Artist Research - Rui Palha

A Portuguese photographer, born in 1953, that find inspiration in the city that he is living, Lisbon. The strong contrasts that a city has to offer, Palha is there to capture and freeze those moments (Gea, 2016). Palha is recognised as a Street Photographer and according to Stewart (2017), the photographer is considered one of the top ten in contemporary street photography. A photographer that is not used to express his feelings, however, through photography we can see his soul (Gea, 2016).

“Photography is a very important part of my space… it is to discover, it is to capture giving flow to what the heart feels and sees in a certain moment, it is being in the street, experiencing, understanding, learning and, essentially, practicing the freedom of being, of living, of thinking….” (Stewart, 2017). 

Photography became a hobby when Palha was fourteen years old and since there the artist has been able to capture different moments but also been amazed with people reactions and expressions (Gea, 2016). Certainly, challenging times to start Photography, that we have easy access now to a different technology that years ago was not possible and the time consuming in self learning was longer comparing to the information that people have access nowadays (Lorraine, 2021). According to Gea (2016), for Palha any camera could be a good instrument to capture different street moments, however, the artist recommends to carry a discreet camera to take the shots. By anticipating the moment, Palha shares that the experience comes from that (Gea, 2016). The book, 'Street Photography' by Palha, won an award in 2011 has the 'Best Work of Photography' by the Portuguese Society of Authors (Lorraine, 2021). 

In his website, Rui Palha Photography, the Underground project has hooked my attention in particular. Furthermore, I will analyse and discuss some of his photographs that have inspire me for my final project. 

Figure 1 - Underground, Lisbon, Rui Palha, N.D.

One of the first photographs, (see Figure 1), that has captivate my attention. The picture seems to be indoors, has the project is called Underground, I believe that could be one of the station halls.  A Black and White photograph that show us a subject not focus walking in a mosaic floor. The fact that the subject is on the white area of the floor it gives us a clear idea, the same would not work if the person was on top of the dark area on the floor. This show me that the photographer waited patiently to freeze the moment.  A picture that the artist took from a higher perspective and gives us a clear optical illusion. The technique that the artist have used was based in the subject passing by, and I believe that it helps with the outcome, however a rules of third in not applied in this photograph. The light seems to come from the ceiling, however, I cannot have a clear opinion on that, but from the luminosity and the way the mosaic is illuminated the photograph presents that could be a possibility. The photograph seems slightly underexposed, has the mosaic can be seen clearly, which with an exposed light or using the flash that could ruin the shapes that can be seen in the photograph. The artist has chosen a long exposure to capture the moment and he did this very well. Some texture can ben notice, such as the floor and some cracks on it. By capturing only on subject in movement by having the camera still to show us the floor. In my opinion is a good photograph, not my favourite, however I think the fact the artist to capture a subject from that angle gives me a better perspective instead to photograph only the floor. Also this photograph gives me the feeling that even in a busy place, usually, like a train station can be, people can have times that are just themselves. As an artist this reminds an abstract art. By playing with geometries that is something that captivates my curiosity to discover more about the creation. 

Figure 2 - Underground, Lisbon, Rui Palha, N.D. 

This photograph, (see Figure 2),  in comparison to the previous has many other aspects that I'd to talk such as composition, light and substance. In this black and white photograph we have two clear subjects where the artists has focused his attention on. The woman and the man seated and looking to each other. She is positioned in the Rule of Thirds, whilst the man is more in a central area of the photograph, however, the composition is very strong and clear. The woman lead us to the man, and the bar from the seat behind them as an important role on this as well because of the color and how ends almost in the man's face. At the very bottom I see what it could be a head from other passenger and that gives a depth of field and what tells that the artist could be behind someone else. As I know this train, the man is probably standing. Also the other subjects surrounding the two focused subjects gives a clear depth of field. Even not focused we can notice some expressions. The outside window just behind the man show us a group of people maybe waiting to enter the train and this works very well bringing some dramatic contrast to the photograph. This people seem to be long exposed which could tell that the train was in movement, and this technique gives a sense of expressionism, almost working a canvas behind the subject where we can see, again, some expressions, not so clearly due to exposed shutter. The black and white really works on this picture. If this was a colour image could have many distractions and I think that the artist did well to simplify the image where the lines and contrast say everything. 

In my opinion it is a very strong photograph, not only in terms of composition but how the artist was capable to tell us a story by freezing the moment of this two people looking to each other and have the ability to add some other subjects to the moment and add some dramatic look into that. I can just supposed if they are a couple or friends. In my opinion, they have a some complicity in their eyes and they seems very close to each other. This photograph reminds me how enjoyable a busy journey can be when seated with the right person next to us.

Reference

Gea, L. J. (2016) Interview to Rui Palha. Available at: https://www.streetsoulphotography.com/interviewruipalha/ (Accessed: 20/04/2022)

Stewart, J. (2017) Top 10 Contemporary Street Photographer Active Today. Available at: https://mymodernmet.com/10-best-contemporary-street-photographers/ (Accessed: 20/04/2022)

Lorraine (2021) The Best Street Photographer in Portugal – Rui Palha (His Photography World and Tips). Available at: https://mirrorlesshow.com/best-street-photography-in-portugal/ (Accessed: 20/04/2022)

Image Reference

Figure 1 and Figure 2 

Palha, R. (N.D.) Underground. Available at: https://www.ruipalha.com/Galleries/Underground/ (Accessed: 20/04/2022)