Fausti
Rosario
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
Fausti
Rosario
Meet FAUSTI ROSARIO. I met this amazing photographer during one of my NYC interview excursions.
I spotted Fausti
taking
photos of
street per-
formers in
the
dle
mid-
Central
Park.
of I
stood back watching the artists – the photographer and the dancers in action. Read my interview with Fausti and check out his stunning portfolio.
Paper+Ink Freelance Writer, Mary Gonzales
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
INTERV Q: Your photography captures LIFE. I love what you capture. Tell me about your perspective when you find a good picture to take.
A: People love familiarity and try to connect these instances of life to their own. Even if what’s being photographed has nothing to do with their lives at all. By creating feeling through photographs your ability to connect with the viewer becomes a fundamental part of the process. Q: How did you choose people as your subjects, rather than landscaping, still shots, inanimate objects? A: It’s not the easiest task but I love photographing people because it’s personal and engaging. Meeting new people as you go and learning about their lives allows you to develop your social skills. I do sometimes photograph landscape and scenery but it’s mostly to compliment the environment that people inhabit. Q: I understand you’re working on a book, correct? What is about, when can we purchase it? And what made you choose to put a book together? A: The book I’m working on is still in progress; it’s called Sin Color. In Spanish the meaning translates as ‘no color’. There’s a lot of work that goes into making a book so I’m taking my time to make it right. As of now this book contains black and white portrait photographs that I’ve taken in the past three years.
Q: Are you a full-time photographer? Would you share with me about the challenges, if any, of being a photographer as a living? A: I was never a full time photographer but I am in the process of transitioning into it full-
Fausti
Rosario
time. I worked for a catering company for 13 years and as of this summer I went part-time. This transition into part time allows me to focus more on my projects and other facets of life. Q: What do you HATE about photography? Ok...better question, what do you LOVE most about photography? A: What I love about photography now is that it’s widely accessible and anyone can create their own business fairly easy. With the online tools that we have the possibilities are endless. What I hate is when someone compliments the camera not the photographer, for instance when they see an amazing photograph they immediately say it’s that camera that takes great pictures. I find that funny. Q: As a photographer, especially for someone who photographs people, one of the things that go with the territory is approaching people. Were you always comfortable with that or do you ever feel intimated? Did anyone ever give you a hard time and/or punch you in the face? Just kidding, but did you ever anger anyone? A: After photographing people for a few years you kind of know how to approach each situation. My secret is to be honest. People appreciate honesty. You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to be photographed. Sometimes you need to engage in some kind of conversation to make the subject feel more comfortable with the situation. If someone seems uptight or refuses the photo opportunity, I just say thanks and keep on walking.
Q: What was the DEFINING moment of when you realized you had this passion? Or, when did you come to the realization or HOW did you
VIEW come to the realization? A: I felt a true passion for photography when I started shooting with a film camera a few years ago. Shooting film vs. digital forces you to take your time with the photograph and your subject. There is more time considered for composition, changing film, focus etc. It’s a slightly deeper approach which is more involving so you kind of get to fall in love with the process. More expensive as well. Q: What is your camera of choice? A: Right now I’m shooting a Digital Leica M-E, but I made some of my best portraits with an old Bronica SQA-i film camera. Q: Can you share one camera technique? A: Just get to know your camera settings and outdoor situation as much as possible which means know how to use available light. I mostly shoot outdoors and on location. I rarely shoot in a studio because I feel too closed in and somewhat limited and boring unless what I’m photographing is extremely interesting. Q: In addition to the book, are there any other projects in the works? A: Some of my close friends and I have a project in the works where we look for artists in the Bronx and document their work, lifestyle, and story.
pects of life. My goal is to project that through my work even the small details (business card). The color palette I chose for the card was red, green and white. I’m more visual than anything else so I concentrated on drawing the viewer with colors that really stand out. I also kept the color palette down to just three colors for consistency. I kept the font clean and simple with basic information and a good sense of negative space. The image I chose for the card provokes some kind of humor, two women tanning on a green lawn with red shorts. The goal for my card was to bridge any awkward space and gain some kind of trust by making someone smile. Q: I understand you studied photography on your own…can you expand on that? For example, did you learn a lot on-line, night classes, or… A: It’s as simple as picking up a camera a photographing everything that surrounds you. You have to really want to learn the process. It takes time and a bunch of mistakes. Online YouTube videos help to give you an idea of to go about doing something. But nothing beats the actual experience. I rather be outdoors with my camera for whole day learning through trial and error than sitting watching some tutorials all day. Just go out and shoot and always carry a camera. Paper+Ink Freelance Writer, Mary Gonzales www.paperandinkproject.wordpress.com
Q: One of the things that intrigued me about you is your business card. The simplicity, the intimacy, the vast green lawn, the red suits. How did you choose that for your cards, as reflection of who you are and what you do? A: Yes, the card does somewhat reflect my lifestyle. I see myself as a minimalist in many as-
www.paperandinkproject.wordpress.com w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
Fausti
Rosario
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
Fausti
Rosario
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
Fausti
Rosario
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
Fausti
Rosario
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
Fausti
Rosario
“My secret is to be honest.“ fausti rosari
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
Fausti
Rosario
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
Fausti
Rosario
about
Fausti Rosario is a self taught Bronx based photographer who is passionate about self expression and art through photography. He was Born in 1982 in Cotui-Dominican Republic and immigrated to New York with his family when he was three. While trying to find his path in life, an introduction to photography in 2007 awoke his creative eye. Inspired by internal beauty and intimacy, Fausti documents the intimate and co-existing worlds of people and city life. Picture and Caption Credit: www.faustirosario.com/about
w w w. f a u s t i r o s a r i o . c o m
F
FAUSTI ROSARIO Photographer
w w w.fa u s t i ro s a r i o . c o m