What does it mean for you to win this award?
Participating in contests, or presenting a piece of work to the catalan Asociation of Professionals of Photography, is a way to progress and develop in my job since it requires an effort to keep up to date in technical aspects as well as aesthetic tendencies. On the other hand, it is a diversion from the daily routine, which thrills, motivates, and, at the end of the day, is very beneficial from a professional point of view.
This award given by the Association of Professional Photographers in Catalonia (AFP) is very prestigious and valued by professionals due to the quality of the winning photographs. Subsequently, they publish a book, a triptych, and they organise an exhibition where you can see the most important photographic events of the year. Winning a Gold Lux Award gives, of course, a lot of satisfaction, but above all a lot of motivation to face up to new challenges.
What is José Maria Márquez like with a camera in his hands?
Well, I assume like a journalist with a pen in his hand. Photography is a way of expression, and the camera is the photographer’s tool. Once you know the technique and the rules of this language, the camera becomes an extension of your mind; it is another part of your body that obeys your brain.
The truth is that I feel comfortable and then I behave, and think, naturally. With the camera in my hands, I feel that a special way of observing the world switches on, a different way of looking at things and people.
What position does photography take in your everyday life?
Photography is my profession and my passion. Except the time I spend with my family, the rest of my time is spent practically doing something related to photography. This job, like many others, is subjected to a constant evolution which requires a continuous effort to keep up to date. In one way, it pushes you, and in another, it makes it more interesting, as in any learning process that is motivating and fun.
Analogue or Digital, which field are you most comfortable in?
There is no doubt that remembering those evenings in the dark room developing, the magic feeling of seeing the image appearing on the white paper, etc… is quite romantic. But nowadays, it is not very practical nor competitive.
New technologies have changed our world and, of course, photography. From the shot to the printing, the whole process is much more complex but it is also more complete than before. The ability to intervene at the different stages of the digital developing process allows the result to be much more controlled.
An image, is it worth more than a thousand words?
Of course, if the image is self-sufficient to transmit a message, an emotion, an idea or a concept. If the narrative is captured in the photograph is enough; there is no need for words.
