Living Stories: Pablo Gaytan’s Immersive Photography Practice
Credit: Pablo Gaytan
Originally from Ottawa, and another incredible alumni of SPAO, Pablo Gaytan is a highly skilled photographer with a variety of experience from fashion photography to documentary style images. His work is emotive and expressive, and his eye for colour enhancement is astounding.
Luckily for Nosy Mag, Pablo volunteered his time and provided thoughtful answers to our questions about his practice and evolving expressive art pieces including his new, self-published book, IDENTITY.
Credit: Pablo Gaytan
Pablo’s love for photography came naturally to him: “In the beginning, I was actively documenting my surroundings and daily happenings.” His approach developed subconsciously as he grew more and more aware that he was “learning how to be in tune with the unfolding of the moments that make up life around us.” Becoming more attuned to his own methods of curation over time, Pablo became a storyteller through images, depicting stories through his controlled and structured curation.
Nowadays, Pablo can be found in Montreal. When asked why he moved, Pablo explained, “I made the move to Montreal to get myself out of the city that made me; to get out of my comfort zone. I knew it was a necessary move for growth.” He continued to detail the stress that comes from finding work. “Ottawa was not able to offer me as much paid work in the creative field of photography,” Pablo elaborated, stating that he had found that Montreal allowed him more creative freedom while on a job.
In our interview I noted that Pablo does a fantastic job capturing the atmosphere of a setting in the freeze frame that is a photograph. I asked what aspects of the atmosphere he takes into account consciously, or perhaps unconsciously, when taking a photo in order to capture the feeling of the concert experience in contrast with his documentary-based photos. He admitted that he doesn’t separate the two experiences through any kind of distinction.
“When I document a scene, I let the moment do the talking. The crowds, the rumbling, the silence, the joy, the peace, and the violence. These elements come together perfectly to form moments that simply unfold in front of me. I follow them instinctively as a person who lives for these moments. That is why I document; to be able to share these experiences through a tangible file or print.”
His methods are enduring from the beginning, as his ability to take in his surroundings through the lens translates through his works. This intuitive skill lends itself to the emotional intensity of his editing.
Credit: Pablo Gaytan
Within his portfolio, Pablo has a selection of black and white photography as well as some vibrant colour shots. When it comes to deciding what images go through this editing process, Pablo explains that he doesn’t believe any photo is “strictly meant to be either black and white or in colour.” He breaks down his thinking, showing that his intuition is one of his strongest assets when it comes to his art.
“Through digital capture we have the luxury of choosing whether we finalize an image as color or monochrome. Sometimes when I plan a project I visualize it as one but by the time that I finish my post production process it has developed into the other. I let the work go into the direction that it wants to go into! I can’t force a vision of color onto something that is screaming to be monochrome, or vice versa.”
Credit: Pablo Gaytan
When it comes to fashion photography, his goals surround the idea of creating a “visual world… inside the frame.” When documenting in fashion photography, Pablo intends to keep the reality that appears around him when he takes the photograph. “It is a contrast between constructed and organic moments of capture,” he notes. His work process is what lends him inspiration, and he finds that pushing his own limits allows him to “go after bigger, brighter, and more explosive captures.” From what he shares on his social media and website, viewers can see how Pablo breaks past any limitations to deliver truly captivating images.
Credit: Pablo Gaytan
Throughout Pablo’s portfolio, specifically seen in his documentary series, there is a narrative of passion and resistance that comes to life. Each image holds a story within, but when seen as part of a series, an overarching experience can be shared between the subjects, photographer, and the viewer. When taking photos, Pablo chases the action, being ever-present in the experience of whatever he’s photographing. His mind is present, regardless of where he is, and his focus is tied to the moments he can capture with his camera. “At that moment the only thing that matters to me is that I follow the action as tightly as possible. Being exactly where I need to be to make the shot happen is what’s most important to me. Naturally this results in a reel of images that narrate the event cohesively,” he explains. His photography is as active as he is when he’s in the field, capturing the images we have the privilege of viewing through our screens.
Pablo’s involvement and fast-acting engagement with his subjects and surroundings have brought new perspectives and captured scenes from prominent historical moments like the Black Lives Matter protests.
“I have always believed in protest and in making sure that the most vulnerable have a voice and my support. My camera didn’t take me to these events, I took my camera to them. Through documentary photography my goal is to immortalize these moments, with hope that we never have to march again in outrage at more inequality.”
When documenting such monumental moments of social justice and uprising there is an inherent element of risk. Pablo, however, admits that he often doesn’t consider the risks in the moment. “Such thinking would just throw me off my focus,” he explains, his attention consistently on the documentation and his practice of capturing emotion and experience through his lens. “A good documentary photographer faces danger through his viewfinder. I am always mentally prepared to be arrested or aggressed by the police. It’s happened before and it will probably happen again,” he admits openly. Pablo speaks or holds space for others authentically through his art. While much of his focus when working is on what is in his surroundings or in the viewfinder of his camera, there is much to explore in terms of his own identity as an artist: the man behind the camera.
Credit: Pablo Gaytan
When speaking about the tether between himself and his work, Pablo admits that he finds his own identity woven into his own growth and development in his field. Through this, he has been able to create incredible pieces like his self-published book, IDENTITY. He notes that it was a goal of his to create a book after his first year at photography college. “With this book I wanted to let myself know that I am cut out to be a working artist, and that I need to keep pushing on no matter what,” he states, a mantra and visual piece to remind him of his accomplishments, and a way to reflect on his success and encourage further growth. The book IDENTITY is an amalgamation of Pablo’s pieces, his best work from the five years that lead up to its publication, brought together into a beautiful, original curation of images. With the incredible book in physical form, Pablo explains, “whenever I am doubting myself I just flip through my book.” Taking a moment to reflect on progress can be powerful and motivating, whether he’s looking over his exquisite photography over the years, or acknowledging his hard work when it comes to self-publishing the book IDENTITY, Pablo has a lot to be proud of in his work.
Creating the book IDENTITY was an amazing process for Pablo to exercise his creative mind, he explains. “The process was the absolute best. I learnt that I love putting together photo books and look forward to the next chance that I get to work on a photo book project,” he raves about his experience, encouraging others to try it too. He even goes as far as to offer his own help to anyone looking for advice. The experience allowed him to examine his work with a critical eye while going through all his shots to include the highlights of his artistic career to that point. “Playing with the dimensions and the pairing of images from one page to the next, it’s such a thrill. It is like playing with a bunch of toys that you have built on memories,” he explains vividly while reminiscing.
Credit: Pablo Gaytan
While reflecting on the past can be nostalgic and lovely, looking to the future can be simultaneously exciting and motivating. When discussing the future of his work, Pablo explains, “I wish to expand mentally and spiritually through my work. That’s basically my goal for anything that I dedicate serious time to. My relationships, my practice, and my disciplines. My goals are to work on bigger projects with bigger productions.” He goes on to discuss his newest adventure in his career, working with makeup artists and stylists on set: “I want to keep pushing those aspects and work with bigger teams to experience the talent of others in my field.” His goals and aspirations for 2021 and onwards are high, exciting, and powerful, but definitely within reach for this talented photographer. “In 2021 and moving forward you can expect a whole lot more explosive expression from my work. I am currently pushing my own limits more than ever before,” Pablo explains at the end of our interview, brewing excitement and anticipation.
Credit: Pablo Gaytan
Pablo’s excitement and enthusiasm for his ever-developing practice is inspiring. His insightful art has the potential to speak volumes to everyone, regardless of age or experiences.. I look forward to seeing how his intuitive craft evolves as he accomplishes his goals, in the photography field and beyond.