Fotografo Erik Kruthoff

—Prima di tutto - chi puoi definire come il miglior fotografo di Dorado, Porto Rico? :)

—I believe there is no set of criteria to judge who is "best". Different people want different things in their wedding photos and the goal is to find the best match for what you are looking for. I do know that I am good at what I do. If you like my style and vision than I am the best for you. All artists have to have at least a little bit of ego ;)

—Sei fotogenico?

—A mentor of mine, Magnum Photographer David Alan Harvey, once taught me how to "see myself" in my work. If you are true to your inner voice and vision, you should be able to look at a photograph and instantly tell who made it. Good photography is a collaborative effort between the photographer and the subject. So, I guess the answer is yes :)

—Come sei entrato nell'industria della fotografia?

—As a high school student I spent as much time in the dark room as possible, learning the craft of photography: Shooting, developing, and printing my own work on black and white film. My teacher identified a talent in me early on and I eventually came to make a career out of it. I couldn't ask for much more than making my passion into my job.

—Secondo te, quali sono le componenti più importanti di una bella foto?

—It's a combination of three elements working in concert with one another: Light, composition, and moment. A good photo will elicit an emotional response from the viewer.

—Ti piace viaggiare?

—Always! I am not a notch-in-the-belt type of traveler, though. I don't operate on a bucket list and instead prefer more meaningful travel and making human and cultural connections with the people and places I encounter. I enjoy a night at the pub chatting with locals over seeing a tour-bus tourist crowded monument or famous attraction.

—Che cosa ti piace di più nella tua professione?

—Capturing special moments and memories that will be looked at and enjoyed for many years to come.

—Che cosa ti piace di meno nella tua professione?

—Not really. Even during more challenging parts, I love to come up with solutions, be flexible and try new things.

—Quale sarà il futuro della fotografia?

—I don't think it will change too much. Sure, trends will change but no camera or gadget or software can ever replace an artist's eye.

—Cosa c'è di speciale nel genere di fotografia in cui sei specializzato?

—The pressure. You only have one shot at it and you never know what will be thrown your way. You have to be quick thinking and ready to adapt in any situation.

—Come gestisci la critica?

—When I was younger, not well. Now that I am a bit older and have a family, I have learned the value of keeping my mouth shut and becoming a better listener.

—Ci sono determinate tendenze nella fotografia?

—I think too many wedding photographers go into a wedding with their own agenda. The have a shot list that they must do every time and think about their own portfolio instead of listening to the clients wants and personalities.

—Quali criteri dovrebbe utilizzare un cliente per scegliere un fotografo?

—Ask to see entire galleries from a recent REAL wedding. Instagram and social media only showcase the best, most over the top images and many times come from stylized shoots of models. Have a meeting with them ahead of time to get to know each other. It's important to have this relationship.

—Che cosa non è ammesso durante la ripresa fotografica?

—Anything goes for me as long as it doesn't offend or hurt anyone. You have to be able to read the crowd and understand the sensibilities of your clients.

—Quali dettagli, che solitamente passano inosservati, riesce a notare un fotografo?

—Often times the best picture is behind the obvious action. I stay aware and on my toes to capture these little gems whenever possible.

—Che cosa influisce sul valore di una foto? Quali sono le sue componenti?

—A good photo makes an emotional connection with the viewer.

—Secondo te, chi può essere considerato simbolo del XXI secolo?

—I have no idea :/ I don't really idolize anyone in particular. I'm just trying to learn who I am and how I can contribute to this world.

—Chi vorresti fotografare?

—Fun-loving adventurous couples. I have shot celebrities before and just just treat them like regular people. I don't get star struck and think of everyone as unique individuals with their own interesting story to tell.

—Hai qualche tabù professionale?

—If your clients like it, it's all good.

—Con chi vorresti fare una sessione di ripresa fotografica?

—My favorite wedding photographers: Fer Juaristi, Emin Kuliyev, Victor Lax

—Che cosa ti fa preoccupare e perché?

—I try not to worry whenever possible. I think every wedding photographer is a little worried of failure. Once I get the photos on my computer and see that I did my job, that goes away.

—Qual è stato il momento più impressionante della tua vita?

—Meeting my wife and the births of my son and daughter.

—Se tu fossi un personaggio di cartone animato, libro o film, chi saresti e perché?

—Don Quixote

—Chi ti ispira nella vita e perché?

—My two kids, easily.

—Come puoi definire il successo? Come si misura?

—Creating meaningful art and making my clients happy. Always improving your self and honing your skills. There's no end or limit to learning.

—Preferiresti essere amato o rispettato?

—Respected. I am very comfortable with who I am and how I work and want to remain true to myself.

—Qual è stato il più grande errore che hai commesso nel lavoro?

—Undervaluing the importance of having relationships with other industry professionals.

—Preparandoti per partire, che cosa metteresti in valigia e perché?

—A change of clothes and my camera. What else do you need?

—Tra i gadget che possiedi, c'è qualcosa che vorresti non aver comprato? Perché?

—none.

—Che formazione professionale segui per fare fotografie migliori?

—I invest a lot of time in education to further my skills and vision. I study the works of the masters throughout the history of photography. I have been lucky enough to work alongside some of them. I go to at least one workshop each year to stay fresh and inspired to create.

—Il lavoro di chi ha avuto la maggiore influenza su di te come fotografo?

—Fer Juaristi, Emin Kuliyev, Victor Lax, Sam Hurd, Ryan Brenizer, Jose Villa

—Qual è l'unica cosa che vorresti aver saputo iniziando a scattare foto?

—Painting, Art History.

—Che cosa vuoi dire con le tue fotografie?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Qual è la tua motivazione per continuare a scattare fotografie?

—Always improving, always searching for the perfect light and the perfect moment.

—Pensi che i tuoi genitori avrebbero dovuto essere più o meno severi?

—I love my parents. I wouldn't change a thing.

—Se potessi tornare nel passato, che cosa faresti in modo diverso?

—Not major in Spanish in college, lol! Everything happens for a reason though and I have no regrets.

—Che cosa pensi della vita su altri pianeti?

—of course.

—Chi sono i tuoi eroi?

—My mentor and teacher, David Alan Harvey. We share kindred spirits.

—Per chi non hai rispetto?

—I'm not a hater and won't even go there :)

—Che cosa fai nel tuo tempo libero?

—Enjoying life with my family, travelling, listening to music, watching films, playing sports.

—Quale lato di te non è mai visibile al pubblico?

—I am who I am. Don't want to be anything but me.

—Quando ti senti completamente soddisfatto dal tuo lavoro?

—Once I have the photos loaded into my computer and go over them for the first time and choose images for the sampler gallery to send to the couple.

—Credi nei ruoli tradizionali di donne e uomini?

—no

—Fai facilmente amicizia?

—yes

—Dove ti piacerebbe vivere?

—On an island in warm weather

—Esiste la vita dopo il matrimonio?

—Sure.

—Hai uno scherzo preferito? Raccontacelo.

—I still remember what my grandfather told me before he kicked the bucket.He said,
"I wonder how far I can kick this bucket."

—Ti piacciono i cani o i gatti?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Chi o che cosa odi?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—La cosa migliore nella vita è:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—La cosa più fastidiosa nella vita è:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—C'è qualcosa intorno a te che vorresti cambiare?

—Showing people the beauty that's all around us.

—Che cosa vorresti cambiare in te stesso?

—Maybe a few years younger? Everything hurts more now, lol!

—Che cosa vorresti cambiare nel mondo?

—To have people see the humanity in those they disagree with.

—Puoi dare alcuni consigli ai fotografi alle prime armi?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Se gli alieni dovessero arrivare sulla Terra e tu fossi la prima persona ad incontrarli, che cosa diresti?

—Have a beer!

—Se dovessi essere invitato a girare un film, di che genere sarebbe?

—Drama

—Domani vado a fare...

—I will be attending an open critique at a local art gallery to get feedback on a book I am working on.