Is Photography an Art? Capturing Emotions

Whenever I'm contacted to do a photoshoot the first thing I ask is, "Once you get to see the final pictures what do you want to see; how do you want them to make you feel." Since I don't edit my work (not even my event/model photography) it's imperative I understand what the client wants. But simply asking, "what do you want" will only get you so far since not everyone comes with a clear idea. However, asking them how they want to feel always gets me the answer I need.

These guys were shooting for their Reggaeton Album cover (now on iTunes)

What I enjoy most about portrait photography is getting to understand the people I photograph. Even if two people want to give off the same emotion in their pictures, they will always produce completely different images because each person brings their own unique personality into the images. The images I produce also depend on how quickly the model and I are able to build a relationship (rapport). 

High-school friend with her Boyfriend

College friend

My Barber
I've known these models for quite a long time so it's a lot easier to produce images
that are closely aligned with the emotions they want to express.

My style of model photography is ever evolving and maturing. My process for improving does not just lie in producing better images (using composition and lighting) but also getting better at expressing the individuals in the image. Many times I've discovered that by trying to capture the portrait of someone I end up including my self in the image. My landscape and still like photography require me to transmit my emotions into the final image, and usually I end up doing the same process with pictures of other people. It's a bit intimidating at times considering that I expose my inner feelings to anyone that closely examines my work, but on the flip-side it's also interesting to imagine that every image I take becomes a page in a wordless autobiography.  

Achieving Profound Understanding:

Next time you view an artwork I challenge you to not only examine how the image makes you feel, but to also ask yourself how do you think the artist felt when making the image. When I take a portrait I become aware that the portrait is also one of myself; how I "see" and "feel" about the person is sometimes expressed through my work. See if you can spot the emotions of the artist, and ultimately if you can have a conversation with the artist through the art.

Sincerely,

Rafael Migoyo (Ravimi)

Contact: ravimiart@gmail.com 

Website: www.ravimiphotography.com

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Thoughts of Collection (People of Cuba)

One thing I've learned about making these posts is that the hard part isn't really coming up with a topic. The hard part is mustering up the power to break from the chains of procrastination and write the topic fast enough lest I lose interest in it. That would leave it to wither away in the dusty corners of the unpublished section of the internet- shame, shame.

That's what happened to a post I was working on that discussed my hand photography. It actually became tough trying to put into words its meaning without giving it meaning; it was difficult to give a subject verbal meaning without "polluting" the viewers' opinions. [I like thinking that my viewers' opinions are raw, like my Sushi.]

So the light bulb of intense literary inspiration that burns the procrastination chains away temporarily came on. Coincidentally, a new idea decided to board the inspiration train.

This post's subject is the "People" gallery within the "Cuba" collection on my website.

Love this image. It really captures the spirit I see within the kids.
Would you call it innocence... or something else?

My People

One of the topics of my research for photography (yes, there is such a thing as research with photography) is the study of Identity within photography and the photographer. As you already know (maybe not), I was born in Cuba! *silent whispers from the audience* And I actually came to America at the age of five. You don't really have to remember that, since I'll most likely bring it up again in the future (for a legit reason). 

During the 16 years that I've lived in America, I've traveled to Cuba five- maybe six- times, and the last two times I went as a photographer. The "People" collection of the "Cuba" folder isn't just a portrait of what I see in Cuba, but it is also a portrait of myself, as a person. Each image represents how I see the country and its people, my people. So if anyone ever wants to write about me (obviously you would), then just look at my photography work as your main source of information.

Photography is a very expressive art medium. Unlike painters, we can't express our emotions through the motions of the brush, but the image itself tells the viewer (almost) exactly what we see. More to the point, it shows you what we are looking at.

Anyways, I'll probably go into a philosophic photography rant some day, but not today :) So no worries, my good reader. 

So here are some of the images I took and short statements to go with them:

This is my classic rock-loving uncle. He's 20 and represents a lot of how I'd describe the
youth population in Cuba. Not all, of course. There's a really large range of opinion in Cuba,
which is shown by the different types of personalities. He just follows the "against-the-man" nature.

After I left, he was drafted.

This picture is called "Perdidos en La Habana," which translates to "Lost in Habana." Why?
Well, I didn't originally think of naming this picture what it is called now when I took it, but the
name came when I showed it to my Cuban family, and they all started laughing. They said that the licence
plate was from Guantanamo and that they had broken down in Havana (both are very far apart).
It's one of those "I can't believe this shit" laughs.

So that's how I got the name. "Perdidos en La Habana" represents breaking down far away from "home."

I REALLY like this picture, because it really captures a massive part of the Cuban situation with the rest of the world.
The guy's expression (in foreground) is awesome too. I won't go into detail about
this image, so I'll leave it to you to give it an interpretation.

Manga (pronounced mAHn-ga, not Man-ga) and Anime are MASSIVE in Cuba, especially with the younger gen.
 This guy happens to be a member of Cuba's largest Manga and Anime organization, maintained by the
Cuban youth. They actually have contacts in Japan, and they talk about the latest and greatest in
the culture's happenings. And Magic the Gathering and other card games are really popular as well.
Fun Fact: Shingeki no kyojin is the most popular Manga right now.

My adorable nephew (period)

This picture was really awesome to get. When I saw it a big light bulb turned on,
which is ironic since this image represents the frequent power outages throughout the entire
country.

Think about it.

There are many more images in the "People" collection on the website, so I recommend you check them out. Every single picture on the folder represents a unique aspect of the Cuban identity and the things they currently face in everyday life. It also represents a part of me- the image hunter (as my cousin, who is a professional painter, described). In the comments section, feel free to share some of what you see when interpreting these pictures.

On a last note, I'd like to thank the new addition to my editing squad, Eric Staab, for looking over my crappy writing. Without him (and the other editor, the wonderful Mercedes Flowers) you'd be looking at random words with cat emojis everywhere. And yes, I have an editing squad. Mixed feelings.

Till next time.

Ravimi.

Edited by Eric Staab.

Creating Purpose: Favorite photographers and my gifts to them.

Who inspires me......

There are multiple reasons why a great photograph is "great". Some of those reasons just deal with the subject, technique, or many other elements that touch the heart of the viewer. These photographs are created by skilled photographers that are able to capture, not only what they see, but what they feel, or don't feel. I personally have many photographers I admire that make me think of how wonderful it is to be a part of the action that creates those inspiring images: photography.

One of my favorite photographers is the amazing and equally famous photographer Steve McCurry. His most famous photograph also happens to be one of the most well known photographs in the world (according to multiple sources, this being one of them), Afghan Girl. McCurry captures the individuals he photographs for who they are at the present time. When I look at his portraits I'm always sucked in by the eyes of the individuals, but most importantly the soul behind those eyes truly helps me experience the soul of the image.

If Mr. McCurry ever read this I would share this picture, of mine, with him.

I took this on my last trip to Cuba. This lady is almost 100 years old and she has completely lost her mental ability. During my visit she would yell out "MAMI! MAMI!" (which means "Mom! Mom!"). But what surprised me wasn't that the people around her would not get irritated, but instead her own daughter would respond, "Estoy aqui," (which means "I'm here."). 

Another one of my favorite photographers is Arno Rafael Minkkinen (you can see his pictures here). Minkkinen uses his own body in his photography. His long slender form is blended into the background at times to create a sense of unity between the world and the human form. But at other times his limbs extend outwards as if trying to reach the infinity of the horizon. It's a very intense collection of photographs and as someone that has a great appreciation for the human form I truly admire his work; especially this one.

For Mr. Minkinnen I would love to share this picture I also took in Cuba.
.......

actually, I'll hold onto that picture. I'll show this one instead:

The other picture hasn't been released to the public yet since it will be part of a collection I will be exhibiting in Cuba (possibly this coming 2013 summer). If somehow Mr. Minkinnen does read this please contact me and I would be more than happy to share the original picture with you.

The picture above was taken in my college dorm living room with a really dark blue sheet as the background and 2  regular desktop lamps. 

I have many many other photographers I admire and would love to present my pictures to as a gift of appreciation for showing me their world, through their eyes. But that would make this into an entire book instead of a blog post haha.

Anyways, in this post I shared with you who inspires me to continue on my path of photography. Ultimately the world I see is what truly inspires Creative Purpose.

Who inspires you?