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Photo: Cristian Larrere
Cristian Larrere is one of Chile's most dedicated photographers—a maestro of landscapes, nature, astrophotography, and especially birds. His spectacular photo essay on Chilean birds appeared in Issue 26 (summer 2023) of Patagon Journal.
But his greatest accomplishment may be sharing photography's joys with others. In 2018, he founded Rayados por las Fotos, now one of Chile's largest amateur photography communities. Through group challenges, photo safaris, retreats, and workshops—from basic techniques to advanced Lightroom and Photoshop editing—he has built a supportive network of hundreds of members nationwide. The community has produced several books celebrating Chile's landscapes, and Larrere's approachable teaching style has empowered countless photographers to advance their craft.
In this interview, we explore his photography and what he’ll be looking for as a judge in the 7th Patagonia Photo Contest.
Patagon Journal: What are you looking for when you take a photo?
Cristian Larrere: I always try to add value to the composition by looking for distinctive elements and a good foreground that provides references for distance, volume, and depth, and that increases the viewer's interest through natural frames.
In nature photography, you always try to get a bird to look very sharp, frozen in time, but I like to innovate and take photographs that may even be a little blurred or shaky, to show the subject's dynamism and speed. I also integrate other elements, such as foreground references, context, setting, lighting, natural frames, and angles.
You always have to give it a different spin so that the image has more value for the viewer. I try to convey emotions, a message, but always based on a combination of content and, in the background, the more technical aspects. The photographer's hand is more important than the camera's capabilities.
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Photo: Cristian LarrereWhat do you like to photograph the most?
CL: As a teacher, I've explored all photographic genres to gain the experience needed to offer advice. But the one I've always been most passionate about is nature photography, particularly wildlife, which gives me an adrenaline rush. These feelings thrill me every time I'm with my camera in a forest or wetland, looking for species and trying to get spectacular shots, which doesn't always work out. I always try to go a little further—to capture a special attitude, a beautiful setting, beautiful light, lots of detail.
How do you prepare for your nature photography work, both physically and technically?
CL: Well, if photography involves trekking, for example, I always try to stay in good physical shape so that I can climb the mountains and stay there for several days in a row, taking photographs. On the technical side, I have enough equipment to be comfortable in the field, photographing wildlife with telephoto lenses, landscapes, and night photography. I always carry a small tripod in my backpack, which allows me to adapt to different photographic needs without any problems. I usually also carry two cameras, so I don't have to change lenses and, occasionally, if I have a problem with one piece of equipment, I have the other one as a backup.
What do you find most difficult to photograph?
CL: Since I really like nature photography, the most difficult thing for me is finding species that are hard to spot, like the güiña, or that are nocturnal, like the Concón owl; also those that only appear on voyages on the high seas, in Antarctica, on Rapa Nui, or on Juan Fernández Island, which means being able to travel and being lucky enough to encounter them. Those are my most difficult photos: the ones I've been trying to photograph for years. I know it will happen, but not as frequently as with other species.
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Photo: Cristian LarrereWhat advice would you give to photographers just starting out, or for those participating in the 7th Patagonia Photo Contest?
CL: First, you don't need a great camera to take good pictures. Second, you don't need to go to a special place. Photos can be taken anywhere, even in your backyard or at the corner park. And above all, never believe that you've already learned everything. There is always something to improve, always something to polish. You are always learning, no matter how many years you've been doing it or how many awards you've won. This art is not static; there are no masters from whom you have to learn everything. We all have the ability to create beautiful photographs, and we have to believe in ourselves and continue this never-ending journey of improvement.
As a member of the contest panel of judges, what criteria will you use to select a winning photo?
CL: Good question. For me, photographs convey and communicate, so when I look at them, I have to choose which ones move me the most, which catch my attention and awaken something in me because of what they have: the colors, the textures, the composition. I don't have a defined criterion; rather, I let myself be carried away by the impression they make on me. The photographs that best communicate an emotion or connect with the viewer are more likely to advance. I hope there will many images that convey what this contest is looking for: the beauty of Patagonia.
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