We call it the #ICMEETSERIES and thought it would be interesting to find out a bit more about the people behind the disposables. We asked a few IC contributors to tell us a bit about themselves and this is what we got in return…
IC MEET SERIES – Q+A with…
Raquel Candeias
INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE | TUMBLR
Who are you?
Ask me this question in five years.
Where’s home?
Home is in Lisbon, Portugal but my house is in Huddersfield, UK. It’s hard to handle my heart sometimes.
What do you do for a crust?
I’m a Media & popular Culture student in Huddersfield, a blogger and a freelance writer and photographer.
Can you tell us about your creative background?
I started working for online magazines when I was 17. As this was not enough for me, I decided to buy a new “fancy” camera. I had no idea what I was actually doing with it but a week later I had to improvise. I was going to interview a band very last minute so there was no photographer available to come with me. I had to capture a photo for the feature image so I thought, “Why not photograph their gig as well”. That was my first ever experience photographing live music and almost four years later I have my own music website and I have photographed a countless number of gigs and artists. Even though I sometimes feel I still don’t know what I’m doing, I love it.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Just go for it!
What do you do with your free time?
You will find me either in my room, listening to Nick Drake while I go through old magazines and make a collage; or you will me in a coffee shop or a park with people who inspire me.
Tips for making your ideas and dreams come to life…
Ignore what’s around you or what other people might say. I learned that not even the people who love you the most have the right to decide what’s best for you. Just follow your instinct.
What inspires you to shoot film?
The wait. Shooting film has been making me more patient and enjoying the stories more than the photography itself. Sometimes the things that take a little bit a little longer to get will give you a long-term satisfaction.
How did you come to connect with Indisposable Concept?
#disposablecamera on Instagram is my secret. It was one of the first accounts I followed.
How did you find the experience of using the disposable camera? Enjoyable or painful?
Enjoyable for sure! That little box makes me so happy and excited about people, places, food, toilets, everything.
How did it make you feel not being able to see the photos as they were taken and not being able to edit or know what the photos turned out like?
I think it’s not about the photography itself. it’s obviously pretty important but the story behind the reason why I took that picture is more relevant to me. I don’t need to edit a photo when I know the honesty and sincerity of it are real.
Analogue Vs Digital?
Both… I need both in my daily life.
It seems film photography and disposables are making a comeback, why do you think that is?
At festivals, I’m finding a lot of people with disposable cameras. The fact everyone has a smartphone is making the act of photographing lazy: You take a picture; you post it and never look back at it. When it comes to film and disposable cameras, it doesn’t really happen in this way. You’ve got 24 shots and that’s it. You need to choose carefully what you’re going to photograph. It’s challenging and exciting and everyone wants to be part of this experience.
If someone destroyed all the disposable cameras in the world and you had the very last one, what would you capture?
I would capture my favourite places in Lisbon. I’m scared of forgetting how my save place is when I’m away.
What Does 2016 hold for you?
I have a dissertation to write!
How would you describe your photographic style?
My photographic style is a lot focused on the reason why I started photographing with disposable cameras. I look at my pictures as memories and stories. Even if that moment was not that intense there is something special that made me stop and try to get the best shot of it.
Who or what influences you creatively?
? French New Wave: everything about it makes me want to be part of it. That’s why I started making some short and very personal videos for Side Stage Collective.
Where do you find inspiration?
New cultures, people and music are my biggest inspirations. Since I moved to the UK I have been meeting so many different people while discovering a different side of the world. Every single culture inspires me in a different and special way.
What’s the biggest issue facing the world right now?
Capitlaism.
Worry less about….?
Money.
Focus more on….?
What you eat.
5 at 5… (For lack of a better name)
5 photos from history you wish you’d taken…
I don’t have any. I had to experience those moments and years of history first. I don’t know if I would be the person I am today.
5 people you’d like to photograph?
1. Vivian Maier
2. Amy Winehouse
3. Wes Anderson
4. Kevin Morby
5. Léa Seydoux
5 books you wish you’d written?
1. Chronicles of Narnia
5 people you’d invite around for drinks and dinner?
If There was no language barrier: my parents and my best friends.
5 go to songs to get you in the mood?
1. Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
2. Keep you – Wild Belle
3. Long Journey – Allah-Las
4. California Dreamin – The Mamas & The papas
5. Doce – Boogarins