Bored Panda wanted to learn more about the behind-the-scenes process of Andrés' work, so we reached out to the photographer with a few questions. First, Ramos shared how he became inspired to focus on street photography and how his nomadic lifestyle has influenced his approach: “I'd say the spirit of street photography aligns well with my somewhat single-minded personality. It's a discipline that demands significant dedication, combined with an addictive cycle of failure and reward. I enjoy its difficulty, and the sense of event that accompanies every successful shot.
As for the nomadic lifestyle, I’d say it aligns very naturally with street photography, though it does have its pitfalls. I love wandering, exploring cities, and getting lost, which perfectly matches the spirit of street photography. However, it's important not to fall into the travel photography (a rather questionable concept, by the way), where one becomes mesmerized by the exotic nature of visited countries. Street photography is something entirely different.”
When asked about the most unexpected scene the photographer captured during his travels, Andrés responded: “It's hard not to immediately think of the photograph of the boat in Ha Long Bay, which is included in your selection, as it earned several recognitions, and certainly became a milestone in my journey. But to avoid the obvious, I'd rather highlight another image I deeply cherish (also part of your selection): the dreamy girl holding a bouquet of sunflowers on the London Underground, standing amidst passengers completely absorbed in their smartphones.”
We were also curious if there are any specific themes that Andrés finds himself drawn to in his photography. Here’s what we learned: “When I'm out on the streets, my primary trigger is always aesthetic and lighting conditions. Later, when reviewing my photographs, storytelling becomes more significant. Within that storytelling layer, I've noticed an unintentional yet recurring fascination with subjects who seem detached from their surroundings, almost as if caught in some form of illumination or rapture. Besides the two photos I mentioned earlier, this theme appears in other selections of yours, like the girl in Hanoi Cathedral illuminated by a bright white flash, or another I captured in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where a young girl gazes thoughtfully through the mesh of a bouncy castle, as if having just experienced a revelation reminiscent of Plato's cave or a Matrix-like awakening.”
Lastly, Andrés shared with us the biggest lesson he’s learned from photographing on the streets and traveling to new places: “Every place holds something worthy of being photographed. Novelty is just an excuse to keep moving.”
