Interview
Carina Silva
Ireland
Carina Silva is a photographer based in Dublin. Her entry, titled "7 Deadly Sins", highlighted the misdeeds in a fashion editorial, which she exhibits flawlessly.
1 Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
My name is Carina, I am Portuguese and I have lived in Ireland for 6 years. I work with photography as a freelancer. Photography came into my life on a case-by-case basis. My mother was always in love with photos but that didn't influence me because I actually wanted to be a stylist. But unfortunately there was a year that I failed in school, and the photography course came up with a suggestion to finish high school and learn a profession at the same time. At the time I thought I wouldn't like it, but after the first few weeks of the course I couldn't see myself doing anything but taking pictures.
2 Where did you study photography?
I studied photography in Portugal at Escola Prossifional Digital de Lisboa, and after that I studied on my own and started doing workshops.
3 Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
My first photograph was as a result of group work at the photography school. At the time I still didn't have my photo camera, so I had to use my colleague's. The idea of ??the work was architecture photography. Unfortunately I don't have this photograph with me anymore.
4 What equipment do you use?
Canon EOS 200D, Lens 50mm 1.8, Reflector, 2 Softbox 60x90 cm
5 What do you hope to achieve?
One of my big dreams is to have my work recognized internationally, and also to be able to photograph an editorial for the vogue magazine.
6 What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
The biggest compliment I can receive is knowing that people who were very afraid of taking a photo shoot left the shoot happier and more confident than they arrived. And tell me that you love a little more today after the photo shoot.
7 What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
1. Portrait 2. Fashion 3. Lifestyle
8 Congratulations! As the winner of the MUSE Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
When I decided to participate my first thought was "I'll be able to create something more artistic and prove to myself that I'm capable". And winning the prize at the end will make me look at the statue and remember the project I created myself and how I managed to reach the final and still win and never give up on anything.
9 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2021 MUSE Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
I participated in this contest because of the pandemic. We were closed for several months in a row without work, so I felt a huge need to express my creativity. My photographic project talks about the 7 deadly sins, which the pandemic highlighted even more. Along with all the story about the 7 sins I did a color, fashion study in order to convey the 7 deadly sins in a fashion editorial. Each color represents a sin along with the type of clothing chosen as well. Red - Anger; Orange - Gluttony; Yellow - Envy; Green - Greed; Blue - Luxury; Ink - Sloth and Lilac - Pride.
10 How has winning an award developed your career?
Winning the Muse Awards 2021 will give you a boot of self-confidence both professionally and personally. The trophy will be my reminder to never give up on anything.
11 Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
1. Gonçalo Catarino (Portuguese Fashion Photographer) 2. André Britto (Portuguese Fashion Photographer) 3. Lara Jade (American Fashion Photographer)
12 What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
The best knowledge I can give is start with what you have today!! Because perfection doesn't exist and the world is evolving very fast, so better done with your best at that moment than perfect and never finished. There's a quote by Mark Zuckerberg that I really like to remember is "ideas don't come out fully formed. They only become clear when you work on it. You just have to get started".
13 What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
I think first that everything must study the technical part of photography to understand the basics and then discover and learn how to use the camera you have. The most important part of the whole process is to participate and test very very hard and let the creativity flow during the process.
14 Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
I would like to thank all my team for their support and patience during the project which is so special to me.
