José Ramón Fernández‘s photo collection serves as a representative selection of a recurrent theme in his photographic work. In these images, the human figure is depicted within a wide general plane, appearing as if merely accidental or transitory within the solid, permanent spatial framework; as if by chance, the figure has remained within the framing of the picture.
As viewers, one can’t help but wonder who these solitary figures are, where they are going, or what they are thinking. The photographs were taken in cities where he has lived or spent significant time, often in peripheral or less crowded areas. They span various periods and thus vary in the techniques and methods employed. Initially captured without a specific purpose and unrelated to any project, these images likely stemmed from his reflections and self-questioning about the intrinsic loneliness of humanity, its insignificance, and the ephemeral nature of human existence.
José Ramón acknowledges that no photograph, even those purporting to be purely documentary, truly represents reality but instead portrays a representation shaped by the photographer’s perspective and attitude. Thus, a photograph reveals as much about its subject as it does about its creator. His photos, often general shots or images taken from behind glass, reveal his reserved nature, his preference to remain unnoticed, his somewhat pessimistic view of existence, and his efforts—perhaps in vain—to bring order, interpretation, and meaning to the amorphous, unfathomable, and incomprehensible reality.
In terms of his career, José Ramón took up photography relatively late. Over several years of enthusiastic exploration and learning, photography became a fundamental part of his daily life. Despite some initial resistance to digital technology, this shift eventually facilitated his professional development, allowing him to experiment with a wide range of representational possibilities. His compact cameras, which he could always carry, afforded him considerable freedom in capturing images. He still enjoys using his old film cameras from time to time.
Identifying as a documentary photographer, José Ramón captures what he sees without staging or preparations. He possesses a drive to make sense of the world and to extract meaning from its chaotic forms. For him, photography means venturing out with his camera, sometimes with a specific idea, but often without a clear purpose, seeking the stories that lie in wait to be captured. He believes that a powerful photograph cannot merely be explained but must convey something on its own.
He agrees with the notion that a photographer’s main tools are his eyes and emotions. He prides himself on his ability to see what others cannot, to translate stories into images that are not easily perceived by others, bringing a full range of sensations and emotions to those who accompany him on his photographic journeys. His goal with photography is to capture fleeting life and the emotion of moments, to bear witness to them and, in some way, preserve them.
A few years back, he held an exhibition at the Alvargonzález Foundation in Gijón with the sea as its theme and participated in several group exhibitions. In 2018, he received a “New Talents” grant at the Gijón Photographic Meetings, and part of his project “Off Season” was exhibited at the Barjola Museum in Gijón. During 2020, several of his pictures were displayed in various cities as part of the national project “Behind the Glass” by PhotoEspaña. Last year, in 2023, he was selected and participated in the viewings of Descubrimientos PhotoEspaña with the project he presents here. This year, 2024, he has once again been selected for PhotoEspaña viewings, this time with a different project titled “What the Trees Tell Me”.
