Gabriel Wickbold

Gabriel Wickbold is a young Brazilian photographer with an amazing portfolio; his images are very colorful and have an innovative touch.
In his work he goes even further to highlight eroticism through new experimentations.

Above the interview:

Who are you?

My name is Gabriel Wickbold , I’m a young Brazilian photographer, 25, married, and have a baby girl named Gloria, I’ve worked with many different artistic languages, started writing poetry, then became a musician. Also, graduated in TV broadcasting, never actually studied photography but at the same time I believe the photographic technique is so basic that what truly makes the difference is feeling and composition.

What sparked your interest in photography?

It has so much to do with my personality, it is fast, interacts with people, and responds instantly giving results (since I am very impatient).

What equipment do you use?

I definitely think the equipment is part of the result, but I have even done pictures I love with a Canon 10D, all the material in my web site from the “brasileiros” file I did with that camera.

Nowadays for the sexual colors project equipment is really necessary, so I use Broncolor Flash Graffiti A4. It is the only flash that really freezes the moving objects when I throw them at people.

How do you decide on locations and subjects?

It’s all about research and references. I do a lot of research on the web, saving all of the images I like, and call these images “unconscious files” since it all mixes with my ideas and brings naturally the references while thinking of locations or subjects.

How would you describe your shooting style?

Impactful and colorful

Do you rely on lighting (natural, or artificial), or on computer enhancement?

Both. I like to mix it up during the photo shoot, I click, preset on the image, fix light and that’s how I go after results mixing everything. I love the computer, but like I said I’m really impatient so, I use it for colors, brightness, and contrast. I don’t like systems (when you put objects or images which are not on the original image)

As a photographer, what is your main focus when doing a shoot: the model, the fashion, or the technical aspects of photography? Many photographers have a different approach to fashion – what is yours?

I think my main focus is the interaction between all these aspects. If I had to choose one I would prefer concentrate on the model. I think my fashion approach is refined, but at the same time not really pretentious. When called for a job, I always try to think outside of the box, to go against what the brand wants to say. I believe the only way to really call attention (impact) is creating a conflict between the brand and its consumer. But to make the impact without the aggression that’s the secret, which I can’t tell you.

How do you compare shooting in the studio to on location – any preference?

I love to work in the studio because it’s my space I know every knob in my background, and I love to make people don’t think in the word “studio” when they see my  images, they are transported to a different place, a third place that is not a studio and it’s not a location.

What do you love the most about your job?

I love to be paid to do what I would do for free, I think it’s easy to say that when you are a well paid photographer. These feeling are priceless