What does it take to create a good image?
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I wish I knew! For me good light it's very important - I mean, sunset or early morning light. But artificial light mixed with natural light at dusk can be great too.
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But actually, it's a lot to do about yourself. If I go out thinking that I won't get anything, then I get nothing. You must be open to the world and for chance, you must believe. Otherwise you'd better go home. Also, being relaxed is important. Being focused is good, but sometimes I feel I'm too tense chasing the perfect image, then it never happens. So, for me the state of mind is really important.
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What inspired you to be a photographer, especially a street photographer? |
This guy called Carlos Moreira (www.carlosmoreira.com.br). I attended a year-long course under this master in 2009, and he showed me all the photographers I must've seen: Atget, Kertész, Cartier-Bresson, Frank, Lee Friedlander on the first semester, then Haas, Eggleston, Gruyaert, Pinkhassov and Webb on the second. I owe a lot to him. He's been photographing São Paulo, where I used to live, since the 60s, and his work and attitude towards photography were essential for me.
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In an era over-run by so many photographers, what makes your images stand out?
Well, it's hard for me to answer this. There are many photographers around, we all have similar tastes and influences... what I can say is that I'm a very passionate amateur, I shoot every single day if I have the chance, so it's natural that after some years I have some good photos to keep. I hardly get tired of shooting, if there's light. Brasilia, where I've lived for 2 years now, is a dull city, not so many people on the streets, no patina in the buildings, but at least we have great light here most of the year. And living in a boring city can be challenging, you really have to push yourself. It's been a good exercise so far.
Which are your prefered places for shooting (even if photography can be done anywhere), and what makes them special?
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Currently, as you noticed, it's the Rodoviaria (our central bus terminal in Brasilia). Brasilia is a planned city, a bit boring as I said, but this place has some energy, chaos and enough movement, besides great light, that make it perfect to photograph. I love being in the flux of people going to and from their daily jobs, I'm one of them myself.
But I also love water parks, for example. Or beaches. Or busy streets with lots of shop windows and reflections. As long as there's people and some light, it's great for me. |
Beyond passion and talent, the gear also is part of the process. What do you use and why?
Some weeks ago I was loving my Fuji X-Pro1 with a 27mm lens (40mm in full frame). But then I attended this workshop with Magnum's Pinkhassov and he told us to use zoom lens, so I've been trying a 18-55mm and it's been good for a change. Most street photographers have some prejudice against zoom lenses, but they actually enhance your possibilities, so why not?
Please describe your workflow (post-processing if any, selection criteria, cropping, other).
Well, I shoot, generally on a 16GB SD card, then I upload them as soon as I get home via Lightroom. I go through them quickly and I mark the ones I like, at first with 4 stars, then I go back to this initial selection and mark the ones I'd like to export with 5 stars. I generally apply a preset I made for contrast, enhanced colors and sharpness, then do some adjustments, that's it. I hardly use Photoshop now. I hardly crop either.
How do you see your photography in the future. Any regrets, anything you missed?
I´d like to keep it as honest and personal as I feel it is now. And I'd like to make books of them. I've made some via Blurb, but I'd like proper books too. They're my favorite way of looking at photographs. And no regrets yet. :)
Last but not least, which picture(s) of yours is/are significant and why?
Well, of course I must love all my work, it's all part of my life, my journey. But then, this set (http://www.gustavominas.com/ O-Parto) I made about my girlfriend's pregnancy and the birth of my daughter has a different level of meaning for me. It's still about my life, but it's about our lives together as well. It was the most thriling day of my life, and I'm glad I could record and keep it.
Some weeks ago I was loving my Fuji X-Pro1 with a 27mm lens (40mm in full frame). But then I attended this workshop with Magnum's Pinkhassov and he told us to use zoom lens, so I've been trying a 18-55mm and it's been good for a change. Most street photographers have some prejudice against zoom lenses, but they actually enhance your possibilities, so why not?
Please describe your workflow (post-processing if any, selection criteria, cropping, other).
Well, I shoot, generally on a 16GB SD card, then I upload them as soon as I get home via Lightroom. I go through them quickly and I mark the ones I like, at first with 4 stars, then I go back to this initial selection and mark the ones I'd like to export with 5 stars. I generally apply a preset I made for contrast, enhanced colors and sharpness, then do some adjustments, that's it. I hardly use Photoshop now. I hardly crop either.
How do you see your photography in the future. Any regrets, anything you missed?
I´d like to keep it as honest and personal as I feel it is now. And I'd like to make books of them. I've made some via Blurb, but I'd like proper books too. They're my favorite way of looking at photographs. And no regrets yet. :)
Last but not least, which picture(s) of yours is/are significant and why?
Well, of course I must love all my work, it's all part of my life, my journey. But then, this set (http://www.gustavominas.com/ O-Parto) I made about my girlfriend's pregnancy and the birth of my daughter has a different level of meaning for me. It's still about my life, but it's about our lives together as well. It was the most thriling day of my life, and I'm glad I could record and keep it.
Interview conducted by Tzen Xing on Oct. 12, 2016