“Photography helps people to see.”

Romy Fernandez (born 1981) is a Spanish artist currently based in Nijmegen (The Netherlands).

She studied photography in the school of Arts in Zaragoza (Spain).

Artist statement

“Photography helps people to see.”

This quote represents my passion over photography and why it’s so important in my life.

Ever since I was a teenager I’ve been fascinated by how photography is able to immortalize a moment that will never be repeated in time, also I like to use photography as a way to communication and creative expression.

I think my photography is especially honest and not try to hide the reality of what I photographed.

My current body of work includes mainly portraits, self-portraits, street photography with stolen portraits of people, this for me it’s a really interesting photography, because you can see the real beauty of people.

With influences as diverse as Diane Arbus, Robert Cappa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, James Nachtwey, Steve McCurry, and so many others genius of photography. I think photography is a long path that’s well worth walking.

Interview with Romy Fernandez

Romy, what is the series “52 Weeks, 52 Songs” about?

The project is about taking one photo per week inspired by a song. These songs are selected because they have had an important impact in different moments of my life, and I’m trying to translate into photographs the images that they created in my mind.

So for me it means that it’s a really personal project.

How did you come up with the idea?

Well, I knew about the project 52 weeks that is a really popular project in Flickr, so I decided to make something different.

“There are a lot of feelings in these two photos.”

Music has always been present in my life, so why not to put music and photography together?

And that was how the idea came to me.

What were the most beautiful, challenging or remarkable moments working on this series?

My mother died 8 years ago, and obviously the week of her birthday and the week of her death are for me the two most remarkable moments in this project.

They were also beautiful moments, of course, because I think this is another way to remember her. There are a lot of feelings in these two photos.

How was the creative process? How would you describe your photographic language and creative process? How do you plan and execute a project? Both technically and conceptually?

I think that the creative process never ends; at least in my case, I’m always thinking in new concepts, new ways of focusing my ideas.

So I can say that the creative process is really exhausting!

I think it’s really personal, and sentimental.

The way that I take photos is really close to the way that I feel in the moment that I’m taking that photo. It doesn’t matter if it’s a portrait or self-portrait, a building, a landscape, etc.

My mind and feelings are always involved into the photos that I take.

I always think first in the concept, I must have completely clear the idea and after that I think about the technique that I’m going to use.

I must say that the technical part is usually for me the most complicated and that is the reason why occasionally I’ve counted with the help of another great photographer, Ricardo Hernandez Arrondo. I’ve learned a lot, so this is another reason for doing this project, learning more about photographic technique.

Why did you become a photographer?

I think that when I started in the School of Arts and I studied analog photography, I just felt in love with it.

I love the idea of keeping a moment forever when I take a photo.

So I’ve always been involved somehow in photography, and finally now as a freelance photographer.

What does photography mean to you?

It means a really great way to communicate and express myself without words.

Which photographer has inspired you most? Did you have a point of reference when realizing your series?

Diane Arbus, Henri-Cartier Bresson, and a lot of the Magnum photographers.

No, I don’t think so. In this case, for this project, I’ve completely trusted in my instincts and, of course, in the song that I was working with.

Which photographer has caught your attention lately?

  • Ricardo Hernandez Arrondo: He has a really great and perfect photographic technique.
  • Giles Duley: His documentary photography is very touching
  • Laura Makabresku and Helen Warner: Their photographs are like fairy tales and really original.
  • Nicolas Bruno: a young but very talented photographer, his photos are very personal.

And so many more…

What’s in your photography bag? What kind of equipment do you use?

Obviously my digital camera (sometimes a film camera too), three fix lenses, sometimes a flash and of course memory cards…

I have a Nikon D700, all my equipment is Nikon, I’m really glad with this brand.

What’s your favorite website about photography?

I don’t think that I‘ve a specific favorite website, but maybe this one www.sientateyobserva.com, which is in Spanish and it’s really interesting.

And of course, when I’m looking for inspiration the Magnum website www.magnumphotos.com. This is the kind of photography that I most like.

Which advice would you give someone who wants to get started with photography?

Ufff. Those’re hard times for photography, so for me, the most important: Never give up. Stay strong and trust in yourself.

Image from the project 52 Songs, 52 Weeks from RomyMore about Romy Fernandez

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