Peacemaker Interview
- What does visual peacemaking mean to you?
Is the capacity that visual artists have to produce some sort of reflection, towards the similarities that individuals have, among different cultures, religions, world views. If we can make our viewers “feel” closer to the reality of our subject, then we have created peace.
- What motivates you to be a peacemaker?
My background in Chile, my experience in Middle East, my faith. After so much anger, revanche, hate and their respective consequences there’s no so much left to do. Is either died on those terms or try to live by peace.
- Have you ever felt stereotyped?
For sure. From the very moment that I was born in, what is call, a “third world country”.
- How does your camera get you to reflect on your world and your life?
I’d say it’s more like the experience with these mediums, working on a story, on a subject, covering the work of an NGO, interacting with the people, etc. I think all these experiences are what help me to reflect on the world surrounding me, to pay attention to stories, to details, to admire the beauty and the ugliness of what we call our world…
- What do you like to photograph best?
People. Period. I’m really keen on portraying the story and environment of the people that I photograph. I love the challenge of putting that together on a story.
- What technical aspect of photography do you find most challenging?
The art of creating light. When you start using light modifiers, shapers, etc.
- Is there a particular group you feel is misunderstood or stereotyped that you’d like to document common humanity amongst?
I live in a country where people have been stereotyped for a long time. I’m working specially among Kurds, the largest people group in the world without a country! Certainly they have been misunderstood, stereotyped, judged by so many people, nations and politics. So I think I have a lot work to do among them.
- Do you have an idea worth sharing?
Yes, http://www.theoneshotproject.com/
My Biography
Heber Vega is a freelance humanitarian photographer based in northern Iraq, specializing in documenting the work of NGOs and non-profit organizations.
My Recent Activity
- I added: The ONE-SHOT Project in 2012
to Buzz on March 16, 2012 - I added: Photographing Women in a Muslim Country
to Blog on December 06, 2011 - I added: The ONE-SHOT Campaign in Iraq
to Buzz on July 22, 2011 - I added: Prosperity through Candles
to Photo Stories on July 25, 2010 - I added: NGO Photography
to Galleries on July 22, 2010 - I added: Cultural Photography
to Galleries on July 22, 2010
My Availability
Specializing in working with NGOs, Nonprofit and Charity Organizations. Multimedia producer or some sort of Digital Storyteller through Photo Essays.
Environmental on-location Portraits.
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