TiBA Transmutes his Passion for People into his Photographs
Professional photographers can be passionate about the craft, without being in love with the genre. That’s not the worst spot to be in. However, when we connect our passion for image making to the subjects we’re interested in, that’s when the work really comes to life — the Brazilian photographer TiBA is a great example of that.
If you look at TiBA’s commercial work, you’ll see that he is an extremely skilled and talented photographer. When his candid frames meet your eye, beyond his abilities, you’ll feel him become alive behind his camera. It’s that type of passion and energy that gives his personal work so much more substance.
Personally speaking, I love raw B&W street and documentary photography. The type of work that’s not about being fancy, but rather telling the real stories of the people that make up our streets. I’d call TiBA a pure street photographer, one that’s not afraid to get into the mix of things and create his scenes, he’s very good at that.
Every photographer has a story, a path they have taken that leads to where they are now. In this interview with Them Frames, TiBA kindly invites all of you to learn more about his history and how it all contributes to the work he makes today.
Them Frames: Hey TiBA! How are things with you right now in terms of your relationship with photography?
TiBA: Hey Dan, Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I appreciate it!
As of now, I’m focusing on building a solid foundation for myself in the NFT space and helping others along the way. I’ve been hosting space for the community for the last 13 months, achieving 250+ spaces. Also, I’m taking the time to revisit the collections that I dropped when I first entered the space in July of 2021, moving them to a manifold contract. Like most people entering the NFT space, I made tons of mistakes, so I’m fixing them before taking new steps. And to close the year, I plan to drop one new collection and apply for SuperRare. That’s where I stand as of now with my photography. I plan to create new bodies of work in the new year, but nothing defined yet.
Them Frames: I love the intensity of your photographic style. How long do you feel it took to truly find your photographic voice and what was that journey like for you?
TiBA: For anyone to understand what I create, I have to share a bit of my story. I was inspired, fell in love with photography when I saw the works of Sebastian Salgado in 1995. It was love at first sight. From that point on, I started working on my photography, and Salgado’s works were always a reference to me. I didn’t want to copy him so I kept experimenting to find my own flow.
When I started dodging and burning my photographs, I felt that something special was happening for me. That’s how I developed the style I create today. Sadly, When I had the skills to take clients, I started working as a commercial photographer and my clients had no interest in B&W photos. I had to adapt to their needs and my passion for B&W kind of slowed down. I should blame Instagram for that lol. In 2017, I decided to drop all my clients and focus on my B&W photography. I felt alive again!
Them Frames: Your candid photography is awesome. Can you tell us more about how you approach your candid photography and how you identify compelling scenes to document?
TiBA: My approach is simple, I do my best to get to know the people who I photograph, by connecting with them before pointing a camera at them. I gain their trust. Eventually I become invisible to them, and I'm able to capture those special moments.
Them Frames: You’re an international music photographer. Can you share with us some of the highlights of your career so far?
TiBA: I was the personal photographer for the Canadian pop star Kieza. While working with her I got to shoot many other bands/artists - Duran Duran, Diplo, BettyWHo etc. I worked with her for about 3-4 years, and I got to shoot in over 40 countries. It was a great experience!
Them Frames: If you had to give one up: music or candid photography, which one would it be and why?
TiBA: I would give up music photography, going from city to city and country to country, it’s exhausting! I like to say, do it once for the experience. As much as I love traveling, I like being at home with the people close to me.
Them Frames: You’re based between New York and Bali, how do the two cultures compare in terms of attitudes towards street and documentary photography?
TiBA: Being a street photographer in NY is kind of dangerous, people get mad when you point a camera at them. You have to be quick and be ready to fight in case someone jumps on you. In contrast, people are very friendly in Bali. It’s so easy to be a street photographer out here.
Them Frames: Most of your work is in Black and White. Why is that?
Tiba: As I had mentioned early, I fell in love with photography when I came across the works of Sebastian Salgado. B&W moves me in a way that color doesn’t. It’s about the feeling that I get when creating.
Them Frames: Finally, if you could please finish this sentence: “I need photography in my life because…”
TiBA: “I need photography in my life because it allows me to connect with everything that surrounds me, giving me lots of peace of mind.
Your can see more work from TiBA by visiting his Linktr.ee.
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