you like about shooting in bright daytime conditions?
“In this moment, I don’t need anything more than a small, basic photography equipment, a small lens, some memory cards and the street! With that, I’m off to photograph small pieces of reality.
“I am in love with the greats who use color as a mode of expression. I find it so complex and difficult that I do it as a challenge for myself. The strong contrasts between light and shadow, together with color, make me have much more fun as I shoot. Although, I do use black and white sporadically for specific projects.
“I compose and plan each shot in my head. I observe everything that is going on and then I try to locate the lights, shadows and the other elements that will participate in the scene.
“I attempt to guess what will happen. All of this accelerates me, it’s exciting, it gives me a rush of adrenaline. Then, I configure a few parameters on the camera and I get ready for the moment when all the action is aligned. After that, the only thing left to do is wait for an interesting result and extract from what happens my idealized moment in that fraction of a second, recording it in a single image.”
What do you hope to accomplish as a street photographer, what are your goals?
“My objectives in street photography are to keep learning how to improve my photography and vision and as I do, to transmit my acquired experience. I would like this to convert into a kind of loop, a wheel in which I learn and gain experience while I count on said experience (and form part of it) hehe…a fun coming and going that will make me enjoy photography and continue growing as a photographer.”
Thank you Raul, for sharing your experience and your lovely work. We are glad you’ve found your creative outlet in street photography.
You can see more of Raul’s work on his website or Flickr photostream. Go give him a follow!
You must be logged in to post a comment.