I am Spanish, and I live in the South of Spain. I am an English teacher, but since I was a child, I have loved photography. I have always had a camera with me documenting moments in my life, in my teenage years I had the dream of becoming a professional photographer, but I never got down to doing it, and life took over, and my childhood dream flew away.
It wasn’t until January 2016 when I decided to take the Advanced Photography Course, and my passion was reborn again. Working through the Advanced diploma, I discovered that what motivated me was Street Photography.
Doing this course has pushed me to take the camera with me all the time and right now, taking photos has become a way of life for me, nearly every day I take pictures. I would like to add as well that it has helped me to see where I live differently too. When my photographic brain switches on I can see photos everywhere.
When I am in the streets my shyness disappears, all I want to do is to get the shot. My eyes open and my brain goes into this zen mood where I feel a spectator of the real world, and I love it, I could even say it is kind of therapeutical.
My main purpose for my photography is to show an ordinary situation as something interesting with some mystery in it. Placing the viewer asking themselves where and how the photo was taken and what happened next, telling a story.
Light is so important; I am learning how to use it to enhance the picture.
I am 46 years old, and when I have the camera in my hands, I feel like a kid. I do not have that desire to become a professional photographer anymore, but it does not mean I do not have ambition with my photography. I want to improve all the time. Social media is a great way to show your work. I have recently won a local photo contest in the town of Tarifa.
I am still finding my voice, but I feel I am on the right track.
Santos achieved a Distinction in the Diploma in Street Photography in 2018.
See more of her work here
