A Conversation with Jose Garcia ~ Capturing light and positive energy
Introduce yourself, where you’re from/located and what type of photography you primarily shoot.
Hi, my name is Jose. I'm from North Richmond, and I'm currently living in Richmond CA. I primarily shoot landscapes.
How did you get into your chosen medium? Do you remember the catalyst that influenced your decision to begin your journey?
My way to this medium is an interesting story because it's not your traditional start. I didn't have a camera passed down to me from a family member or ever thought about shooting film. I have known this person for a while now and saw him get into film and noticed how good he got with it, and naturally, I felt envious about how good he got. So I remember expressing this to my best friend, who said you could do it. I naturally said no, I can't, and he said why not? You're the only person that's stopping yourself from doing it. That's all I needed to hear. So that same day I bought my first camera, a Canon F1.
Do you have any photographers or artists who have influenced your creative style when composing or editing your photos?
Great question. Thank you for asking. The main photographer that comes to mind is Eric Smith aka @erocksmith. I had known this guy before I got into photography, but we never hung out. Once I got into film, we started following each other, and he's always supported my progress into the medium. Then we decided to shoot one day, which changed my photography career. We started shooting every weekend, and I learned a lot from him, from how he used light, the subjects he shot, and the framing. It opened my eyes to see the world differently.
What is the camera (and film stock if applicable) that you're currently using while out taking photographs? Can you share what drew you to this setup?
I've been shooting with my FujiGA645, and the usual suspect is Portra 800. I love the contrast and grain I get from this setup, especially since I tend to shoot in low light. Golden and blue hour is my go-to time of the day to shoot.
Can you share some insight into your creative process when looking for a composition or framing your photo?
I'm big on energy, so I usually go for what pulls me toward that energy.
For many creatives, social media plays a large role in their careers, whether positive or negative. How would you describe its impact on your creativity?
I'm on a social media break as I type this out. However, I felt I needed to reassess where my energy was going. In doing that I realized I was getting caught up with how many likes, features, and followers I was not getting. Which discouraged me and had me thinking my work wasn't good enough, which was all a lie. Those things don't decide if my work is good or bad. But I'm happy to say I'm in a better head space with my work.
Do you have any other creative hobbies you’re interested in that people don’t see shared on social media?
The other one would be skateboarding. That has always been a creative hobby that I've had for years.
Do you have anything creative you’re working on or excited about for the future?
I do have some creative projects in the works. I'm shooting one of them on October 24th, and the other one is starting on November 1st. I'm thinking of turning my project into a zine or maybe having an art show around that project. So we shall see how the energy feels around that. Super stoked to share these with everyone.
I want to thank you for featuring me. I am honored to be in this space. It's a beautiful feeling knowing people love your work. If I could say one inspiring thing is to create out of love. Love always wins. Thank you, all who took the time to read my interview. I want to shout out to all my buddies who shaped me into the person/photographer I am today. There are too many to name-drop. You know who you are. I love and appreciate you all.
