AN INTERVIEW WITH ANNA BIRET

Anna Biret won 1st Prize in our recent Colors competition with a vibrant street image that judge Thomas Jackson praised as a feast of unexpected connections – “a hilarious study in garish colors, and a meditation on the tension between the natural and the artificial.”

Anna is a photographer who first came to our attention a number of years ago, and one we’ve admired ever since. Keen to know more about her background, approach and philosophy, we put some questions to her…

Dear Anna, congratulations on winning our Colors competition! What did you make of the judges’ comments?

Thank you very much to judge Thomas Jackson for choosing my photo and for his excellent analysis, I can’t say anything else except that I’m very happy.

It’s a stunning image – packed with vibrancy and texture, and, as judge Thomas Jackson put it, “a feats of unexpected connections and a meditation on the tension between the artificial and the natural”. Can you tell us a little bit more about the shot and the circumstances behind it?

I took this photo in Athens in December 2023. It was an ordinary street market. What caught my attention was the color of the lady’s hair, which matched perfectly with the flower stand. I very often compose photos with color. It was only later that I noticed that the lady’s nails were also orange and the photo is very harmonious in color and texture.

You’re a prolific street photographer, who has been recognized by Life Framer several times amongst many other photography outlets – how would you describe your style or modus operandi?

I act very instinctively, I can’t define it, there are moments when something fascinates me and everything turns off, I just follow my instinct. I mainly photograph women, maybe this is due to my profession as a stylist. It doesn’t have to be a beautiful woman, but rather anyone that intrigues me.

I do candid street photography, simplifying the chaotic mess of life with a sense of beauty, to bring out a bit of mystery. I like to capture those moments that make a moment of everyday life beautiful.

We’ve read you saying that when you head out into the streets you have no precise idea of what you’re going to photography – there’s a sort of symbiosis between you and your surroundings. What are the triggers that tend to draw your attention? And importantly, when you get back home with a camera full of images, how do you determine which are the special ones worth keeping?

On the street I am interested in everything, first of all people, of course, but light, color, texture, it all affects the whole photo. I see color more than action, often my action is color and the sun.

I love playing with sun and shadow and finding situations that people complete. I respect people, I don’t want to attack them. I don’t use flash, ever. My presence is accepted, why I don’t know. I adapt to the scene, I try to keep natural expressions. For example, when I was in the Philippines during two weeks there was one sunny day, I had to find other topics. Every trip has its challenges.

We’re particularly drawn to your series Women in Kyrgyzstan – the color, compositions and cultural signifiers, but particularly the decision to focus on the role of women in this society, straddling between traditional influence and contemporary lifestyles. What drew you to this theme? And as a photographer who has generally categorized their work purely by location or event, are you interested in exploring more such broad topics within the public realm?

I went to Kyrgyzstan in October 2022 I had no idea what type of photos I would take during this two-week trip. I discovered a very interesting country with great traditions and a cultural mix where women have a very strong position. I focused my observations of women at bus stops in Kyrgyzstan. Transport is very well developed and everyone uses it, so it gave me an idea of the lifestyle, the influence of tradition on clothing. I took photos everywhere, at markets in the city center and on the outskirts, but the bus stop made the place unity in each of the cities I was in. I met very friendly women when I was taking photos, many of whom were surprised why I am interested in them.

Of all the places you’ve been, where has been the most special place to shoot? And where do you have on the bucket list?

There is fantastic light in India, I like India but I can say that I love it and I hate it. It is a difficult trip because you have to be able to isolate yourself from reality and not see people living on the streets, begging children and sick dogs. What I like that people are very family-oriented and it is beautiful, their holidays, their traditions, everything in color with spiritual joy.

My dream was to go to Japan during the cherry blossom season, and I realized this dream this year in spring. Japan is fascinating, big tradition but also modernity, contrasts, respect, it is very safe and can easily take photos. I loved it.

Aside from your winning image, can you tell us about a shot you’re particularly proud of? Perhaps one you took recently?

I have a lot of photos that I like, not only those that have won awards, but it is very difficult for me to choose one. I really like the photo that won the Life Framer Color competition because of its ordinary situation. I like the photo from India that I took in January 2020. It’s a girl and there is a cow in the background. I saw two girls who were going to school, I was intrigued, I followed them, I took some photos, we even talked, they left, I continued to follow them and that was the moment when one of them turned around, quite surprised that I was still there, and that was that moment.

What’s the best piece of advice you’d pass on to your younger self if you could?

I think you have to be yourself, take photos that you feel and follow your instincts. First of all, don’t deceive yourself. I meet photographers who don’t like people, but they photograph them…

And finally, what are your plans for the rest of 2024?

I was invited to show my work in the Mexico Street Photo Fest an exhibition “THROUGHT HER EYES” which will be in October 2024.