An Exclusive Interview with Oscar Garcia

Oscar Garcia was born in Mexico City in the late 50’s, lived in Guadalajara, grew up in a large family of 7 kids. Married with a wonderful woman from the Northwestern Mexican state of Sonora, has three beautiful and intelligent children, all of them with a great eye for photography. He went to college in Mexico City to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering and fulfill his passion for Mineralogy, and earth sciences. Nevertheless, this passion for minerals is now just an expensive hobby for him. The family immigrated to the USA back in 1989 to work for an American manufacturer of petroleum equipment, same field Oscar has been ever since. His career has sent him to 32 countries so far, as an international area sales manager with more focus in Latin America in the past 10 years.

In this “Exclusive Interview” section, today we have the opportunity to talk with Oscar Garcia, as his photograph was winner of Photo of the Month – 49th Month, 3rd Place. Let’s discover more about Oscar Garcia, and his forays into photography in the following interview with him.

An Exclusive Interview with Tisha Clinkenbeard

An Exclusive Interview with Oscar Garcia, winner of Photo of the Month – 49th Month, 3rd Place.

Light & Composition: Greetings from Light & Composition, Oscar. How does it feel being selected as the winner of Photo of the Month, 49th Month, 3rd Place?

Oscar Garcia: I feel terrific, it seems like it is worth it to capture a “Kodak moment” and that someone in the world appreciate the work done.

L&C: Your photographs “Brave Cliff Divers Area” was selected as Photo of the Month, is a wonderful Travel Photography with artistic perspective, correct lighting, and very well presented. Overall, a great composition! Tell us more about your experience of taking this photograph.

Oscar: The “Quebrada in Acapulco” is a worldwide known area, as it has been a theme of films, and also postcards. When the sun is shining and the sky is blue, the contrast of colors is amazing. Having a camera and capture the scenery it is a great feeling. Remembering seeing the picture is to live again that moment.

Brave Cliff Divers Area, by Oscar Garcia

L&C: Besides this winning photograph, many people liked and voted for other photographs of yours in the Photo of the Month contest. You must be proud. How do you see your journey to the world of photography so far?

Oscar: I started my journey of photography at least 30 years ago. Having people vote for my pictures it makes me happy to be connected through photography, we unite the world this pacific way.

L&C: As we know, you are from the city of Guadalajara in Mexico. Do you think the rich diverse cultural and artistic heritage of Mexico portrayed a different essence to you?

Oscar: It sure the place I grew up in made an impact in my life. Sometimes I would like to travel in space and go back to get those memories still lingering in my mind, such as the “The hill of the Four” in Guadalajara, way before it got crowded with houses. The old cars, and double deck buses that travel from many different cities within Mexico, etc. The heritage and the culture in pictures is like a treasure.

L&C: Do you like a particular genre of photography and if so, why?

Oscar: I love to photograph landscapes, skylines, the sea, the clouds, views from an airplane, the airplane itself, etc. Sometimes a flower, minerals, etc etc. Life is full of color. My specialty for some reason is not people, I would like to master that genre as well.

L&C: One of the keys to any style of photography is visualization. Please tell us how you started this process and what you did afterwards.

Oscar: I believe that Mother Nature is our best giver for a photographer. Even at night to watch a crescent moon. With the right settings, and a 300 mm or more you can get the magnificence of our satellite.

L&C: Have you ever exhibited your work? If so, then tell us about your first exhibiting experience.

Oscar: My only experience exhibiting my work is through my blog http://www.oscarelmexicanopics.blogspot.com I sometimes talk about it in twitter (@ogshelly) it or in Facebook. I’d love to share with any of the great photographers of Light & Composition to do a joined excibition in an Art Gallery or something like that. I am open!

L&C: Are you involved with any photography organizations? How does this help you in your photography?

Oscar: Light & Composition is my first involvement with a photography organization, and I am very happy that my work has been widely praised and accepted. Thanks!

L&C: What advice would you give our readers who want to take part in the journey around the world with photography?

Oscar: I think that all of us have an eye for photography. Make sure your pictures make sense, and there is alignment, unless the picture is purposely skewed. Other than that, have fun and take lots of pictures, nowadays in the digital era is almost hassle free.

L&C: Thank you, Oscar, for sharing your feelings and experiences with us.