LOUIS IRUELA | WOODLANDS OF MADRID

WOODLANDS OF MADRID
By Louis Iruela

“My creative process is very chaotic. It’s hard to meet rainy conditions in Spain for days at a time, so when I am blessed with the opportunity to take out my camera, I do so quickly and always use a handheld camera to take advantage of the chance.”
-Louis Iruela

LOUIS IRUELA

“Rain is my favorite color”

I grew up on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain, and was involved in nature activities from a very young age. Trees and forests gradually became an obsession. My photography journey started very late. Assisting in fashion was my first experience with the industry when I was 35. I soon started taking my own images of the Spanish climbing scene, leading me to photograph the landscapes we visited. My interest naturally transitioned toward nature.
I have always consumed photographs in books and magazines and had a great interest in classic landscape painting, such as the Hudson River School, Barbizon School, or the earlier Flemish and Dutch 16-17th century masters, who I usually turn to when searching for texture and color references.
My creative process is very chaotic. It’s hard to meet rainy conditions in Spain for days at a time, so when I am blessed with the opportunity to take out my camera, I do so quickly and always use a handheld camera to take advantage of the chance. I think many would find my accelerated demeanor in the forest somewhat humorous.
I hardly ever cull or edit until days after. This allows me to begin postproduction with a clear mind.
Rather than approaching subjects for mere documentation, I’m inclined toward dark, romantic, and compelling scenes, often not complying with specific “rules” of traditional landscape and realistic photography.
Photography grants us a chance for personal interpretation.
This photography project invites the viewers to witness nature from my perspective without complying with the rules of traditional landscape imagery. I want to take advantage of the chance photography grants me for personal interpretation, so experimenting with new editing “techniques” is always on the table.
I can’t wait for my next walk in the rain, as I’m sure my best photograph is still to be taken.

“This series of photographs were taken in the woodlands of Madrid.
A small mountain range full of history, It has served as the recreational area for Spanish Royalty, witnessed Napoleon defeat the Spanish army and is the setting for Hemingway’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls”, where he depicted horrid combat during the Spanish Civil War. Its grounds are less rich in diversity but hold many hidden corners where birches, oaks, and pines mingle in fern-covered floors.
This colorful and surrealist series of works takes on this unknown but extraordinary land.“

See the full article in Lens Magazine Issue #112