Jurufoto Erik Kruthoff

—Pertama sekali – siapakah yang boleh anda namakan sebagai jurufoto terbaik di Dorado, Puerto 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 ;)

—Adakah anda seorang yang fotogenik?

—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 :)

—Bagaimanakah anda mula menceburkan diri dalam industri fotografi?

—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.

—Apakah komponen paling penting sekeping foto yang bagus menurut pendapat anda?

—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.

—Adakah anda minat mengembara?

—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.

—Apakah yang paling anda sukai mengenai kerjaya anda?

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

—Apakah yang paling anda tidak suka mengenai kerjaya anda?

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

—Apakah masa depan fotografi?

—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.

—Apakah yang istimewa dalam genre fotografi yang anda sedang mengkhusus?

—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.

—Bagaimanakah cara anda menangani kritikan?

—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.

—Adakah wujud sebarang trend dalam fotografi?

—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.

—Apakah sepatutnya menjadi kriteria untuk seorang pelanggan memilih jurufoto?

—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.

—Apakah perkara yang patut dielakkan semasa penggambaran?

—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.

—Apakah perincian yang selalunya terlepas tanpa disedari namun boleh disedari oleh seorang jurufoto?

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

—Apakah yang boleh mempengaruhi nilai sekeping foto? Apakah elemen nilai itu?

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

—Siapakah individu yang boleh menjadi simbol abad ke-21 menurut pendapat anda?

—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.

—Siapakah yang mahu anda rakamkan dalam foto?

—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.

—Adakah anda ada sebarang tabu profesional?

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

—Siapakah orang yang anda mahu merakam foto bersamanya?

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

—Apakah yang merisaukan anda, dan mengapa?

—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.

—Apakah detik paling mengesankan dalam hidup anda?

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

—Jika anda ialah karakter dalam kartun, buku atau filem, siapakah yang anda ingin jadi dan kenapa?

—Don Quixote

—Siapakah yang menjadi sumber inspirasi hidup anda dan mengapa?

—My two kids, easily.

—Bagaimanakah anda mentakrifkan kejayaan? Bagaimanakah anda mengukurnya?

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

—Mana satu yang lebih penting bagi anda, disukai atau dihormati?

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

—Apakah kesilapan terbesar yang pernah anda lakukan ketika bekerja?

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

—Apabila anda pergi mengembara, apakah yang anda bawa bersama anda dan mengapa?

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

—Adakah sesuatu yang anda harap anda tidak pernah beli antara banyak gajet milik anda? Mengapa?

—none.

—Bagaimanakah anda meningkatkan diri untuk merakam gambar yang lebih baik?

—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.

—Hasil kerja siapakah yang paling mempengaruhi anda sebagai jurufoto?

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

—Apakah satu perkara yang anda harap anda telah tahu ketika mula merakam foto?

—Painting, Art History.

—Apakah yang ingin anda sampaikan melalui foto anda?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Apakah yang memotivasikan anda untuk terus mengambil gambar?

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

—Bukankah ibu bapa anda pada satu tahap patut bertegas?

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

—Jika anda boleh kembali ke masa lalu, apakah yang akan ada lakukan dengan cara berbeza?

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

—Bagaimanakah kehidupan di planet lain?

—of course.

—Siapakah hero anda?

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

—Siapakah orang yang anda tidak hormat kepadanya?

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

—Apakah yang anda lakukan pada masa lapang?

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

—Apakah sisi diri anda yang tidak pernah diketahui umum?

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

—Bilakah anda akan benar-benar berpuas hati dengan kerja anda?

—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.

—Adakah anda percaya dengan peranan tradisi bagi lelaki dan perempuan?

—no

—Adakah anda mudah berkawan?

—yes

—Di manakah anda suka untuk tinggal?

—On an island in warm weather

—Masih adakah kehidupan selepas perkahwinan?

—Sure.

—Adakah anda ada lawak kegemaran? Beritahu kami.

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

—Anda suka anjing atau kucing?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Siapakah atau apakah yang anda tidak suka?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Perkara terbaik dalam hidup ialah:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Perkara paling menjengkelkan dalam hidup ialah:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Adakah sesuatu di sekitar anda yang anda ingin ubah?

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

—Apakah yang anda mahu ubah pada diri sendiri?

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

—Apakah yang anda ingin ubah di dunia ini?

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

—Bolehkah anda berikan beberapa petua untuk jurufoto yang baru saja bermula?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Jika makhluk asing datang ke Bumi dan anda ialah orang pertama yang mereka temui, apakah yang akan anda beritahu kepada mereka?

—Have a beer!

—Jika anda dipanggil untuk penggambaran sebuah filem, apakah yang akan menjadi genrenya?

—Drama

—Esok saya akan pergi dan melakukan...

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