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Orlando Snapshot: Framing Shadowman

In the not-too distant past, Artist Square’s Racquel Cruz was able to shine light on one of Orlando’s art scene icon, Richard Diaz. Through his words and works, a dominant theme of passion, trust, and eyeing beyond the overlooked define success.

The following interview exposes, in print and digital form, a non-filtered and wide-angled view as Richard Diaz, known in the world of photography as “Shadowman,” responds to:

Richard, explain to our WONO audience a bit about your alter-ego and your favorite photography styles and techniques.

I chose the name “Shadowman” because of a self-portrait I took of my own shadow. Reared from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, my childhood was spent throughout beautiful landscape, mountains, and wildlife. It was during this time that I developed an eye to see beyond land, and I hope my style represents that vision.

When I traveled to the capital, San Juan, to visit my grandfather, I would spend hours in his dark room that he used to develop his work. I have good memories of those special days, watching my dad experimenting with new equipment and developing techniques. He also used me as a model for portraits. I believe these early childhood experiences offered me the inspiration to become a photographer.

Photography runs in my family; from my grandfather, who designed the photography curriculum for the University Of Puerto Rico, my father, a dedicated photographer, and now me. I’m studying photography in one of the oldest photography schools in America, The New York Institute of Photography. I have a passion for photography, especially wildlife. As an outdoor guy, I love to capture nature and wildlife in its essence, as God created, so you can also enjoy it.

As for my styles, I consider myself an eclectic photographer. I love to experiment on each photo, letting my creativity loose to compose a frame. Some people say that my best photography styles are minimalist photography and portraiture. Some of my best photos are from simple things.

I find a great deal of personal satisfaction capturing those things we take for granted and overlook. I also love to photograph people, to capture their essence and allowing the soul to be exposed.

Capturing the person’s character is the most challenging task of a portraiture photographer.
On another personal level, I love shooing portraits in black and white.

I use a wide array of techniques, from black and white to HDR, falling in surrealism. I like capturing the beauty of morning dew on a leaf, a tiny speck of color on a dark background, shapes, and creating masterpieces.

What can you tell you that makes you unique from other photographers?

I am a firm believer that a good photo comes from the passion for simplicity and the composition of the frame that you create before one shoots. I always said that a good photographer is not measured by the equipment that he uses, but by the ability to compose a great picture from scratch.

As an old school photographer, I compose my pictures in my head, and then I shoot. I don’t depend on computer software to do that part, but to enhance what I just created.

I see beauty in the simplest things around me. I do not have to travel far, or visit famous places in order to create a photo worth a thousand words. In the eye of the beholder, my pictures capture the essence of the subject in my thoughts, and transfer the unimaginable to a real, visible canvas.

Thank you Richard for opening a lens into your world while offering an inspiration for those interested in pursuing photography and art.

For a closer look, you can view more of Shadowman’s artwork here:
http://artists-square.com/m/photos/browse/album/Shadowman-s-Visual-Art/owner/Shadowman

Tracing the local art scene while encouraging individual and community involvement, I am
Racquel Cruz, Founder of Artists-Square www.artists-square.com.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. IT IS NICE TO SEE THAT ORLANDO IS HOUSING SO MANY PEOPLE WITH TALENTS, SPECIALLY IF THEY ARE PART OF A MINORITY GROUP. ( HISPANICS) THIS OPPORTUNITY IS THE CANVAS WHERE AN ARTIST CAN — — USED AS A TOOL TO PROMOTE THEIR TALENTS AND SHOW THE WORLD THE MARVELOUS THINGS THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING.”SHADOWMAN” IS MY CO WORKER AND A VERY TALENTED FRIEND.GOOD THINGS HAPPENED TO GOOD PEOPLE. GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR ENDEAVOURS. MS. B.

  2. Richard Diaz has shown great participation and hard work in displaying his artwork on Artist’s Square. He takes advantage of the tools provided for him, and understands that perseverance will ultimately take him where he wants to be in life. We are eager to watch him grow and fulfill his dreams. We will be there every step of the way.

    Thank you Richard for all you give to the website.

    Racquel Cruz, Founder
    http://www.artists-square.com

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