Judith: a passion for photography (+ Photos)

Dawn. (Photos: Judith LLanio)

Judith Llanio is a radio speaker in the Stations Radio Taíno and Radio Progreso, both with national range; the main broadcasting stations are in Havana, but as it usually happens to all artists, only one job never satisfies them; that is why she is a photograph lover. When we talked with her, we learned that she is a fan of photography. We tried to know more about her exploration in the art of catching images with her camera.

First of all, I would like you to tell me how came about in you the fondness for photography.

´´I consider me as a dreamer through the lens. From the first time I had the opportunity to touch a camera that was just during my childhood. My mother used to take very good snapshots. I refer only to family pictures. And I used to play with the cameras we had at home, among them a Lubitel.´´

´´My mother had habilitated a money-box for me. The cameras Zenith had just entered the country, from the Soviet Union. I wanted to buy one for myself. Then she completed the money, and in this way, I had my first apparatus, say, something most similar to a professional camera.´´

´´I was about to finish my university career, in 1989 or 1990, when by means of a friendship, I got to the Union of Cuban Journalists, where I began to participate in a course on photography, in charge of Félix Arencibia, who was, main professor as I have the good fortune to receive classes from great artists of image; such as Alberto Korda, whom Arencibia invited in accordance with the theme to be taught.´´

´´I practically became the shadow… in the negative of Félix Arencibia; I never lost a single occasion to take pictures with my camera. He opened many doors to me, and allowed me to be in many places, even doing films making of, made in that epoch.´´

´´However, during those times I never made an exposition, because photography is not a cheap pastime. Cameras are expensive; likewise happens with the impression and photo- montage. In order to have self-financing for all those expenses, I started making photos of wedding parties, birthdays of coming-of-age parties, and of whatever event I was invited.´´

´´When the digital revolution invaded the world, I had a good machine, a Nikkon F – 80, partly electronic, but I could not make digital photos, and did not have a computer. So, I saw myself paralyzed. For more than ten years I could not touch a camera, but life goes on rolling, and little cameras began to fall on my hands. I continued without a computer to end up the digital process; therefore, I had to accept what I had.´´

.´´Around five years ago, a digital camera got to my hands again. By that time, I had already a computer; therefore, I started studying again, this time by myself, to be updated in concepts and to learn to use certain tools that I did not know.´´

´´Although I keep on being attached to classical photography, it is always necessary certain touching-ups to images, either in glow, in contrast…I do not do big transformations with the so-called Photo Shop, although I have dedicated long hours to the computer, as it is indispensable to master the technique, because you cannot flow, you cannot have a real artistic creation if you do not master your instrument.´´

Which are the themes you prefer to photograph?

´´Those themes related to society, I also like those that have to do with nature. I collaborate with the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation of Nature and Man, and with the National Park Alejandro de Humboldt of the Province of Guantánamo. For that, I visit Baracoa frequently. Other photographers who also travel throughout the country, do their work in intricate places.

´´I am engaged in the inventory of sea species that is being carried out in that zone. It is the first one to be celebrated in the easternmost region of Cuba. That has permitted me to get to unknown places of the insular geography; get inside communities to where few people go. That fact, places me in a position – I dare to say – of certain advantage, regarding other photographers who also travel throughout the country, and do jobs in intricate places.´´

´´It is the part of this work that fascinates me, because I enjoy visiting Baracoa and take photos of those people that so spontaneously allow me to enter their lives through the lens; as well as, the wonderful sites that this region gift to you, the mountainous complex Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa, the Cuchillas del Toa, landscapes of which I live in love with.´´

´´Then, it gives me photos; it puts them exactly there in front of the lens. But also the little things, because I not only take photos of the large environments, but also of the mushrooms born on the plants, the insects, the flowers.´´

´´Moreover, I was born in Havana. I can not renounce to make photos of this city where I live, that I suffer, that gives me joys, and gives me images constantly.´´

Have you already taken part in some exposition or contest?

´´Yes, at the beginning of my career, I had only participated in a collective sample. Last year, I was part of another exposition, of same type, as a result of the expedition to Salto Fino, in the Toa River, with the Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation. The images were exposed in electronic format in a center of the Historian´s Office of Havana.´´

´´Recently, I had the opportunity of making a small personal sample, together with a chat, in the United States. It was something grateful, as the images from Cuba bring about much interest, and are welcomed in that nation.´´

What are your projects for the future?

´The most immediate is for June, 2017, a personal sample in the Municipal Art Gallery of Havana Center.´´

How do you foresee your future as a photographer?

´´There are always many difficulties. It is complicated to have a photo-montage although it might be austere, yet, it should be honorable, and above all, creative. However, I feel optimistic, I have many plans, many ideas; I dedicate much time to images. First of all, I take them; later on, I process them, and think of the projects. Afterwards, I put them under my arm, and knock at all doors in front of me…one will always open.´´

´´Then, there is nothing else than to call the attention to institutions and entities to see if they can somehow support, and likewise, to have some benefits with the work of this photographer.´´

Judith Llanio, an artist who does not conform to the appropriate use of her voice, through the radio, and transmits emotions by means of images, as well.