Have you heard the song by hiphop singer Jay-Z called āGirls, girls, girlsā? Well if not, itās a song dedicated to beautiful girls all over the globe - regardless of where they come from. WeĀ feel that Noe Lozano's (noelozano)Ā pictures tells the same story. Noeās portraits of girls serve as Ā his artistic dedication to beautiful women all over the world. Noeās photography is intimate and uncomplicated. In his monochrome photos heĀ catches a unique raw beauty and simplicity.
What inspired you to be a photographer?
I canāt really think of a particular moment that pushed me towards wanting to be a photographer, I was always intrigued by the idea of capturing a singular moment in time. When I was younger, Iād say around the age of 8 or 9 I would carry a small 110mm film camera, now that I think of it I honestly donāt remember getting any of the photos that I took at the age developed. I merely enjoyed bringing the camera to my eye and framing the scene, although at that age Iām sure the scene that I framed wasnāt that great. However I was gifted my first DSLR by my wife on Christmas of 2011 and it was at that point in time in which I decided to pursue the art of photography.
What was your first camera and what do you shoot with today?
When I was younger I had bunch of those point and shoot 110mm toy cameras. However my first camera which I actually learned on was a Canon t3, not a t3i but just a t3. Currently Iām actually using a Classic Canon 5D. I really enjoy the simplicity of the 5D, I shoot portraits so I donāt need all the focus points and the high frame rate. I shoot in controlled lighting environments about 90% of the time so I donāt need super high ISO capabilities. Are those things niceā¦ sure they are, but I know what I need and I know what works best for me.
When someone looks at your photos, what do you want them to take away from it, what are you trying to communicate?
I want them to pause for a moment so that they can admire, be captivated, and to make a connection with the person in the photograph. My goal is to simply create beautiful portraiture. My favorite experience was when a client I had worked with wrote me a thank you message. In the thank you message she told how she had been having body image issues due to some health issues she was having, she then stated that my photographs of her made her feel new again.. beautiful again.. so with that being said Iām not trying to communicate much other than simply to display their natural beauty.
What is it that you love about photography?
I really enjoy the process of portraiture. Time permitting, I like the process of getting to know the people I photograph. The photos I create in between those fleeting moments when their guard goes down are my favorite. On top of that I also enjoy a term I've come to call "Unspoken Beauty" I like to create photos where the subject begins to see how beautiful they truly are.
What has photography done for you?
Photography has provided me an avenue to express myself, to show what my idea of beauty is. Iāve also been able to form some really great friendships with my subjects. The testimonials that I get from my clients once they receive their finished photos keep pushing me to constantly recreate that emotion for others so that they can feel the same way. It is very gratifying that I can provide massive confidence boosts by simply creating their portrait.
Do you try to be conceptual or do you prefer to show the feeling behind a photo?
Definitely the feeling behind a photo, emotion is everything to me. Iām not one for big productions, I love simple portraiture.
How do you describe your style?Ā
Simple, clean, emotive.
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
Ahh gear questionsā¦ Iām not a huge fan of gear questions. I feel in the world we live in today there is far too much conflicting information and review sites that make photographers second guess themselves. Take a look at the amazing images that Henri Cartier-Bresson created from his personal work the majority of that (if not all) was shot using a 50mm lens. Hellā¦ look at the work that Miroslav TichĆ½ createdā¦ He made his camera bodies from things he had around him, including plywood, road asphalt, and thread spools. His lenses would be created from toilet paper tubes with custom lenses created from Plexiglas that had been sanded with sandpaper and then polished with toothpaste and cigarette ashes.
But to answer your question my 50mm lens is attached to my 5D about 90% of the time, It works for what I do.
What are your 3 tips for others who want to become better photographers?
Tip 1. Practice
Tip 2. Practice
Tip 3. Practice
Practice makes perfect. As a photographer you can read and study lighting diagrams, camera settings, and photographic techniques until the world ends but in reality you have to apply these techniques in real world situations to see how they work.
Have you received negative feedback from your work? What did you do about it?
Hereās the thing about feedback, this can be applied to both positive and negative feedback, It all depends on where it comes from. If it comes from a peer that I respect and whose opinion matters to me, then yes I will consider their thoughts. I feel very strongly about my work and I do everything for a reason, so I know where my intentions lie and I know what Iām trying to express. You canāt please everyone but you can please yourself.
Where did you learn to take photos?
When I was gifted my first dslr, I had that camera on or near me at all times. I studied and practiced constantly, and honestly I study and practice still to this day. I learned the ins and outs of using my camera in manual mode. I even learned the other modes just so that I can know when those modes would be useful to me. I wasnāt fortunate enough to have a mentor or to apprentice under another photographer so I studied those who I consider great.
Raw vs jpg and why?
Iāve used raw from the beginning. I like starting out with a zero baseline on my image, simply so that I can alter the image however I need. Iām sure I could shoot with flat jpeg and be totally fine but honestly with the inexpensive cost of storage I donāt see the need to take a potential risk of losing a great image because I may have forgotten to adjust my aperture in a studio environment from my previous setup.
What do you carry in your camera bag?
Currently I'm using a Classic Canon 5d with a nifty fifty attached about 90% of the time. I also keep a 85mm 1.8 and 135mm 2.8 both manual focus.
If you could have the gift of a great photographer who would it be and why?Ā
That is a great question, I would want the ability to build the trust and rapport that Richard Avedon would have with his subjects. Along with the ability to capture the quiet essence the way Peter Lindbergh seems to do extremely well.
What is the most common mistake you see people making when shooting these days?
I would have to say overthinking. Overthinking the gear, overthinking the concept, overthinking the wardrobe, overthinking the posing, just overthinking in general. It can be too easy to fall into the process of overthinking. Sometimes the most simplest of ideas are the best of ideas.
What is your dream location to shoot?
At the moment, Paris. I feel like the women in that area would fit wonderfully well with my aesthetic.
How do you decide on where to shoot a photo?
I like shooting in the comfort of my home. I can easily setup a seamless backdrop and some studio lights and create work that looks like it was shot in any fancy studio. I always love some good natural light and I have this really soft beautiful light that comes in through my balcony, Iāve been shooting there a lot more lately.
What is next for you? Any planned adventures with your camera?
Iām constantly trying to perfect my craft. Iāll never be fully satisfied but I think that will only help in me getting better. So the only thing I have planned is to learn, study, practice, implementā¦ rinse, wash, and repeat. All the while creating a body of work I can leave behind as my legacy.
What is your goal with your photography?
To create a body of work that will outlast my own lifetime.
To see more of the beautiful portraits visit Lozanoās profile,Ā websiteĀ and Instagram account.
