We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eduardo Lara. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eduardo below.
Hi Eduardo , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
During the start of the fall semester in 2017, I had already planned to finish my studies as a forensic technician. I learned everything I needed to be certified. I just needed one class to seal my fate, Fingerprint Processing. Because this class was in high demand, being the only one offered each year, it was difficult to get in, forcing me to be on the waitlist. While waitlisted, I gave myself a backup option and I enrolled in an art class that coincided with fingerprinting. As I’m standing in the classroom waiting for a chance to be a master fingerprint processor, I remembered some of the honest talks I had with my professors during the forensics program. They explained that being in this line of work not only puts a target on my back but puts one on my family’s too. It was at this moment that I figuratively tossed a coin and let fate decide. I thought, “why not have fun and gamble on my career path”; so I thought if I can’t get in I’ll be an artist. And just like that, I was told to come back to the next class day for the final decision. I realized it was fate’s way of saying “ask again later” so I decided that was a good enough reason, ran across campus, and become an artist. I had taken classes after classes learning animation, graphic design, composition, sculpting, etc. Eventually, it led me to photography and I haven’t looked back since. I’m proud to say that I graduated from ASU in 2021 with a BFA in photography.
Eduardo , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Photography started from a random video on YouTube about using life hacks in your photography. After about ten different photography-related videos later, I grabbed a camera and started shooting. I was excited to try a new art form. I figured after taking a variety of art classes, I should take intro to photography. My professor saw my potential and advised me to take on the photography program. I have learned that there are only two things I need, curiosity and a camera. I have always had an interest in the sciences and it has always been reflected in my images. Whether I go out with a plan or just experiment and improvise, I always hope to capture a significant image that can resonate and be the forerunner of a future body of work. At times I get lucky and capture two, what I most enjoy are the serendipitous results of my photographs.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being an artist/creative can offer up many rewards. The ability to convert abstraction into concrete tangible items is astonishing. Here’s the best part, this ability isn’t something you’re born with, everyone can learn this and make it as unique as a fingerprint. The beautiful thing about being an artist is that you can create anything and everything and I think that is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
I think NFTs are a new way of selling, promoting, and creating artworks. They’re new which causes confusion and uneasiness. The idea of creating and selling art using code through the digital scape is incredible. In a way, they’re just like The Starry Night, Vitruvian Man, and Michelangelo’s David, NFTs become originals through a digital space. Comments like “I can screenshot and make it mine” are laughable, because you can say the same thing with taking a picture of the Mona Lisa and making it yours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gamblerphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamblerphotos/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardo-lara-photographer/