Winner Interview . Challenge No 22
Dear followers,
We have discussed with @ojoenlagente, the winner of our 22nd classic challenge. Mauricio is a social phycologist and his interest to people drives him to have human as a main subject in his photography which explains his big passion towards street photography.
@streetphoto_bw: Hi Maurico. Who are you? Please tell us about yourself.
@ojoenlagente: I´m Mauricio Saravia, 41 years old, from Peru in South America. I´m married with Pilar and have a 4 years old son, Joaquin. I´m a social psychologist and work in Market Research in GfK a multinational company. I have to traduce the attitudes and opinions of consumers in powerful insights to my clients. I love my family, but also love my work and obviously, the photography. Since there are smartphones, I have a chance of advancing in the urban and street photography.
@streetphoto_bw: How did you start photography? And since when hqve you been shooting?
@ojoenlagente: Not so long ago, since about 6 years in permanent mood. In my adolescence I was very interested, but at that time the process of revealing photographs was very complicated. But with the explosion of digital photography, I took up the hobby of photography and advanced. The discovery of photography and digital SLR cameras allowed me to meet a world of infinite possibilities of recording what happens around me. I think that was the main motivation to go forward on this. Portraying a reality for many means only landscapes or flowers. For my images that is to understand what is happening and having a tool to display it. I think now I take about 50 pictures a day, of which I’m lucky with only 1.
@streetphoto_bw: I have realized that on your feed your recent photos are entirely street. What is it that made you convert to street photography?
@ojoenlagente: Well, photography is a social weapon. You can pick up a camera and decide what you really want to portray. For me, the reality is the street. People talk when walking, when you look, when listening. It is showing feelings, sensations, knowledge. It is showing how it is. And that’s what interests me about street photography, show what people say without interpretation. The interesting thing about street photography is that anyone can try to read a story from a picture. That is very valuable, because that closes the circle. The image and its interpretation. The history and story. The speaker and listener. It is a very interesting subject, the judgment of others to your vision of reality. That’s all for my street photography. There is also an special adrenaline in street photography. Capturing an expression at the right time at the point where it’s worth, is priceless.
@streetphoto_bw: From which street photographer do you think you get inspired the most?
@ojoenlagente: Although it sounds cliché, Cartier Bresson is the highest point of inspiration. Besides that, some photographer friends. I love the work of Renzo, @aliveinnyc, I think he is great, and also the many other friends. Dzoom.org.es, an endless source of photographic talent. There’s a photographer who stands out a lot and I follow, it is Rafael Mengual.
@streetphoto_bw: What are you shooting with? If it is a mobile phone, which apps do you use to shoot and edit?
@ojoenlagente: I have and old Nikon D80, with three objectives: 18-55, 70-300 and 50mm. But in Instagram mostly I use my Iphone 4 (not S). I shoot with the camera of the device, and edit with Snapseed. Now I have 645 PRO now, and start to know thats app. Sometimes, I use Squaready or Camera+.
@streetphoto_bw: And your winner photo, how was it shot? Which devise, app? It looks like a special moment, can you tell us more about it?
@ojoenlagente: It was taken in Cuzco, the most beautiful city in the world (not a joke). I was resting in a park with my Nikon and saw these two person in front of me. So I decided to take their picture. The result surprised me, because I did not expect to find these expressions. That’s just what you can accomplish with street photography. Spontaneous and natural expressions.
@streetphoto_bw: What are your thoughts about IG and our group? Do you have any suggestions to make?
@ojoenlagente: I believe that @streetphoto_bw is one of the most importants groups in IG. I think having a thematic group encourages the participation of which we are interested in this type of photography. And you do very well. The people who lead @streetphoto_bw are great and they create a very good atmosphere. Suggestions? Continue to grow, organize photowalks, further enhance the blog and continue as before. I congratulate and thank you for all.
Interview performed by @latibod.