PYGMALION KARATZAS PRESENTS THE INTEGRAL LENS SERIES #6: RUI PALHA

 

Rui Palha is an amateur photographer from Portugal. Retired from a professional career in the IT area, he now follows his passion for street photography in the tradition of his heroes Robert Capa and Henri Cartier Bresson. His subjects focuses around Lisbon and Portugal urbanscapes with an evident attraction to geometry and the decisive moment. 

 

Photography has been a hobby since he was 14 years of age. Mesmerized by the movement of people and their interaction with the city, he chose this medium as a means of exploring being in this world. We read in one of his interviews: “Photography is a very important part of my space… it is to discover, it is to capture giving flow to what the heart feels and sees in a certain moment, it is being in the street, trying, knowing, learning and, essentially, practicing the freedom of being, of living, of thinking.”

 

His preference to black and white photography follows the concept “no color, no lie”, telling a story without any distracting elements. Using architectural elements to frame and guide the viewer is a characteristic element of this work. Atmospheric conditions is another fascination of his, with rainy conditions being one of his favourite elements. His book ‘Street Photography’ was self-published in 2011 and later received an award from the Portuguese Authors Society. Further exploring the sociological aspects of his work, future projects include photographing in difficult areas in Lisbon.

 

Some street photography tips from Rui Palha include:

– Getting close to your subject, make them the central point of your framing,

– Be casual with your camera, keep it away from your face,

– Do not carry lots of gear,

– Like people, listen and respect them,

– Be bold and courageous.  

 

Find out more on Rui`s website, http://www.ruipalha.com.