Interview with Guadalupe

Hi Guadalupe! Tell us about yourself in two sentences - who are you?

I am a photographer and visual artist who studied in Argentina and Italy. I was awarded a scholarship in Indonesia at the Surakarta University Central Hava, ISI SOLO, where I specialised in photography. From the beginning my work has developed from two axis: the self-referential and aesthetics. My recurring themes are around violence and social critic which defines my search for the aesthetic and beauty.
Since my trip through Asia, my idea of photography as art has changed dramatically. I felt attracted to everyday situations, cultures, customs and idiosyncrasies, always with a sense of alienation, confusion and humour. The extreme and fearlessness are my ways of approaching photography as a chronicler.

QWhat's the weirdest situation you've found yourself in while taking a photograph?

AThe most difficult situation was in a cave in Vietnam in Cat ba, in Halong bay, in an old hospital from the war days. I was walking with my camera at the base of a mountain and a man came up to me. In his poor English he invited me to walk around the cave in exchange of a few Dong. We walked into the cave and he opened a big iron door. We walked into a room, he locked the door, turned on the light, grabbed a weapon and pointed at me. I cannot describe the fear I felt but it all ended up being a joke!

QWhat do you shoot on? What's your favourite set up?

AToday I am working with a Nikon, D3200 and lenses. My favourite camera is a Rolleiflex 2.8C 6x6 and for a long time a Pentax K 1000.

QWhat's your number one tip for an aspiring photographer?

AMy advice is to feel pleasure for light, the moment, look, watch, think about the image and shoot. If you like something go ahead, creativity, imagination and a good eye, that is all. Enthusiasm and above all commitment.