By: Amelia Abelo | @ameliaabelo
Photographer: Rebeca Cygnbus | @rebecacygnus
In this series of Q&A interviews, we will consult a group of professional photographers, who are at different stages in their career, to get a unique perspective on the fashion industry from the inside. Our second interview discussed the transition from modeling into photography and the development of the fashion business around the world. In this third and final interview with photographer Rebeca Cygnus, we will discuss fine art photography, her sources of inspiration, and beauty ideals in society.
Fine Art Photography
”I started to feel a real connection between my mind and my camera.”
The Madrid-based fine art photographer Rebeca Cygnus, or Rebeca Carpintero as she sometimes goes by, has been celebrated for her surrealistic photographs since she was a teenager. On top of having had her photos included in some of the most prestigious exhibitions all over the world, she has an international group of clients who can not get enough of the dreamy feeling in her images.
Who is Rebeca? What is the story behind your double artist names?
Rebeca Cygnus is like any other woman searching for answers and trying to define herself. By coincidence, she chose art as the method to do it.
Cygnus is my artistic name and also a constellation in swan form. I always felt linked to the universe and the stars.
When and how did you discover your interest in fine art photography?
My father had so many cameras when he was younger, so I guess it all started when I brought one of those on my school trips. Although, it wasn’t until I finished school in 2009 that I decided to pursue a photography career. I saw a poster announcing photography classes in my school and I instantly knew it was right for me. Four years later I discovered fine art photography and started to reflect more over the concepts behind shots. I started to feel a real connection between my mind and my camera. That is why I find this type of photography really interesting.
What is your main source of inspiration? Has it developed or changed since you first started out?
My main source of inspiration has always been the internet. There are so many great artists out there. I also feel very inspired by music, movies and color palettes. I think color is a amazing tool for expressing emotions. Sometimes I go to a page called https://moviesincolor.com/ and take some inspiration from there. I am also using Pinterest a lot. Not only for photography inspiration, but for everything in general.
Which achievement are you most proud of?
My main achievement that I feel most proud of is that my art is reaching all around the world. People buy my prints from so many different parts of the world, such as Australia, United Kingdom, Mexico and Norway. When I first started out, I would never have imagined that my photos could travel further than just me!
What are your tips to others who consider embarking on an unconventional career path?
If it is something you want to do, then you should go for it. However, never set financial security as your main goal. Art should come from the heart and not from the desire to make money. With that said, it is not a bad idea to have a part time job at the same time. If it doesn’t take up too much time, this will give you some stability to create art more freely.
For being in your twenties, you have certainly come far within the world of photography. Is there a professional goal you have not achieved yet?
I think my work has changed throughout the years. I have been doing more conceptual art in the past. At the moment, I am trying to be more minimalistic and integrate an artistic touch on my commercial work.
Oh wow, what a difficult question to answer in only a few sentences! There are so many goals that I have not achieved yet. One of them is to create a piece of art, or series, about climate change and do a huge exhibit with it, creating conscience in those who look at it. I think that is my main goal; create art and conscience.
What responsibility do you think artists have for shaping the beauty ideals in society?
We have the responsibility to integrate all types of beauty and destroy the main idea of beauty that we’ve been taught since we were kids. In other words; to show the world all kind of beauty, color and sizes.
Are there any changes you would like to see in the fashion and art worlds?
I guess I would like nudes to be considered as something natural. Increasing diversity more conscience behind the ideas that are shown in the images. I would also like to see more people collaborating with one another. It’s very interesting how many things we can achieve when we come together as humans.
https://ameliaabelo.journoportfolio.com
