Even though Spanish photographer Ana Cabaleiro claims she has no idea on how to use a camera and that she has only picked up photography about 5 years ago, her photos are absolutely stunning. If you look at them you will notice, that she mainly takes pictures of people from behind, in front of a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes. That way, these images give you the impression of standing right behind those people, and while not knowing them at all, one still somehow shares the moment with them.
As usual we asked Ana, who lives in Vigo, Spain, some questions regarding her photography:
How is traveling part of your life?
My partner is from the Basque Country, near to the French border, and we go there every summer. There is so much contrast in tthe different landscapes there, you can visit a desert in Navarra or drive two hours and suddenly you are in a huge green mountain. I think that’s why I started to feel the need of discover new places and shoot them, both things are closely related for me. I love to discover different sceneries, to have that feeling of being speechless. Almost as good and exciting as the trip itself, for me is the drive there, listening to mixtapes. Anyway we try to travel to new places every month that aren’t too far from my hometown.
What got you into photography?
I started five years ago, but i always admired photography. As music is my other passion (I have a blog called Microphones in the Trees) I’ve always thought that album covers are very significant and I’ve often times bought an album just because of the beautiful album cover. Part of it is probably also down to my friend who takes beautiful pictures: Rafa Romero aka Àrbore.
Which cameras and techniques do you use?
I love my old Praktica bc1 with 50mm lens and expired films. I also shoot with Olympus om10, Smena 8mm, Zenit E, Yashica t4 and lately with a Lomo LC-A, a present from a friend. I occasionally shoot with Polaroid Spectra and Polaroid sx-70.
What are your favorite places in the world to take photos at?
I love deserts and i never get tired of Las Bardenas Reales in Navarra. I’m happy in vast, abandoned and lonely places but I guess my favorites are still to come. I would love to visit the Atacama and Uyuni deserts, Iceland, Thailand, and go on a road trip through America.
What is your favourite picture and what is so special about it?
My favourite picture changes every day, but this one is very special to me. It is serene, the light is soft, even the way the two old men are dressed is soft, each one of them looked in a different direction. Old friends enjoying their voyage. I would love to see myself that way a few years down the line.
What photography-realted advice would you give other girls who travel?
Don’t hesitate if you see something that catches your eye. Just that.
If you like Ana’s photos head over to her portfolio page or her flickr. She recently published an iPad photo book which is available here.
If you come across great female travel photographers, drop me a line at nina@travelettes.net.
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This post was written by Nina Hüpen-Bestendonk, who has a funny name even for Germans; she is a wicked go-getter and creative freelance designer, photographer and blogger.
She has an eye for beauty and even finds it in ugly apartment blogs. Her weekly photo chronicle “My week in pictures” has already become a classic among urban Berliners. Find out more at smaracuja.de.
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