Interview with CLAUDINA DIEGO, PORTUGAL

I am always certain about who I am or where do I want to go, maybe it is because of these moments of meditation that film photography demands of me.

I'm happy to have you here, Claudina. Please tell us a bit about yourself and your journey into film photography.

Claudina: My name is Claudina, I am 24 years old and I am based in Lisbon, Portugal. I got into photography when I was ten years old and my parents gave me for Christmas a little digital camera! I was so excited that I became the photographer of my family holidays! Later, when I started my studies at university, I was meeting a lot of people and I wanted to register all faces and all moments, so my life as an film photographer starts here. First, I was shooting with disposable cameras, but soon I bought my first point and shoot camera. 

What type of film do you use and what camera do you use it with? Why do you prefer these?

Claudina: I am very faithful to Kodak Gold 200 film.

About cameras, well, I am always trying new ones, because to buy cameras is one of my biggest pleasures. But at the same time that I am always testing a new camera, I am also taking pictures with a Canon AE-1 camera. About 35 mm format, I always recommend this one!

What do you think film has that digital doesn't have?


Claudina: For me, the biggest difference between film and digital photography is it own experience. The concept of time when you are shooting digital or film is very different. Film photography demands more of you, because it needs your time. And then, of course, the film aesthetic has it own beauty just per se.

Do you print your own photographs or are you comfortable having them printed in a lab?

Claudina: My photographs are printed in a lab.

What motivates you to continue making photographs with film? Have you learned anything about yourself through film photography?

Claudina: Passion! My genuine passion for film photography is what motivates me to continue, in particular in the moments I remember that my financial income through film photography is very low.

I am very into self portraits. Every time I shoot one picture of myself, I use to ask: what does represent me? what does represent me is as I want the others to see me? To answer these two questions with different ages or in different seasons of the year, makes me think about myself and it helps me to know me better. I am always certain about who I am or where do I want to go, maybe it is because of these moments of meditation that film photography demands of me.

Are there any photographers that influenced your way of making pictures?

Claudina: In general, I consume a lot of images in my daily life: I am always looking to pictures on social media, I like to go to bookshops and flip through magazines and books. In particular, I love the work of Vivian Maier!

Do you see any value or merits shooting with film?

Claudina: In a generation where food is fast, fashion is fast, why do not make picture slow?

What do you think your future is like with film photography?

Claudina: I do not know where I will be or what I will be doing, but I am sure that my future will be filled with memories from the past. So maybe film photography is a way to fight against the passage of time and a way to preserve memory.

Do you have any dream film photography project?

Claudina: I dream of having a successful career as a film photographer, but the market is very competitive and to live in Portugal does not help it. Despite this, I am thinking about publishing a book!

Photographers around the world are finding ways to keep themselves busy during this lockdown, and coming up with activities to make self-isolation a bit more interesting. What are your ways to keep busy while you have to stay at home?

Claudina: The world lockdown while I was visiting my parents in the countryside, so I think I was lucky because I have much more space here (both indoors as outdoors) than I have in my flat in the city. So these last five weeks I have been working with or for anybody. It has been a time of self reflection. I have been revisiting my old photos and organising my negatives. Also, I have been doing a lot of visual research to keep myself inspired!

Every sunset, when the light comes in my room, I have been shooting! I think to daily shoot some pictures calm me down! I think I have been learning to be more patient.

Would you like to offer some good words to those who want to try film photography for the first time? What must they learn before venturing into this format?


Claudina: Do not stop exploring film or cameras, if the ones you are shooting with do not suit your expectation.

You can catch Claudina's extraordinary work on Instagram.

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Be considerate. All photographs shown on this page are the sole property of Claudina Diego. She devoted her time, and worked hard making these photographs. You know very well it's wrong to copy, download, reproduce, reprint, modify, distribute, publicly display, license, transfer or sell content retrieved from this page in any way, for any public or commercial use or to any commercial source, including other websites, without prior written permission of Claudina Diego. Be good. You don’t want to go to jail, do you?

Well now, if you are a passionate film photographer and would like to be interviewed? I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email at mapamelvin@gmail.com with the subject, "Interview me", and share your story, thoughts, and work related to film photography. I’ll get back to you as soon as I receive your request for an interview.

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Cheers!

Mel