Hi Ricardo! Tell us about yourself in two sentences - who are you?
My name is Ricardo Hernández, and I'm a Spanish guy who moved to the Netherlands almost 3 years ago. I've been shooting for more than 10 years. It started as an occasional hobby, and every day I do it with more intensity. Today photography is part of my life and I can't imagine living without it.
QWhat's the weirdest situation you've found yourself in while taking a photograph?
AThree years ago, during the Holy Week, I went to take pictures at one of the processions in the city I used to live in, Zaragoza (Spain). On my way, a young man came up to me and asked, "Could you take a picture a picture of my family?". I smiled and told him "Yes of course!", and I took a photo of them (a couple and their kid). Then he thanked me for the photo and left without asking how he could get the picture. What made that moment special was that I had experienced exactly the same situation with the same guy two years before. On that occasion he asked first for a portrait of himself, and afterwards for a photo with his partner, and left after thanking me. Some months later I discovered that he was a regular on these streets, but those were the only two times I saw him.
QWhat do you shoot on? What's your favourite set up?
AI have a Nikon D700 that I mainly use with a wonderful Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8. This is by far my favourite lens! I also use a lot my Nikon 85mm f/1.8. It is obviously less versatile, but very sharp and has some great advantages: is light, very luminous, creates a beautiful bokeh, and makes it easier to go unnoticed than the bulky 24-70.
QWhat's your number one tip for an aspiring photographer?
AI still consider myself an aspiring photographer, so my tip is the same one that I apply to myself. Shoot, shoot and shoot. Don't be afraid of trying new ideas and techniques. And take inspiration from the masters of photography you admire the most. My experience is that just by looking at other work and trying to figure out how the photographer stages their shots, you can learn a lot.
