In Sync

Through his images, Brooklyn-based photographer Ismael Fernandez strives to reveal the everyday beauty that may often go unnoticed. His photo essay in The Sun’s November issue—“Blues in Black and White”—does just that. The images illuminate the soulful ambience and spirited connection at events combining dancing and live blues music in New York City. I was curious to learn more about Ismael’s passion for both photography and dance.

Take care and read well,
Rachel J. Elliott, Editorial Associate & Photo Editor

 

Rachel J. Elliott: In the introduction to your photo essay you mention that you enjoy dancing. How did you get into it and what style is your favorite?

Ismael Fernandez: I first fell into partner dancing years ago when a friend dragged me to a swing-dance event. I’ve always loved jazz and dancing, but partner dancing is on another level. Seeing couples dancing in sync, communicating wordlessly as they executed different moves, and being swept away by the joy of dancing—this spoke to me immediately.

I’ve since explored other partner dances, from blues to tango to contra, and I love them all. But swing dancing will always be home.

Rachel: Speaking of home, where did you grow up?

Ismael: My father was a diplomat, so I grew up all over the place. I was born in Switzerland and then spent some time in the Philippines before eventually moving to Virginia and then New York City, which became my permanent home.

Rachel: I imagine there is a wealth of material to choose from as a photographer living in New York City. What other personal projects have you worked on?

Ismael: I’ve made a few friends in the dance scene and have been fortunate enough to convince some of them to model for me, either in the studio or in the streets. Doing these portraits is a fun challenge, one I hope to explore more.

Rachel: How did you first become interested in photography?

Ismael: My best friend in high school was an aspiring nature photographer, so we would spend many weekends driving out to the country, going on long hikes with our cameras. I wasn’t all that interested in photography at the time, but I suppose a bit of it rubbed off on me. I later took a course in college. As a reward for something I no longer recall, I treated myself to a cheap-but-decent Nikon, and my interest just built from there.

Rachel: Are there any photographers who inspired or influenced you?

Ismael: I tend to go back to the old masters: Robert Doisneau and Henri Cartier-Bresson for the way they captured candid, unscripted moments; Fan Ho for his mastery of light and shadow; Dorothea Lange for the raw honesty of her portraits.

As far as modern photographers, there’s a wedding photographer named Jerry Ghionis who’s a wizard at seeing light and making the most of difficult lighting situations. His work is particularly inspiring.

Rachel: What do you think makes a good photo?

Ismael: The thing I like about photography is that it’s a mix of art and technology. Without the artistry—the ability to see the scene, frame it correctly, choose the decisive moment—you don’t have an image. Without the technical knowledge—an understanding of the exposure triangle, the choice of focal length, the ability to make the most of your equipment—you can’t make your vision come true. A good photograph combines these elements to freeze a moment in time.