Brooklyn Girl
Interview with Ruben Tomas
Let’s start from the very beginning: how did you get into photography and what had been the trigger, your first great experience in this field?
About nine years ago, I was living in Brussels, Belgium. I took a photography workshop with a teacher who was mostly interested in helping us find our own style, our own visual language. As I worked on different projects, I chose as subjects horses, street photography, cathedrals, and portraits. For me, the trigger was photographing portraits, capturing people with an honest and direct look in their eyes. It captivated me. From then on, I started to photograph in the fashion industry, collaborating with art directors and professionals in this field.
You describe yourself as a photographer working by instinct. What does it mean to you and how would you describe your photographic signature?
To me, working by instinct means finding something interesting in the unexpected. I follow my instinct in each project, listening to my heart. It also depends on the person I am photographing. During a photoshoot I have my own visions of who they are, then I direct them to move toward the images I have in my mind. It’s a personal and creative process between the subject I photograph and my vision, my feelings, and the energy we create together. I would describe my photographic signature as honest, emotional, deep, soulful.
In this photo series you worked with alternative model and burlesque performer Mosh. What is special about her?
Her purity. I’m also captivated by her natural movement. I love the character she has created – when I look at her, I believe that she was born this way. Working with her feels fluid, like we are both in some kind of creative ecstasy.
Mosh has quite a spiked fashion style, kind of pin-up and vintage. Is that somewhat a trend in US?
I think it will always be a trend all over the world. The pin-up and vintage icon is a permanent part of our popular culture and I think it is especially important for women as a reference point for self-expression.
A little while ago you said you’d love to photograph Tilda Swinton one day…. What is so fascinating about her?
Her androgyny, her presence fascinates me. She is like a living sculpture.
Would you agree, if one would say you are more arty than editorial? And in this context, how would you describe your commercial approach?
Yes, I would completely agree. At the same time, I think editorial can be arty.
I understand the importance of focusing on the end product when I’m photographing commercial work, but I naturally emphasize the mysterious in my work.
You seem to prefer black and white – at time also intense colors. How do you set the priorities?
Yes, you are right. I prefer black and white. It is how I express myself through photography. I also like colors, depending on what I photograph. Sometimes a person with blonde hair or tan skin looks better in color to me.
What more is there for you to get a really great picture?
A picture that tells something important to me: realness, honesty, a certain movement that creates deep emotion. I like images that makes me think, that makes me wonder, “What else is happening in that moment?”
