Fotógrafo Erik Kruthoff

—Em primeiro lugar - quem é para si o melhor fotógrafo em 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 ;)

—Você é fotogénica(o)?

—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 :)

—Como se iniciou na indústria da 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.

—Em sua opinião, quais são os componentes mais importantes para uma boa fotografia?

—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.

—Gosta de viajar?

—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.

—O que mais gosta na sua profissão?

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

—O que menos gosta na sua profissão?

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

—Qual será o futuro da 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.

—O que há de especial para si, no género de fotografia em que se especializou?

—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.

—Como lida com as críticas?

—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.

—Existem tendências na 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.

—Quais deveriam ser os critérios considerados pelo cliente na escolha de um fotógrafo?

—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.

—O que não é permitido de todo ao fotografar?

—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.

—Que detalhes passam habitualmente despercebidos mas nos quais um fotógrafo repara?

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

—O que influencia o valor da foto? Quais são os seus elementos?

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

—Na sua opinião, que pessoa poderá ser o símbolo do século XXI?

—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.

—O quem pretende fotografar?

—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.

—Tem tabus profissionais?

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

—Com quem gostaria de fotografar?

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

—Com que se preocupa e porquê?

—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 foi o momento mais impressionante na sua vida?

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

—Que personagem animada, literária ou de um filme gostaria de ser? Porquê?

—Don Quixote

—Quem o inspira na sua vida e porquê?

—My two kids, easily.

—Como define o sucesso? Como o afere?

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

—Gostaria mais de ser amado ou respeitado?

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

—Qual foi o maior erro que já cometeu a nível profissional?

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

—Quando vai viajar, o que leva consigo e porquê?

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

—Está arrependido de ter adquirido algum dos gadgets que possui? Porquê?

—none.

—Como aprende a tirar fotos melhores?

—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.

—Que trabalho mais o influenciou como fotógrafo?

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

—Qual é a coisa que mais gostaria de ter sabido quando começou a fotografar?

—Painting, Art History.

—O que pretende transmitir com as suas fotos?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—O que o motiva a continuar a fotografar?

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

—Os seus pais deveriam ter sido mais ou menos rigorosos?

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

—Se pudesse regredir no tempo, o que faria de diferente?

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

—O que pensa da vida nos outros planetas?

—of course.

—Quem são os seus heróis?

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

—A quem é que não respeita?

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

—O que faz nos seus tempos livres?

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

—Qual é o seu lado que o público nunca vê?

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

—Quando é que fica completamente satisfeito com o seu trabalho?

—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.

—Acredita nos papéis tradicionais reservados ao homem e à mulher?

—no

—Faz amigos com facilidade?

—yes

—Onde gostaria de viver?

—On an island in warm weather

—Existe vida depois do casamento?

—Sure.

—Tem uma anedota favorita? Conte-nos.

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

—Gosta de cães e gatos?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—A quem ou o que odeia?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—A melhor coisa na vida é:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—A coisa mais irritante na vida é:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Existe algo em seu redor que gostaria de mudar?

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

—O que gostaria de mudar em si próprio?

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

—O que gostaria de mudar no mundo?

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

—Pode dar algumas dicas para fotógrafos principiantes?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Caso os alienígenas viessem para a Terra, e fosse a primeira pessoa a encontrá-los, o que lhes diria?

—Have a beer!

—Se fosse chamado para fazer um filme, que género escolheria?

—Drama

—Amanhã eu vou fazer...

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