The things we do make us, and the images we portray protect them for posterity, as is the case with photographer Erik Zavala, who with his lens has no prejudices in portraying various contexts, from documentary style in which he sticks to reality to editorial style in which he gives himself the freedom to compose his own universes.
Capture the ideas behind the lens of one of San Miguel's most renowned photographers.
L: Your website is divided into three sections: Love, Life and Beauty; what distinguishes each of these categories and what is the technical difference between each one?
E: Ultimately, it is always about the individual… who they are, what they do, who they love. I organize my photography within these three categories, without necessarily defining different styles between them; although there are. The intention, the purpose, is the value I use to define the concept within my activity in photography.
L: Do you think your theatre studies influence your photographic composition and the way you direct your models?
E: Without a doubt; awareness of space, the weight and use of each object or element in the painting, balance in the composition are some of them…
But the influence that I consider most relevant is understanding and recognizing truth; frankness, honesty, generally found in its simplest and most straightforward form.
L: How does acting complement photography?
E: Recognize the subject's motivation or lead him to an action that manifests it... Play and be and not mold or seek a specific result...
There are many elements and techniques in acting that can be used in photography and that can certainly be identified in the general style of a photographer, but in no case do I consider them essential to achieve meaningful images.
L: What elements of San Miguel do you think help in the composition of a portrait?
E: Like most of us who consider it our home, we recognize the beauty of San Miguel every day. Streets, facades and corners; fields, hills, gardens, mansions.
San Miguel offers so many settings that it is easy to create powerful images.
L: How would you describe the color palette in San Miguel?
E: There is a colour palette authorised by the authorities for the facades of the historic centre. It is certainly correct…but more than a specific palette outside the historic area, it is the quality of the light in general and how it changes throughout the year.
It is no coincidence that San Miguel is the location for countless photographic and film projects in very different settings.
L: What sets you apart as a leading wedding ceremony photographer?
E: Moments. Natural, spontaneous reactions, in balanced, fun, emotional images. I try to make the viewer feel part of the action presented, avoiding distracting him with modern frames or denoting the hand of the photographer… My mission is to show an event from my neutral, simple and natural point of view, which is where I always find beauty.
L: In what areas of your photography would you like to continue experimenting?
E: In those where I exercise the muscle of creating or proposing a reality. Inventing the space, the situation and playing with tone and style. The opposite pole to the documentary style, in which I feel more comfortable. I find this license in editorial sessions, in fashion and portraits. I try to achieve at least one experimental session per month, using different techniques, creating a kind of personal laboratory.
Follow Erik's gaze and his photographs in www.erikzavala.com
