© 2020 Nomadict. All rights reserved.
Photography is a passion that has been with me since my childhood. I was exposed to analog cameras at home, capturing experiences and just playing with them. When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to choose the area of arts, photography and video. The learning process I went through during the course was very exciting. We had access to a dark room where we could manually develop the photography negative.
The development of the photographs expanded my interest in the field; I felt a deep enthusiasm along the whole process till reaching the final result. A game of color and light that characterizes photography so well. In each revelation process a new experience, a new discovery in the world of arts.
I always saw the world of photography like a free mind; unobstructed and with freedom of speech, an abstractism that allows us to dream with open eyes. Art is a different area, where people with an untamed spirit and no fear of being the “black sheep” can be themselves and express their unique visions.
Despite being so fond of photography, I decided to finish my studies and pursue my adventure in the army. It was a totally different seven-years experience which also brought me my first time of being in contact with people from foreign cultures when I went on a mission abroad. It was on this first trip that I bought my digital camera.
My goal was not to stay in this path, stuck to a place, to a job. I am a dreamer, I always see myself travelling, meeting different people, exploring new cultures and staying more connected with nature. So then I decided to move on and seek adventures.
After some time in England, now I’m based in Germany. I do not know if I will stay here or if another path catches my curiosity and guides me to a different place. As a Portuguese author (Fernando Pessoa) once said, “O sonho comanda a vida”. This means: the dream guides life. Germany is so impressive and beautiful, and I am having the luck to live close to a forest where I can find peace of mind and concentration.
Words are not needed, or even incapable, to describe a moment, an emotion, a landscape. Our eyes are the best way to record the moment for ourselves and give our own interpretation, so with my camera I try to do the same; being creative, being myself, telling a story and creating a unique moment. I think the subject has a fundamental role here, where the connection between man and nature can speak loud, where emotions are evoked and feelings are flowing, where silent conversations take place and a powerful energy instills respect.
What a trip, what a dream destiny. I miss this place and the pleasure of roaming around the Island. The great feeling that makes me feel so small in the middle of such immensity. I remember the strong winds, the cold rain, the “effort” I put in to consciously enjoy every single moment. The “tenderness” with which mother nature received me and the warmth of the Faroese people.
And then there are the challenges imposed by mother nature; the winds that prevent you from walking at the pace you want, the slippery terrains that in the end provide you with the most fun fall ever. Do these adversities have meaning? Is there a message behind?
I think there is. I think these events try to tell you to enjoy the moment, to go slowly, to not quit. The many obstacles that can exist along the path all invite us to fight for our dreams. I will always keep going, do my best, and try to show who I am using my photography and at the same time provoke emotion and experience within people. I want to leave them with a smile, or maybe a teardrop.
I do this through landscape shots, but also through shooting portraits. It is always a challenge but when you keep the interconnection between the landscape and the subject, framing and composition as a leading factor, it can change the interpretation of the photo.
I read a lot, I keep myself updated and grab each moment to acquire new knowledge. Music, books and mythology inspire me and I’ve started to be interested in cinematography as well, so I want to dig more in this field too. In addition, the magic north is a true source of inspiration for me. Both personally and photography-wise; in my travels I always try to discover myself.
Effort, going outside, trying, failing, repeating again… this is the best way to train your eye and get to something that you want to achieve. I know that I have a long way to run. In editing, I always try to be as “simple” as possible so knowing my gear, and setting up my camera helps to achieve the result with more confidence. I try to keep the colors in a more or less similar tone and make sure that in the post production, I just give the final touch to the shot. Each photo has a special meaning for me. Whether it’s the worst or my best shot, all of them represent a special moment. A feeling, a lesson, a memory, that helps me build my history.
I have the unconditional support of my soul mate and amazing friends that encourage me to be focused on my road, be patient and to not quit my dream. I would like one day to fully dedicate my life to photography, but until then I’m going to keep exploring. North is the way!
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