Hello Juan Francisco Pagan and Welcome to Famost magazine in this pose, different from how we know you! First, tell us how your passion for photography was born.
Hi dear friends, first and if you allow me, I wanted to thank you for having thought of me as someone who could contribute something interesting to the dear readers of Famost Magazine.
Well, my passion for photography arose from a young age due to my interest in immortalizing all possible moments.
When did you take your first photo? How long have you been taking pictures?
I took my first photos when I was about 10 years old … come on … in prehistory … (ha ha ha…)
what was the first camera that Juan Francisco Pagan bought? What was it like when you first felt it in your hand? Were you excited?
My first camera was a Kodak with 110 film cartridges, that is, a negative much smaller than 35 mm and which gave terrible quality.
It wasn’t until I was 19 years old when I was able to buy my first 35mm SLR camera with the money saved. It was then the moment where I was able to truly develop my artistic concerns. That was an analog era (digital did not exist) where everything was handmade, from developing the film roll to printing the photograph on paper in the darkroom. In my opinion that was authentic photography, dipping the white paper into the developing tray and watching an image appear out of nowhere. Pure magic!!!
What were the first photos you took? Were they landscapes from nature, friends or did you go straight into serious things?
At first and as you can imagine, they were photos of everyday life, family gatherings, excursions, etc. But always photographs where people were the protagonists.
What is your main job? What are your studies?
My studies and work are related to the world of finance.
How do you manage to combine your basic job and photography?
My work is always the main thing and photography fits into the vacation periods I have. Therefore my vacations are usually family photography experiences.
What type of photography Juan Francisco Pagan love the most? Fashion presentations, editorials, beauty, commercial, nature, family events …?
I really like black and white photography for portraits and street photography, as I believe that this allows us to see people’s souls better. For the world of fashion we need color to be able to faithfully convey the proposals that designers make to us in each collection.
Many of the photos taken by you are in the field of fashion. Do you like fashion? Do you have favorite fashion designers?
I really like the world of fashion and at home, where I am surrounded by women, they love it too. Therefore, it is not difficult to plan with your family to attend fashion shows.
I like many designers, in general I like everything that is made with love and good taste. Among the international Top I would highlight Armani, Versace and Dior. In Spain we also have great designers, such as Isabel Sanchis, Custo Barcelona, Dolores Cortes, Hannibal Laguna, Teresa Helbig and Modesto Lomba, among many others.
Considering the experience in the field of photography, what is more important for a successful photo: the camera or the photographer? Can you manage to take great photos with a less professional camera?
Without a doubt the photographer is the most important thing, although the camera, in certain situations as well, but to a lesser extent. It’s like in a car race where the one with the fastest car doesn’t have to win, but rather the one with the most driving skills.
What do you like most about the whole process of taking a photo: the actual shooting or the post-processing?
In today’s digital world where the development of a photo is not done in a dark room with an enlarger but on a computer, the value of the photographer decreases in favor of the computer scientist or graphic retoucher.
I am a photographer, not a computer scientist. Therefore the answer is that I prefer taking the photo.
From point of view of Juan Francisco Pagan, what are the most important elements for a photo to be successful?
Assuming that a photo has to have a correct photographic technique and composition, the key is in the emotion that that photograph transmits. It is the message that you want to convey that leads the viewer to stop and observe and enjoy that image.
How important is the processing of a photo today so that the final result is a good one?
In the world of fashion, processing is very important. Any fashion editorial created from a collection for subsequent publication in a magazine or media must be carefully detailed.
Do you think that the appearance of the latest generation phones that take good photos has affected the profession of photographer? Does it jeopardize professional photography?
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You can read the entire interview with Juan Francisco Pagan in the March 2024 edition of Famost magazine by accessing this link.
Main photo : Jesus Mora JM2 Photo
