LomoGuru of the Week: Guanatos

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Reliving moments through film photography — that’s one of the perks Lomography has according to this week’s LomoGuru. To be able to capture smiles and moments, and look back at them years or even decades from now.

Aside from this, the friendship and hospitality the Community gives is another huge point. Along with that are the lovely Lomographs he takes and sees. With no further introduction, let’s welcome this week’s LomoGuru, guanatos!

Credits: guanatos

Name: Mario Alberto Ferrer Méndez
Lomography Username: guanatos
Location: Barcelona, Spain but originally from Guadalajara, Mexico
Number of years as a Lomographer: 5
Number of years in the Community: 3

Tell us something about your LomoHome’s name.

I didn’t use my real name [for my LomoHome] because I think it’s kind of “soap operish”: Mario Alberto.

My username, “guanatos," came from a nickname given to my hometown Guadalajara by the tapatios or the people who live in the city. To be honest, it was the first thing that popped into my head and it was available. Not that magical I guess.

If I could change it, I guess I would go for “QueOndaGüero” like on the Beck song. “Güero” is what we call blonde people in Mexico, and that’s what my family calls me since I was a little kid.

Share to us your most memorable experience in the Lomographic Community.

I’ve had several great experiences since I’ve been part of this Community, but if I have to pick just one, I would definitely say the LomoKino Premiere last year in Madrid. I was nominated for the best amateur short film with two of my LomoKino movies: Beka and Mexican Standoff and I got to see them on a movie theatre on a huge screen. It was such a rush, I can’t even explain the joy… So once again, I want to thank the Lomography Spain team for making it happen.

Even though I didn’t win, I had a great time and got to meet great Lomographers from all over Spain and some parts of Europe.

Popular Lomographs from guanatos’ LomoHome.

Have you actually met people in the Community that you now consider as close friends?

I’ve met wonderful people who shares the “LomoLove” and this has been thanks to the awesome Community here in Spain. I’ve joined a group called Analogico Mola Más (it roughly means “Analogue is cooler”) here in Barcelona. We try to meet at least once a month just for the sake of having a good time, and taking our cameras out for a stroll. It’s great to be able to share good times with all them.

Do you think you’ll still be taking Lomographs in the next 5 years? Why?

I really do, I carry a camera everywhere I go. I guess I’ve developed a habit now… Besides, I would love to be able to sit down five years from now and relive great moments on those Lomographs with a big smile.

Credits: guanatos

What is your favorite Lomo camera and why? Do you have any memorable experiences while using this camera?

I have to say the Spinner 360º. It just blew my mind from the first time I used it. I love the fact that it’s completely mechanical and the faces people make when it spins and they realize they’ve just been captured on film — priceless!

Every time I take the camera out, people stop on their tracks and ask me “What the hell is that?”. When I took it to the carnival in Sitges, a whole parade car asked me to take a picture of them, it was really fun!

Credits: guanatos

Please share your most favourite Lomographic photo that you took.

I guess this is my [most] favourite Lomographic moment of all!

Credits: guanatos

We celebrated an unbirthday party at a park in Barcelona (worthy of Alice in Wonderland) with my friends from Analógico Mola Más. It was real fun! And now every time I look at this Lomograph, I remember that day and smile. At the end, that’s what a good Lomograph should do, make you relive and smile.

Please share a Lomograph you wish you took and explain why.

I absolutely love this Lomograph by bccbarbosa. He’s amazing! He’s able to take the most ordinary things and make them look extraordinary. I’m a big fan.

Credits: bccbarbosa

What’s the best Lomographic or photography advice you think you have given?

Be patient! We live in a world where people expect instant gratification, and when it comes to shooting film, the key (in my opinion) is to be patient and keep shooting. Or as the great Henri Cartier-Bresson used to say: “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.”

If there’s one song or movie that best describes your Lomo life, what is that and why?

Yes! My Lomo Life has been defined by what I like to call “happy accidents." These are moments where I’ve totally failed at what I was hoping to achieve with my Lomographs and discovered something new I could try the next time. So when I get really annoyed at myself for not being careful or making silly mistakes, I start whistling the tune "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from Monty Python’s the “Life of Brian” and laugh at myself and think “Next time you’ll get it right."

Is there any advice you can give to new analogue shooters?

The best advice I can give to someone who wants to take on analogue photography is to be patient and keep a positive attitude. Don’t be afraid to ask around what you don’t know… There are tons of people on the Lomography Community worldwide more than eager to help out. Trust me, we’ve all been there and we’ve all survived the first terrifying results. ;)

Credits: guanatos

Do you think you’re qualified as a LomoGuru? Got something to share in our Community? Then drop me a line at mayee.gonzales@lomography.com and you might become the next LomoGuru!

Scritto da mayeemayee il 2013-04-21 in #videos #lifestyle #guanatos #community #lomoguru

8 Commenti

  1. sobetion
    sobetion ·

    nice interview my friend @guanatos :D

  2. koduckgirl
    koduckgirl ·

    love these portraits of my lomofriends great job @guanatos!

  3. adi_totp
    adi_totp ·

    congraaaaats :D

  4. guanatos
    guanatos ·

    thanks a bunch @mayeemayee for the interview

    Thank you too @sobetion @koduckgirl and @adi_totp for the nice comments :)

  5. mayeemayee
    mayeemayee ·

    Thank you very much too, @guanatos! :D

  6. susielomovitz
    susielomovitz ·

    #muyfandeguanatos

  7. guanatos
    guanatos ·

    @susielomovitz y yo #muyfan de usté :) gracias srita

  8. stouf
    stouf ·

    @guanatos Bravo! : )

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