The final feature for this week is a photographer by the name of Valeria Lopez @_pareidoliaa who involves the meaning of "Pareidolia" behind her work which we will get into. We will be referring to Valeria as Vale throughout this feature as well.
Vale starts us off by sharing what she's been into recently "I have honestly been trying to enjoy my summer as best as I can by relaxing, binge watching
shows, and spending time with friends and family." Ah yes I too have been binging The Sopranos especially on my days off, but I've been finding the time to visit pop ups and markets before work as well. She continues by sharing some of her favorite locals "A few of my favorite local artists are people I knew in high school. One of my closest friends, Andres Mazzei, is an amazing graphic artist. I remember watching him draw during school and always wondered how he could get any better, but now seeing his work on Illustrator, it is amazing to see how his work has evolved. I also really like the work of a fellow photographer Camila Ocampo. She is amazing at taking portraits, and it is very inspiring to see someone my age making it as a freelance photographer in the valley." Just get other and do what you enjoy! You never know where it could lead you! I feel like Vale could ask to collaborate with other photographers and come up with some really nice ideas together. Which would then help build connections or even just a new friend. I've considered taking the offer to writing something for Trucha because I also love their work, but I like by accepting the offer could also help me with my writing and by experimenting with something new I can learn something. Something for the both us to consider!
We all have our beginnings even myself, but how did Vale get interested in photography? "I took a trip to Cancun with my family when I was about 9, and while we were there, we decided to have a photo shoot on the beach. Seeing the photographer guide us, find the perfect angle, and make us feel comfortable in front of the camera amazed me. Something clicked inside of me that day, I knew from that day on that is what I wanted to do when I grew up." I never really enjoyed being in front of the camera but there is this one Polaroid picture I have in my book. It's an image I have of a group of friends before a trip and I like to look at it from time to time and the other images we took. I actually enjoyed being in front of the camera that day. From a feeling expressed in front of the camera now she's the one capturing it as she continues by saying "I love being behind the camera, I love being in control of everything and being able to make the picture in my head come to life. Nothing feels better to me than getting that perfect shot."
The perfect shot to feeling satisfied with your work, while maybe still feeling a little dissatisfied is part of the process, but how were the first moments for Vale after realizing what she wanted to do "Growing up I would have photoshoots with my friends all the time, but they were all just for fun. I didn’t really start to take photography seriously until about my junior year of high school when I considered photography as a major. Once I got to college, I realized I had a lot to learn, not only on what it takes to create a great photograph, but how to create great art as well." Yes there is certainly a lot to take in and learn with photography as there is with art. From the mediums to the history behind. Even with music which I'm sure involves more than just learning a chords. At first things are always fun, but it gets better once we dig deeper into it along with the frustrating learning process! There is certainly still plenty to learn.
What can be said about the word of the day "Pareidolia" ? "Pareidolia is a real term I discovered while reading the book “Goodbye Days” by Jeff Zentner. The main character states that 'pareidolia' is one of his favorite terms, and that 'It’s when
your mind sees a pattern you recognize where there isn’t one. Like seeing a face on the moon.' It is something I, and I believe most people, experience their whole lives, so I was very pleased to discover the word that describes that phenomenon. I thought it would be the right name for my photography account because part of being a photographer is having a good eye and seeing things in a way other people normally wouldn’t." I honestly thought this was a word you created until you spoke about it about it to me when I asked about it. We truly learn something new everyday. When she mentions "It’s when your mind sees a pattern you recognize where there isn’t one. Like seeing a face on the moon" It's like looking at clouds or the popcorn ceiling or brick walls as examples. Looking at them and thinking it's a shape or a face, but it's just a random pattern. To each of us it would be totally different. As the image shown below we can see the emotion, but maybe there's different reasons for the set emotion it is conveying to us differently. Different factors taking place for what we may think is from relatability or having an idea of what it could be. Is that "Pareidolia?"
From what she puts behind her work how would he like to grow with it? "I wish to become more confident and experimental with my work. I feel I discourage myself
sometimes from trying to shoot a certain subject out of fear that other people won’t like it,won’t get it, or simply judge me for it. I would also want to work on ideas I’ve had that haven’t worked out in the past or could’ve worked out better had there been more planning involved." When it comes to the "out of fear that other people won't like it, won't get it, or simply judge me for it" what about if YOU like it? What if it's something Vale would want to experiment with and use as growth? Artists trying new mediums and musicians trying new sounds. I'd say just go for it! Vale has a lot to learn and these discouraging thoughts can halt progress, but I encourage trying something new!
As mentions "fear...people won't like it or simply won't get it" how can she start by getting out of her comfort zone in trying something new as she says " I really want to learn film. I want to learn how to develop both black and white and colored
film, as well as old tricks people used to create manual double exposures and so forth. I feel one really learns how to be a great photographer once they learn film, since you must wait until the right moment to get the shot you want." Maybe using that "right moment to get the shot you want" on those ideas you feel won't be enjoyed? Other than that film just looks super cool! Even the idea of using expired film what I've seen from others. Can't wait to see shots in film with the feeling of "Pareidolia" behind them.
This one shoot had my eye from the lighting to the scene and it is called "pity party of one" what can be said about it "The idea actually came from the model, Caddy Guerrero. She got inspiration for her 'pity party' after looking at photos on Pinterest, and set everything up herself. After looking at the photos myself, I noticed they all seemed to be taken on film, or edited to look like film. Since I did not have a film camera, I decided to put a sandwich bag over my lens to see if it would
give the photos that film look after seeing the idea on twitter. The idea worked and I fell in love with how the photos turned out. It was really her vision, but I was happy to help bring it to life." Whoa, woah did she just say "I decided to put a sandwich bag over my lens to see if it would give the photos that film look" I would have never guessed that! That's such an amazing idea and a way to do something differently. With your idea/photography and the models vision it made it really make it feel and bring the idea to life as a "pity party for one." This shoot can even be brought back to the word of the day and what we see. Different reasons as to why or creating our own by just looking at it and being "this could be the reason why its a pity party of one."
Besides word of the day what does Vale look for when behind the camera? "It depends on the shoot really. When I’m photographing people, I’m looking for what poses they feel most comfortable in, where to put them so the background looks best, and how to play with the lighting conditions. If I’m just out taking pictures of anything, I look for bright or contrasting colors, beautiful scenery, or high contrast areas. It’s hard to describe really, I just try to photograph whatever makes me look or think twice." Well from what I have seen so far Vale it certainly has made me "look or think twice" or create miniature stories behind the images. The image scenery behind this image is an example of " I’m looking for what poses they feel most comfortable in, where to put them so the background looks best."
If someone has a certain vision and what's to bring it to life could they contact you? she replied with "Of course! They can send me a message on Instagram @_pareidoliaa or email me via lopezvaleriac@gmail.com"
From what she looks for behind the camera we move on to what defines a "good" picture to her? She explains by saying "Personally, the things that catch my eye the most are bright colors, interesting lighting, multiple exposures, strong facial expressions, expressive body language, and very detailed sets. If you are able to have all or even a few of these elements in your photo, it is a good one. However, it really depends on what the artist is going for. I think you have to look at what their work is about first and then decide if their photos accomplish that or not in order to consider it a good photo." There certainly is a lot to consider when taking a photograph! Especially if working with someone else as she mentions "depends on what the artist is going for." Of course this can differ from photographer to photographer, but it's going to be interesting see what everyone else says as well. Other than that it looks like Vale has an idea on what she looks for and what she sees a "good" image, but can that change?
IF YOU COULD BE TELEPORTED WITH A CAMERA WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A PICTURE OF! "One thing that is at the top of my bucket list are seeing the Northern Lights in person in order to photograph them. I think it would be a magical experience and amazing to photograph." I never heard of it, but it sounds really familiar in my mind. I can kinda picture it, but I'm not too sure. I won't google it I'll wait 'till Vale takes a picture of it.
Vale shares her thoughts on the local scene in The Valley,
"I am happy to see more events being made for artists to showcase their work to the public, but believe they need to happen more often. I think the valley is full of artists that may be afraid to show their work or simply don’t know where/who to go to in order to show their work, and that needs to change."
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