by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 21st of March 2022 


Joan Gil Raga is passionate about photography. His love for nature can be seen in his excellent wildlife shots but he also masters talentful Fine Art Nudes. Let's put both genres and the artist himself in the spotlights today through this interview.

'What a look'

'Bea con tocado'

When and how did you start your photographic journey? For many of us photography is either a hobby or a way of life.
How would you define your relationship with photography?
My photographic journey started when I was a child following the steps of my father who was a great photographer, although he was not a professional. At home we had a place to develop the black and white photos and that's how I began to love photography.
First it was a hobby, later on it became a way of earning my living but it always was my passion.

I live very close to the Delta del Ebre natural park in the south of Catalonia. It is considered the second most 'wet' park in Spain, Doñana being the first. When you live there, you have a very close contact with nature and its flora and fauna. At the beginning I started with photos related with nature, but later on, my interests expanded and I developed a wider scope of subjects.

'Flamingos Nursery

'Red faces'

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
Mood is the thing that influences me the most .The story behind a photo is really relevant, if we don' t take it into account we are only talking about aesthetics. To me, technical perfection is lesser important. The story at first sight is what's really important.

If they are sessions about fauna,what is relevant is knowing the way the subjects act, Ethology and you have to look for the right places without preparing the set.

If the subjects are models then it is important to feel at ease and comfortable together.
For the sessions taken in a studio, it is very important to create the atmosphere you want.

'Lorena on the couch'

'Divan'

'Delaia in the house'

What advice would you give to a beginner in photography?
To know what you want to photograph, you need a lot of patience and to be perseverant.
If the idea implies a trip, you have to think about what's better : traveling alone or with a group. If you travel with a group, it is really important that all the members are photographers and have more or less the same interest. If not, it is better to go on your own. Try to avoid a trip with a mixture of people: walkers, observers and photographers.
In the case of studio photography, once you have an idea, think about costumes, the set, lighting, props and than look for the right model to start the session

Tell us about your gear, Joan?
I'm using a Canon1DXMarkIII for most of the photos related with nature because I think it is the best. Concerning my lenses, their range goes from 600mmII, 300mm, 70-200II, Macro 180mm 24-70 mm, 17-40 mm and all of them are from Canon.
In the studio, I also work with a digital Hasselblad 40 megas with different lenses.

What is your personal favourite picture?
One of my favourite photos is 'Starlings dance'

'Starlings at lake'

Starlings and their flights have always fascinated me. Every year I look forward to the winter to enjoy their dances. This photo was taken in the winter of 2005, which was really cold. Close to my home there is a concrete factory and the starlings like to spend the night there because it is lesser cold due to the heat of the factory. This picture was taken taken the very first day I went there. The flight formed fractals like this one, as if they were communicating vessels. The truth is that I've never been able to take another shot like this one.

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose works have influenced you and your photography?
The photographer who has influenced me the most and who has taught me the few things I know is José Benito Ruiz. He' s a Spanish photographer who has spent some time teaching and has also published some books about photography. Apart from being given many awards .
Other photographers who have also influenced me are: Cristina Garcia Rodero, Isabel Diaz , Juan Tapia, Benz Mathe,Vicent Munier, Michael Kenna and probably others that don ' t come to my mind at the moment.

Where do you look to find inspiration and what inspires you the most?
My inspiration comes mainly from observing nature, its shape, its colours and smell, its magic.

Now, since we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would kindly ask you to share with us your plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.
At the moment I am working with the use of smoke in my photos related with ballet or portraits. I hope I'll be able to show the results soon. I want to travel to South Africa once more to take photos about African fauna.

'Nyalas at night'

'Father and puppies'

'Common warthog'

'Young Cheetah'

Is there anything else you wish to add and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?
I wish 1x to continue to support photography and to keep the high level of quality like the site has been doing until nowadays. Many thanks giving me the opportunity for this interview.

'The lady of hydrangeas'

'Photo finish'

'Warrior'

'Atzavara flower'

'Nude on the rock'

'Rosa palido'