Stories In Black And White
With Gustavo Pizano
I think that sitting in front of my computer, trying to write a blog post about my B&W photography, has been the hardest task I’ve ever had this year. It’s easier to photograph something when you have in your mind an image than make words out of it. But stick with me, maybe the images I will show will speak for themselves and words will be just the cherry top of them.
But first let me tell you a little more about me. I’m Gustavo Pizano, originally from Colombia, living in Slovakia some 13+ years already. I have been around photography since I was a kid. My father was a product and marketing photographer, and I learned some of the tricks and Do’s of this art since. I remember watching him making amazing images with his Mamiya in ONE SHOT!. It was amazing. And now, looking back, I realised that when I shoot something I tend to imagine I have not a DSRL but a Film Mamiya with a tons of cartridge storage and try to get the image in one shot, yeah sure, there are times where an extra help is welcome to finalize what I have envisioned.
The first image above was a for me was like a rite of passage, the raise and fall of something and a new beginning. The second one I wanted to represent the feeling I had in that moment where I couldn’t focus in one thing at that time, too many things coming to my head.
A few years ago I made the child portraiture workshop. Where I learned to connect with the kids. I think this was the bigger lesson here. The connection. When photographing people, whether they are kids or adults, the connection plays, I would say 70% of the quality of the image, another 20 % would be your technique and just 10 % its your gear. See how low percentage the gear plays here? Couple of examples bellow.
These images were taking with my phone. I have a motto, -No camera, no problem-. Not having your camera around is not impediment to take your phone and shoot your vision. On the first image, my son started going upstairs, and never looked back, just moving forward. You can see the sun’s position, and the shadows and highlight it made. Don’t be afraid of the sun and harsh light, use it to your advantage (more on that later).
Going back to the connection with your subject. As a photographer you learn to be somehow a psychologist, you learn to listen to people and what they have to say. You learn to turn that “something” into an expression, a moment. With kids is the same, just their “problems” are not the same as adults’, but they are as important as ours.
The story about the above image, is that the whole day my son was building something with Legos. I could see how focus he was during the process. Then night came and he went to bed, but I could see how eager was he to continue. I knew he will go out of bed and keep on going. I took my camera and got it ready. Then I heard noises coming out from his room. I opened the door, made one shot, he wasn’t looking, and of course, he turned around and captured this image.
(Above) no car no problems.
There are times, where the image is conceived before time in my mind. I organize my setup, ask my kids if they will be willing to help. If they say yes, great, if they say no I respect their decision. I explain what I want, and of course, they are kids and wont do it that way. But for my surprise they do it even better, their way.
Coming back about using the sun. Check the second image above. The sun was coming right from the window. I used my window’s blinds + crystal pyramid to give this cool effect. The rest, the expression, the pose and all that he did it by himself.
My black & white photography has taken me in some interesting area, self portraiture. Here are some examples. As my mentor for self portraiture, Manuela said, is about expressing ourselves and tell our own story.
There are some shots that require little bit more planning and setup. Doesn’t matter how complex or easy is the setup I always try to give a message with the image. For instance, when I photograph my daughter I wanna show how strong yet fragile she can be. I want to show that she can achieve anything she wants and she should fight for her equity, this world has enough princess waiting for their charming prince.
There are many more images I could show you, hey I like them all, who doesn’t likes its own work? But I think I will show you the last 3. These ones have a great meaning for me, because by the time I shoot these, my mentor Gina Milicia passed. These images represent the adversity can knock on our doors any time. Its on us what will do about it.
To wrap it up. When shooting, think before you shoot and ask yourself, what do you want the message to be. After you have answered that, Imagine how the image should look, close your eyes and think about it. Sometimes this process takes me days! Because I scratch up the ideas as new comes around. After I have the message and idea, for some strange reason the image in my mind becomes black and white, a story in black and white, making it easier to materialize it. So, don’t shoot expecting for the best, do the best expected for the shot. (If you know what I mean)
