Portraits and fine art photography by Ramon Jamar
Portraits and fine art photography by Ramon Jamar
40 jpg | up to 1050*1575 | 6.99 MB
40 jpg | up to 1050*1575 | 6.99 MB
Ramon, where did you grow up?
I’m originally from New Jersey, I bounced back and forth between two small towns, Camden and Maple Shade. One city is predominately poor and black and the other predominately middle class and white. These living arrangements opened my eyes to the inequities of America at a very young age.
Most of your work is black and white. Why do you prefer that?
I’ve always loved looking through my grandparents and parents old black and white photographs. I’d sit and imagine what it was like to live in the past. All of my photo books at home are from photographers like Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Robert Frank, and Vivian Maier. I don’t know, I think I’m attracted to simplicity. I feel when you strip away the color, you remove any distractions.
What do you want to capture in your work?
From the first time I’ve picked up a camera for a purpose until today, I’ve asked myself that very question dozens of times. And I’ll probably ask myself that same question another dozen times. But for the most part I want to capture moments somewhere between reality and fantasy.
A lot of your work is very sexy, yet very strong portrait-like at the same time. What fascinates you about the female body?
The female form has been the subject of art for thousands of years. Both men and women alike have chosen a woman as their muse for their art. I’m no different in that perspective. I believe the female body in all forms defines beauty; it provokes passion, energy, and intrigue. Women are truly the goddesses of life.
How do you come upon your models, and when do you feel that you want to work with a specific girl?
In the beginning I’d shoot with people I knew; it’s easy as you work on your eye. I then moved on to using various social media platforms; Instagram, Facebook, Model Mayhem, etc. People would see my work and contact me to shoot. Recently I’ve been working with agencies in Philly and DC. But I enjoy finding people on the street who have an interesting look that I’d like to capture. Having diversity in my work is important to me; it’s a reflection of the world we live in.
A photographer is always on the search for the perfect picture. Do you think something like a perfect picture exist?
I don’t think perfection exists at all; at least in my own personal opinion. What is or what makes a “perfect” photograph is subjective. I don’t seek perfection in any of the images I create. It’s the reason I shoot film; it’s organic, a feeling of imperfection; after all real life isn’t perfect.
And talking of favorite image. Do you have a current fav image, if yes, which one and why?
I don’t think I have a favorite image maybe because I’m so critical of my own work. I don’t have any formal training, high school or college. So I’m always looking at my images and seeing how I can improve.
Usually it´s not the question I ask, but watching your images I am wondering about the technique. They come with so much great contrast and deepness. Can you tell us a bit about your creation process?
I’m a film photographer (mostly medium format which means only 10-12 shots per roll) and I don’t even own a digital camera anymore. Since I shoot mostly b&w film I find myself looking for those transitions of light in a scene. I’m a student of light. That’s why I love shooting film; there is no previews to distract you. It allows you the freedom to focus more on your subject. I experiment with variety of film stocks and developers to find out which film works best for a particular scene.
What pictures are hanging on your wall at home?
This is an awesome question! So I’ve recently started printing my work. I got tired of having my images only live online. They don’t feel real there. So I’ve printed out a few images from my trip to Peru last year. One of my favorite is of this elderly woman sitting on a stoop. I plan to print more of my work over the next few weeks. There is something about holding your own work in your hands.
Where do you see yourself in around 10 years?
Showcasing my work in small galleries and photo books. As much as I love social media and the benefits it offers I want to create work for print only.
I’m originally from New Jersey, I bounced back and forth between two small towns, Camden and Maple Shade. One city is predominately poor and black and the other predominately middle class and white. These living arrangements opened my eyes to the inequities of America at a very young age.
Most of your work is black and white. Why do you prefer that?
I’ve always loved looking through my grandparents and parents old black and white photographs. I’d sit and imagine what it was like to live in the past. All of my photo books at home are from photographers like Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Robert Frank, and Vivian Maier. I don’t know, I think I’m attracted to simplicity. I feel when you strip away the color, you remove any distractions.
What do you want to capture in your work?
From the first time I’ve picked up a camera for a purpose until today, I’ve asked myself that very question dozens of times. And I’ll probably ask myself that same question another dozen times. But for the most part I want to capture moments somewhere between reality and fantasy.
A lot of your work is very sexy, yet very strong portrait-like at the same time. What fascinates you about the female body?
The female form has been the subject of art for thousands of years. Both men and women alike have chosen a woman as their muse for their art. I’m no different in that perspective. I believe the female body in all forms defines beauty; it provokes passion, energy, and intrigue. Women are truly the goddesses of life.
How do you come upon your models, and when do you feel that you want to work with a specific girl?
In the beginning I’d shoot with people I knew; it’s easy as you work on your eye. I then moved on to using various social media platforms; Instagram, Facebook, Model Mayhem, etc. People would see my work and contact me to shoot. Recently I’ve been working with agencies in Philly and DC. But I enjoy finding people on the street who have an interesting look that I’d like to capture. Having diversity in my work is important to me; it’s a reflection of the world we live in.
A photographer is always on the search for the perfect picture. Do you think something like a perfect picture exist?
I don’t think perfection exists at all; at least in my own personal opinion. What is or what makes a “perfect” photograph is subjective. I don’t seek perfection in any of the images I create. It’s the reason I shoot film; it’s organic, a feeling of imperfection; after all real life isn’t perfect.
And talking of favorite image. Do you have a current fav image, if yes, which one and why?
I don’t think I have a favorite image maybe because I’m so critical of my own work. I don’t have any formal training, high school or college. So I’m always looking at my images and seeing how I can improve.
Usually it´s not the question I ask, but watching your images I am wondering about the technique. They come with so much great contrast and deepness. Can you tell us a bit about your creation process?
I’m a film photographer (mostly medium format which means only 10-12 shots per roll) and I don’t even own a digital camera anymore. Since I shoot mostly b&w film I find myself looking for those transitions of light in a scene. I’m a student of light. That’s why I love shooting film; there is no previews to distract you. It allows you the freedom to focus more on your subject. I experiment with variety of film stocks and developers to find out which film works best for a particular scene.
What pictures are hanging on your wall at home?
This is an awesome question! So I’ve recently started printing my work. I got tired of having my images only live online. They don’t feel real there. So I’ve printed out a few images from my trip to Peru last year. One of my favorite is of this elderly woman sitting on a stoop. I plan to print more of my work over the next few weeks. There is something about holding your own work in your hands.
Where do you see yourself in around 10 years?
Showcasing my work in small galleries and photo books. As much as I love social media and the benefits it offers I want to create work for print only.
Portraits and fine art photography by Ramon Jamar
