“Photography is a way to express emotions, feelings, concerns”

Since he was little, Josep Maria Nin was interested in art. His hobbies include painting, drawing and photography. In addition, he presides and participates in the El Cor Drassanes choir. Before he turned 20 he bought his first reflex camera and since then he hasn’t stopped taking photos.

He began to be interested in art thanks to his father. Like him, one of his daughters is also fond of photography and she points out that it could be her fault.

Now one of the best photographs from Readers’ Photos The vanguard of the month of May bears his signature. Specifically, the northern lights that he portrayed in L’Escala.

Why did you take the photo in that specific place?

It is a place that is close to home. It’s here in Empúries. I knew the night would be dark there. At home we took some photos, but there was light pollution. On the other hand, the sky was black there, so the photograph would turn out better. A photo next to the sea lends itself to being beautiful. And, then, I brought the tripod, I brought the camera and with patience, I changed the exposure time until the photo came out.

How did you feel when you saw the northern lights in L’Escala?

A very great emotion. That there were auroras and that later on social networks They began to send messages that they could see the northern lights, especially here in the Empordà, it was an incredible emotion. Also, in the polar circle, Iceland and such, it is a rather whitish, greenish phenomenon, right? However, here you saw everything red, and later from the weather news we found out why. Because of the infrared and electromagnetic waves that arrive, well, those things are physics. And it was a very great emotion.

The fact that there were northern lights was a great emotion.

Josep Maria NinLa Vanguardia Readers Network

What led you to share photography in ‘La Vanguardia’?

The vanguard He had already published something to me. Letters to the editor, some reports, some photographs. I remember some photographs of La Vall d’Hebron. It was the hospital in a pandemic and it was a way to thank the healthcare staff for their dedication in such a bad time. And I thought: “It’s a cool photo, I’ll send it to TV3 now.” The vanguard”. Logically, TV3 received a lot of very good photos and The vanguard He wanted to highlight mine.

And how did you find out about Readers’ Photos?

For this vocation that you have in The vanguard to seek reader participation. The vanguard It announced that there would be a participation section with photos and when I saw it, I decided to send the one from the La Vall d’Hebron hospital during a pandemic. They published it and I already had the idea that if I had a nice photo I would send it to The vanguard. Furthermore, I already knew the participation section, for example, they published the report A hug of light that crosses borders.

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Your photograph of the northern lights has been selected as one of the three best of the month of May by Readers’ Photos. How do you feel about that?

Well, I’m very flattered. As you have seen many incredibly good photos of auroras and other nature photos, which The vanguard choose mine is a source of pride. But, also, I humbly feel very flattered.

That ‘La Vanguardia’ chooses a photograph of me is a source of pride

Josep Maria NinLa Vanguardia Readers Network

As you said, many photos of the northern lights have been published. What do you think is special about yours?

Which is made next to the sea. And the red color of the sky is also reflected in the sea; it was also a day with calm seas that give a mirror effect to the sky. Therefore, it is curious that you see the red sky and, in addition, the reflection of the sea with the coast and the lights in the background, which give it a special appeal. But, wow, it’s clear that there are also very, very beautiful photos of the northern lights from other readers.

Do you think it could be selected as the best photograph of the year in Readers’ Photos?

I sincerely think not. I think there are photography professionals who know much more than me and I already feel lucky that the photo was highlighted in the month of May.

And as an event, do you think it could be the best one this year?

As an event of natural phenomena, I think so. I think it is a unique thing, which will hardly be seen again in many decades, it will not be able to be repeated in the short term. And well, it is an extraordinary thing. As a matter, let’s say, not natural, unfortunately in this world in 2024 we have very sad events that involve important photographs that stand out. But as far as nature is concerned, I think it can be the most outstanding element of this year.

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How did your environment receive seeing your photo highlighted in the newspaper?

Well, with great joy, it is a relevant fact that a medium as important as The vanguard highlight the photo. Therefore, of course, they congratulated me when they saw the news and wanted to read it.

How did your hobby for photography arise?

I started when I was very small. Already at that time I had something for photography and as a child and teenager I started taking photos. Later, when I was 18 or 19, I was working, so I bought a reflex camera. The truth is that I am a lover of photography, now today’s cell phones take very good photos, but this photo was taken with a mirrorless digital camera. And well, technology helps you get good photographs.

Now today’s cell phones take very good photos

Josep Maria NinLa Vanguardia Readers Network

You mentioned before that your daughter also likes photography.

Well, it’s that children follow their parents’ hobbies a little. And the truth is that she is a journalist and she is lucky to work as a journalist and she is also a very good photographer, I think she surpasses me. We both went to take photos and she has one that I consider even better than mine, here on the coast of Empúries. But she didn’t share it, and I told her: “send it to The vanguard“, but he did not want to.

What role does photography have in your life?

Look, I consider myself, I feel, a multifaceted person. I like the whole artistic theme. I like to paint pictures, I like to express my thoughts with writing. In fact, The vanguard He has published some chronicles or letters from readers, as well as some photographs. During the pandemic they published a report about the choir that I preside over, which is The Cor Drassanes. At that time we couldn’t sing in public and we did a concert without an audience with masks. So, within all this artistic expression, photography, for me, is also a way to express emotions, feelings, concerns and look for beauty in the things to photograph.

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Photography, for me, is also a way to express emotions, feelings, concerns and look for beauty in the things to photograph.”

Josep Maria NinLa Vanguardia Readers Network

So what kind of photos do you like to take?

Above all, I like to do landscape and nature photography. But I also like to take portrait photography, of objects or situations that go unnoticed by others, but instead, you see that there is a photograph there. I am a restless person, when I see beauty I like to photograph it.

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As for landscape photos, is there a particular place you like to photograph?

The sea. The sea for me is like a living being. One day it is blue, another day it is green, another day it is gray, one day it is angry and angry and another day it is calm. So, I really like everything about the sea. It is also true that I like nature a lot, greenery and mountains, etc. But everything that surrounds the sea captivates me.

Everything that surrounds the sea captivates me

Josep Maria NinLa Vanguardia Readers Network

Out of curiosity, have you ever studied photography?

No the truth is no. I guess since my father is also an artistic person and likes to paint, draw and photograph, well that sticks too. Just like me with my daughters, I have two, but one is a doctor and the other is a journalist. The journalist has developed a passion for photography and writing, which she also likes. Well, I’ve seen it at home and I’ve always liked it. I have never taken a photography course, when I retire I will.

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Would you like to dedicate yourself to photography?

No. I would like to learn more, but not to dedicate myself, I have other dedications apart from my usual job, since I preside over a choir, sing, etc. But devoting myself to photography, no. What I want is to learn more and be in groups of people who know more to perfect my photographs.

What I want is to learn more and be in groups of people who know more to perfect my photographs.

Josep Maria NinLa Vanguardia Readers Network

What do you dedicate more time to, singing or taking photos?

To sing. I am in three choirs of the Cor Drassanes association. And I have photography more as a hobby. Now, I have to say that I am also an Instagrammer and I upload a photo almost every day.

What do you prefer to take photos, the cell phone or the camera?

Let’s see, the cell phone is an easy medium because you carry it with you and immediately you see something and you photograph it. When you are specifically going to look for the photo, then I use the camera.

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Is there a technique that you like to use to take your photographs?

I usually take photos with my cell phone. When I have bought one I have chosen it based on its photographic capabilities, not because of memory capacity or other technology. I really like the subject of photography and since I already have a mirrorless digital camera, which has many features, I am exploring the capabilities of this camera. But don’t think I’m too over the top either. For example, if you tell me “today there is a full moon and it rises over the horizon”, well come on, we wait as long as it takes, you see the moon, you start doing tests and you can get a nice photo of the moon rising. And it’s beautiful, it excites you to see it and at the same time photograph it. Who says the moon, says the sun, in the morning, in a sunset… they are the most beautiful things that fill you.

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