Griselda Duch
Griselda Duch
Griselda is a photographer (@griseldaduch) from Barcelona.
Tell us a little about who you are.
My name is Griselda, I'm 30 years old and currently based in Barcelona.
After completing my studies and receiving a diploma in tourism from the University of Barcelona, I started working in the field of Arts and Culture. After working in different museums, I started to route my work in the tourism sector - involving jobs in hotels, airports, and similar places. I am currently doing that while balancing with my photography.
Have you lived in Barcelona your whole life? How do you think the city impacts you and your work?
Well, I am originally from a beautiful little town near Barcelona called Seva.
This is my tenth year living and working in Barcelona city, and for much longer, I wish.
To be honest, Barcelona is a city in which I feel comfortable. I think every city has its charm, and also its pros and cons.
Living in Barcelona, or somewhere else, it’s all about adapting to the city’s movement and rhythm. This is what, I guess, impacts me more, the fact that you’re living in a city in which you have a lot of greater things to do, and to learn.
Have you traveled outside of Barcelona much? If so, how do you find it compared to other places?
I’ve been around Europe in different countries like the UK, France, Italy… but I can’t compare Barcelona to other cities. I believe every place has its magic. Furthermore, I would definitely say that I prefer Barcelona’s weather to any other. Barcelona has that Mediterranean climate. It's so sunny, so smooth… so unique.
I find Barcelona a charming city, with a charming vibe that it makes you feel so familiar.
And where do you want to go next, either to shoot or just visit or both?
I am planning to visit Iceland in the near future. Could be great!
When did you get started in photography?
Photography came straight to me long ago, in my childhood. I’ve been around photography thanks to my Dad, who was the one who introduced and definitely got me interested in it. However, I started to take photography rather personal at the end of 2011.
You just self-published a book last month called The Look, which covers photos from 2012 to 2017. Tell us about the reason behind wanting to do that and what the book is about.
I'm happy to talk a little about my self-published book and for the fact of publishing my first-ever book. As I mentioned, it was since around 2012 that I've considered photography as something more than just a hobby. After collecting and grouping photographs from earlier times (trips, cities, people, moments), I decided to make a selection and create my own book.
I don't even know if it was a risky decision, but I think it was worth it after publishing it. The main reason behind publishing “The Look” was the passion I have for photography - which, I believe, will last forever.
Transmitting my photography to others and having different opinions about my work, is a thing I really hope to happen from the book. Through “The Look” I am expressing myself in a deeper meaning. Furthermore, I might add that I’ve always wanted to have part of my photographic work in a printed edition.
Mostly you shoot a mix of still life, landscape, and architecture. What fascinates you most about these subjects?
The fact that you are capturing a moment that’s gone forever.
With landscape or nature photography, in contrast to portrait or fashion photography, you have a lot of options to play with. It comes in a variety of styles, and encompasses a great deal of the scene. Maybe what fascinates me most is the naturalness of the atmosphere. You can’t modify the naturalness of a velvety sky, or of a foggy mountain. It comes by itself. And this mesmerizes me.
Your work tends to be minimal in style, regardless of what you’re shooting. Would you say this is a conscious or subconscious decision? Or a little of both?
It started as a totally unconscious thing, and it ended up being conscious. So I would say a bit of both. I tend to shoot landscapes with a minimal background, as the sky or the horizon (in the case of seascapes), because I believe it gives it a more bucolic and poetic look. Thus, it's a way of reflecting a feeling and an idea. But I think it is definitely a matter of taste.
Who are some of your photography inspirations?
I am truly fascinated by LA 60’s-70’s American color photography.
To mention some of my inspirations would be photographers Stephen Shore, Joel Meyerowitz, William Eggleston, all of whom pioneered the use of color in photography. In any case, I am inspired by many photographers and a branch of young people who are doing great stuff.
What do you hope to achieve with your work?
Mainly, I would love my work to be a source of inspiration to other people. And basically what I want to achieve is to be able to publish more books, make prints, exhibitions, and keep working, learning, and enjoying my passion for photography. That’s it!
See more of Griselda's work at www.griseldaduch.com or instagram.com/griseldaduch
Q&A by Jack Sommer