写真家Erik Kruthoff氏

—最初に - ドラド, プエルトリコで最高の写真家として誰の名前を挙げることができますか？:)

—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 ;)

—写真写りは良い方ですか？

—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 :)

—どうして写真撮影業界に入ったのですか？

—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.

—良い写真を撮影するにあたって最も重要な要素とは何であるか、ご意見をお聞かせいただけますでしょうか？

—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.

—旅行が好きですか？

—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.

—あなたの職業について一番好きなことは何ですか？

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

—あなたの職業について一番嫌いなことは何ですか？

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

—未来の写真撮影とはどのようなものでしょうか？

—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.

—あなたが専門とする特別な写真撮影のジャンルは？

—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.

—批判に対処するには？

—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.

—写真撮影でトレンドはありますか？

—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.

—写真家選択の際に、お客様が基準とすべきことは何ですか？

—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.

—撮影の際、絶対に受け入れがたいことは何でしょうか？

—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.

—写真家が気づくことができる普段は見過ごさせる細かい点は何ですか？

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

—写真の価値に影響を与えるものとは何でしょうか？その要因は？

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

—どのような人物が 21世紀を象徴する人物になり得るとお考えでしょうか？

—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.

—どんな人を撮影したいですか？

—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.

—プロとしてタブーとしている事はありますか？

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

—誰と一緒に写真を撮りたいですか？

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

—心配事はありますか。またその理由は何でしょうか？

—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.

—人生において最も印象的な瞬間とは何でしょうか？

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

—もしあなたがアニメ化されるとしたら、文学または映画の登場人物のどちらになりたいですか。またそれは何故ですか？

—Don Quixote

—あなたの人生においてインスピレーションの元となるのはどんな人ですか？また、それは何故ですか？

—My two kids, easily.

—あなたによって成功とは何でしょうか？また、それをどのように評価していますか？

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

—好かれたり、尊敬されたりするほうですか？

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

—これまで仕事上で犯した最大のミスは何ですか？

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

—旅行に出かける際には何を持っていきますか。また、それは何故ですか？

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

—所有しているガジェットの中で買わなければ良かったと思っているものはありますか？また、それは何故でしょうか？

—none.

—より良い写真を撮るために、どのように腕を磨いていますか？

—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.

—写真家として、誰の作品に一番影響を受けましたか？

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

—写真撮影を始めた頃、知っていればよかったと思う事は何でしょうか？

—Painting, Art History.

—自分の写真に対して何かコメントはありますか？

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—写真撮影を続けさせる動機は何でしょうか？

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

—ご両親は多かれ少なかれ、厳しい方だったのではないですか？

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

—過去に戻ることができるとしたら、違ったようにやりたいことはありますか？

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

—他の惑星にいる生命体はどうでしょう？

—of course.

—あなたのヒーローは誰ですか？

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

—あなたが敬意を払わない人はどんな人ですか？

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

—オフは何をしていますか？

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

—人前では絶対に見せない、あなたのもう一つの側面とは何でしょうか？

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

—自分の作品に十分に満足するのはどんな時ですか？

—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.

—男性と女性の伝統的な役割の正当性を信じていますか？

—no

—簡単に友達になることができますか？

—yes

—どこに住みたいですか？

—On an island in warm weather

—結婚後に人生は存在すると思いますか？

—Sure.

—お気に入りのジョークはありますか？教えていただけますか。

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

—犬や猫が好きですか？

—Dogs, though I like both.

—嫌いな人物や物はありますか？

—No way. I respect everyone.

—人生における最高のこと：

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—人生で最も厄介なこと：

—Hate and divisiveness.

—何か変えたいと思っていることはありますか？

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

—自分を変えたいと思っていますか？

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

—この世界の何を変えたいと思いますか？

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

—新米の写真家にコツを教えていただけますか？

—Keep improving yourself.

—もし宇宙人が地球にやってきて、あなたが最初にその宇宙人に出会うのだとしたら何を話しますか？

—Have a beer!

—もし映画の撮影を依頼されたら、どのようなジャンルを撮影しますか？

—Drama

—明日、これをしにいくつもりです...

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