攝影師 Erik Kruthoff

—首先─您認為誰是多拉多, 波多黎各最優秀的攝影師呢？ :)

—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 ;)

—您上相嗎？

—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 :)

—您如何開始從事攝影行業？

—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.

—您認為一張好照片裡最重要的元素有哪些？

—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.

—您熱愛旅行嗎？

—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.

—您最喜歡這個職業的哪個部分？

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

—您最不喜歡這個職業的哪個部分？

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

—攝影的前景如何？

—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.

—您擅長的攝影類型有什麼特別之處？

—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.

—您如何應對批評？

—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.

—攝影有什麼潮流？

—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.

—客戶選擇攝影師的標準有哪些？

—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.

—拍攝時應該避免哪些事項？

—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.

—通常不會被注意，但攝影師卻能留意的細節有哪些呢？

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

—什麼事物會影響照片的價值？它包含了哪些因素？

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

—您認為哪個人可以被視為21世紀的代表人物？

—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.

—您想拍誰？

—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.

—您有任何職業禁忌嗎？

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

—您想和誰一起拍攝？

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

—您會擔心什麼？為什麼？

—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.

—您人生中印象最深刻的一刻是什麼？

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

—如果您是個卡通、小說或電影角色，您想成為誰？為什麼？

—Don Quixote

—誰能在生命中激發您的靈感？為什麼？

—My two kids, easily.

—您如何定義成功？您會怎麼衡量它？

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

—您是希望被喜愛或是被景仰呢？

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

—您在工作上犯過最大的錯誤是什麼？

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

—當您要去旅行時，您會帶什麼？為什麼？

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

—在您擁有的物品中，有任何您希望沒買過的嗎？為什麼？

—none.

—您如何學習拍出更好的照片呢？

—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.

—身為攝影師，誰的作品對您影響最大？

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

—哪件事是您希望從開始拍照時就知道的？

—Painting, Art History.

—您想用自己的照片說些什麼？

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—讓您持續拍照的動力是什麼？

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

—您的雙親應該更加或是更不嚴厲呢？

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

—如果能回到過去，您會有什麼不同舉動呢？

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

—您對在其他星球上的生命有什麼看法呢？

—of course.

—誰是您的英雄？

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

—您不重視誰？

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

—您空閒時會做些什麼？

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

—您的哪一面是公眾不曾看到過的？

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

—您什麼時候會對自己的作品完全滿意？

—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.

—您認可男女性的傳統角色嗎？

—no

—您容易交到朋友嗎？

—yes

—您希望在哪裡生活？

—On an island in warm weather

—結婚後還有人生嗎？

—Sure.

—您有最愛的笑話嗎？請告訴我們。

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

—您喜歡狗還是貓？

—Dogs, though I like both.

—您討厭誰或什麼？

—No way. I respect everyone.

—人生中最棒的事是：

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—人生中最煩人的事是：

—Hate and divisiveness.

—您的周圍有任何您想改變的事情嗎？

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

—您希望改變自己的哪一點？

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

—您希望改變世界的哪些方面？

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

—您能為新進攝影師提供一些建議嗎？

—Keep improving yourself.

—如果外星人來到地球，而您是他們第一個遇見的人，您會跟他們說什麼？

—Have a beer!

—如果您被邀請去拍攝電影，那會是什麼類型的電影呢？

—Drama

—明天我會去做...

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