My name is Marlon Iraheta, I’m 36 years old. I was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and from Salvadorian nationality. I speak Spanish, French and English. I graduated from Concordia University in 2004 with a bachelor in Sociology. I work full time as an intermediate caregiver for a facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. I’m a husband, a father of a young boy and I love to take photographs.
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| © Marlon Iraheta |
Marlon Iraheta, what got you involved in photography?
I started to manipulate a digital camera in 2011. I have always liked photojournalism and being out there in the public domain hunting for interesting subjects to be captured. Then for fun and to experiment, I started to discover the origins of photography by going back to basics with traditional film photography. The curiosity and the fun aspect got me involved and now I’m a regular film photographer enthusiast. I develop my black and white films myself as well as color film. I practice primarily street photography and photojournalism.
What are the main themes you tackle on your photographs? Why?
Being a street photographer, I solely engage with the human aspect. I like to be out there trying to search for that particular photograph depicting the human condition in its most candid way. The look of people’s faces and body language is something that attracts me, along with whatever other object that the person has with her or him. The beauty of street photography is that this genre of art, is very hard to practice, everyday the streets of Montreal challenges me to be better at what I do. It’s important to make clear that I’m not a pro photographer and do not wish to be one. I prefer the term, artist, as I’m always learning by trial and error. I enjoy street photography because I create my own photos, in the end it doesn’t matter if the frame is blurred or out of focus. The pictures I take, are always personal and for me. If someone likes my work and enjoys the artistic style it conveys, even better.
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| © Marlon Iraheta |
Can you talk a little bit about your influences?
There are many street photographers who have influenced me and still continue to teach me about this street art. Daido Moriyama is a Japanese photographer and his contemporary style is very much appealing to me. Mr. Bruce Gilden, is someone I also admire. His street photography and in your face style is something I haven’t put into practice but has surely motivated me to understand that 95% of the time people don’t mind being photographed. Being up close and more personal in the most candid way is something Mr. Gilden tackles very well, and is a learning process in my journey as a street photographer. My most influential photographer has to be Mr. Vladimir Milivojevich, also known as “Boogie”. His documentary and portrait photographs of people just blows my mind. To be able to capture drug dealers and junkies and their everyday life, and infiltrate that personal barrier and spend days and hours around such hostile environment, is work that needs to be recognize.
There are many street photographers who have influenced me and still continue to teach me about this street art. Daido Moriyama is a Japanese photographer and his contemporary style is very much appealing to me. Mr. Bruce Gilden, is someone I also admire. His street photography and in your face style is something I haven’t put into practice but has surely motivated me to understand that 95% of the time people don’t mind being photographed. Being up close and more personal in the most candid way is something Mr. Gilden tackles very well, and is a learning process in my journey as a street photographer. My most influential photographer has to be Mr. Vladimir Milivojevich, also known as “Boogie”. His documentary and portrait photographs of people just blows my mind. To be able to capture drug dealers and junkies and their everyday life, and infiltrate that personal barrier and spend days and hours around such hostile environment, is work that needs to be recognize.
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| © Marlon Iraheta |
Do you prefer shooting with film to digital? What is your motivation to use black and white films?
I shoot both but this year I have been exclusively a film photographer. I’m a big fan of black and white film. I find it more appealing and feel it communicates a more personal understanding of the photograph. It is a classic traditional way and helps me understand the light and shadows better. Color can often be distracting and therefore black and white makes me connect and be more emotional with my everyday strangers.
What are your next projects?
This year I intend to spend more time in photographing street portraits of strangers. This is a project that I have started a year ago, and wish to pursue it this summer to its full capacity, so it can finally see daylight into a beautiful print book.
I shoot both but this year I have been exclusively a film photographer. I’m a big fan of black and white film. I find it more appealing and feel it communicates a more personal understanding of the photograph. It is a classic traditional way and helps me understand the light and shadows better. Color can often be distracting and therefore black and white makes me connect and be more emotional with my everyday strangers.
What are your next projects?
This year I intend to spend more time in photographing street portraits of strangers. This is a project that I have started a year ago, and wish to pursue it this summer to its full capacity, so it can finally see daylight into a beautiful print book.
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| © Marlon Iraheta |
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| © Marlon Iraheta |
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| © Marlon Iraheta |
