In search of light

Carlos Rebolledo has an eye for that something special amidst the apparently banal: while constantly searching for the right motifs, the street photographer finds inspiration in the interplay between light and shadow, and transforms chance encounters with his fellow human beings into colourful snapshots.

LFI: How did you get into street photography?
Carlos Rebolledo:While looking through photography blogs, I came across some that dealt with the subject, and I was immediately hooked. I started looking at classic and modern photographers, and buying books by some of them; but it wasn’t until I did the first street photography workshop that I decided to go out and take pictures in public places.

What are the biggest influences on your work?
I don’t know if any clear influence can be detected in my work. I like many authors with different styles, different nationalities and from different times. Among the classics are Garry Winogrand, Elliott Erwitt, Koudelka, Klein... Alex Webb, Joel Meyerowitz, Harry Gruyaert, Eggleston... Trent Parke, Moriyama.... and many, many Spaniards… the list would be very long. At the moment, I’m fascinated by a Russian photographer, Boris Savelev, who was recommended to me by a friend.

You clearly enjoy taking pictures out in the street. Do you have favourite subjects, and how do you find the right moment to press the shutter button?
Nowadays I look for the light; above all, light in the early and late hours of the day. Light and everything it influences, creating shadows, filtering colours, reflecting, isolating elements. I always try to include people in my photos, or at least traces of them.
The moment to hit the shutter button depends on the situation. There are times when I find a suggestive, or attractive, or strange background, and I wait for something to happen in front of it; other times, as I’m walking, I’ll suddenly come across something and shoot virtually without looking; and at times I stop for a few moments to better prepare the photograph.
I don’t think I do anything different from the majority of street photographers.

What are your favourite places to photograph and why?
Obviously, urban settings where there are people with different attitudes, above all in places I know in both my cities, Madrid and San Sebastián. But I’ll also try to take pictures of whatever surprises me, anywhere I happen to I find myself.

What was it like working with the Leica CL?
I found it a very comfortable and easy-to-use camera, with a good size to make it manageable and not draw people’s attention.
The quality of the image is great and it feels very good in your hands. You realise that you’re holding a product of superior quality. An experience, no doubt difficult to forget.