De vieja quiero ser asi | Marta Martin
I'm Marta although I prefer to be known as Yanosvemos. I'm a documentary photographer and despite being born in a very small city in the north of Spain I decided to develop my life as a photographer in Barcelona, where I've been living for 4 years. In my photography the most ordinary things in life and the people around me are the protagonists, looking for those simple things can become the greatest things in life.
About Marta
Favorite thing to do besides photography or design?
I am a very active person and I love to absorb the positive energy around me, which is very important to me. Although taking photos is what I've enjoyed doing for more than 10 years, I'm very happy reading, drinking coffee, taking a trip, even if it's to a nearby town, and exploring everything around me. I am happy doing the most mundane things there are and I think that is also reflected in my photography. I think happiness is found in those simple things.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I am not a person who needs a big city or a big country or something far away from home. When I imagined myself as a photographer, I always saw myself on a typical New York street with a camera in my hand. It is a place where I could live for a few months, I don't think for a long time because the truth is that I think the quality of life in Spain is superior to the one in the Big Apple, so I can say that I am living in the best place where I could live being the way I am: Barcelona.
Describe your work in three words.
Light, life, love
Favorite quote?
Never give up. My mother always told me that I could cry, I could be sad, I could fall, but never give up. That is my life motto and thanks to it I have achieved everything I have set out to do since I was a little girl, which has led me to change my life and fight for what I loved to do most in the world and what will keep me going when life is not so beautiful.
About Marta’s Work
When and how did your journey as an artist begin?
I started taking pictures when my father gave me my first reflex at 18. Since then I have never stopped. I studied law because at that time I was not aware of my "talent" and that my biggest hobby could become my profession. When I graduated I knew it was time to do it. I moved from my small town in the north of Spain to Barcelona where I deepened my knowledge of photography studying in a school, Contemporary Photography and Documentary Photography in which I decided to specialize my work.
What artists in your field have influenced your work?
Vivian Maier is my favorite photographer. I feel very identified with her, not only for her way of looking but also for many personal issues. I think that's why I feel I have a special affection for her. Martin Parr is another one I admire. Many people tell me that I look like him, although the truth is that even if two people do the same thing, there will always be something that differentiates them. I think that's one of the most beautiful things that photography can teach you. Each person is a unique being who totally demonstrates her personality when taking a photograph.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
If I had to make a summary of the things that most characterize my photography it would be: bright, vivid colors, importance of details, spontaneous gestures and static framing.
What general process do you undergo to produce your work?
When I start a project there is always something that I already have in my mind because I have been thinking about it for several days. Sometimes I am not very clear about what I want but I analyze where that thought comes from and what I want to say. I let myself go and start taking pictures. I'm not a person who ties everything up before I start taking pictures and I think that's a trait of my essence. I start and from there I decide where I'm going.
About De vieja quiero ser asi
Describe this project and what inspired you.
De vieja quiero ser así talks about life and also about death. Ever since I was a little girl I have thought a lot about death. So old age and how we live it is something that also concerned me because we have always seen that it is a sad time and that older people are also sad. This project focuses on the good part of old age, how joy and enthusiasm can prevail over all the bad things that life gives us if you choose to do so. These people are an example and have shown me that things are what you want them to be.
Describe the process in undertaking this topic.
The project was carried out in Barcelona. As I wanted to talk about people who enjoyed life, I looked for Social Centers that the city has for people in each neighborhood to do gymnastics, workshops, activities, excursions or just have a coffee with friends while chatting. I managed to get one of them to let me enter and take pictures, the one in front of the beach, which was attended mostly by fishing families and people who had always lived in that neighborhood, very jovial and eager to live. From that moment on I took pictures every day and for many months, I became friends with them and the result was this.
Describe any hardships or challenges leading to the project and how you were able to overcome it to capture what you have envisioned.
The problem with this project is that these centers are regulated by the City Council and it's very difficult to take pictures because there are many image rights that could not be violated. In fact, I took the photos without having the consent although the Director of the center authorized me without being able to say that the photos were taken there. I contacted 65 centers and only one of them had no problem with my daily attendance. So this project is very important for me, not only because of the subject I deal with, but also because there have been many procedures and a lot of previous work to achieve it.