Pedro Fernández Aguado is commended in the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards with his image 'Arrival'. He was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. He graduated in the History of Art and studied a masters degree in photography. He started working at the Prado museum and now combines his work with his love of photography, specializing mainly in infrared and architectural photos.
'Arrival' will be shown during the 2018 Exhibition at Somerset House, alongside the other winning, shortlisted and commended photographers.
Hi Pedro. Thanks for taking the time to chat. Please introduce yourself and your photography
Hi, first of all, thank you very much for giving this opportunity to show my work. My name is Pedro, I work at the Prado Museo in Madrid, Spain. I'm 37 years old and I am an enthusiast of photography. I try to create photos that catch the eye and let your imagination run wild. That would be my biggest success as a photographer.
Why photography? Do you remember how you first got started
I guess it goes with my nature. What I like the most about photography is the immediacy and the ability to move with total freedom. I prefer not to remember the long hours developing and printing photos in the laboratory, just the creating and the final outcome.
Tell us more about your successful image in this year's competition
Luckily, there are many interesting buildings in Madrid. The church of the selected photo is one of my favorite buildings for its futuristic look and because it has a lot of possible frames. It was really difficult to choose just one. I had to go a few times to find the best conditions and finally, I took a frontal shot, using a wide angle lens to create space and atmosphere.
Tell us what you think goes into making powerful architecture photography?
I love the majesty and plasticity of some contemporary buildings. In my photographs, I try to give that prominence to the building through the point of view and the use of the lens like a wide-angle fisheye. The idea is to enhance all the virtues of the building to capture in 2 dimensions something designed to see it in 3 dimensions.
Talk us through your series of infrared images - how do you think it changes the experience of the viewer?
I think that the vision of the viewer changes completely. This is one of the great strengths of infrared photography. It really gives you the freedom to look at the world with different eyes. You don't need to travel so far to find incredible landscapes. Simply by going outside and taking photos of your environment, you will get amazing results.
Do you have a photographic philosophy?
My philosophy is simply to enjoy the process. I don't try to find the perfect picture. I try to enjoy the landscape, the people and each moment. I think a good picture will be the consequence of these.
Where in the world are you and what's next for you?
My place in the world is with my family, with my children. I hope to travel and see incredible places with them. With regard to photography, I am preparing a series of architectural shots in which people or objects are integrated with some minimalist buildings. I'm also exploring the possibility of making small infrared video clips for my Instagram account.
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worldphoto.org/exhibition
