Anonym / Tuesday, May 9, 2017 / Categories: MPI NEWS

Interview with Erich Caparas

MPI 2016 International Image Challenge Winner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the last year Erich Caparas has swept many tittles Internationally including the MPI 2016 IIC TOP Photographer of the Year with the Master Photographers International Organization. Erich Caparas turned into a photographic legend within a few months accomplishing what no other photographer has been able to accomplish in such a short period. From his incredible work, you can see why he was honored with so many awards.

Erich Caparas submitted into 4 Categories into the MPI 2016 IIC and was successful in achieving the following honors.

Master Photographers International TOP Photographer of the Year with his Commercial submission.

Master Photographers International Commercial Photographer of the Year

Master Photographers International Digital Illustration Photographer of the Year

Master Photographers International Portrait Photographer of the Year

Not only did Erich achieve the above awards – he also achieved 11 Best is Class Awards

WOW what an achievement!!

Erich joined the MPI Organization in 2016 and jumpstarted into the Organization as Master Photographer in Commercial – MPC Designation and is working towards earning more Master Designations to achieve the highest honor – Grand Master Photographer.  

We asked Erich a few questions regarding his 40-year career path and how he feels in being named the Overall TOP Photographer of the Year with the MPI 2016 IIC along with three Photographers of the Year in Commercial, Digital Illustration and Portrait.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in your photography career.

I’m Erich Caparas. I have been a frustrated artist and always want to be an airbrush artist. I see images in my head that I want to put on paper. My problem, which later on became my asset, is I lack patience. I also lacked and unwilling to learn the skill sets needed to be an airbrush artist. I always admired the photographic look airbrush artists can create. Without patience and skills, photography became my vehicle to getting close to creating the visions in my head. My impatience became an asset because, in spite of me being a perfectionist and detail oriented, I developed techniques on pre and post processing that takes minutes instead of hours. These are the same techniques I share in my workshops.

2. How long has your photographer career spanned for?

I started in 1977. 40 years and I have kept up with the times. I saw the shift from film to digital. From darkroom to Photoshop.

3. What do you enjoy the most of being a professional photographer?

I didn’t enjoy being a professional photographer because I did what I was told or paid to do.  That’s also one of the reasons I quit in 2000 when everything became digital and everyone was a photographer and an art director. I picked it up again in 2012 on the condition that I will only create images I want to create. And that is exactly what I enjoy doing as a photographer.
 

4. Do you have a memorable or favourite assignment or capture that was inspirational for you?

My tribal shoot organized by my friend Mehdi Moussaoui is by far the most memorable. So many top-notch professionals volunteered their time to create such an epic image. One of the image from that series is my winningest photo of 2015.

5. If there was one thing you could change about your career and how you got to be such a successful photographer, what would it be?

Nothing. Apparently, what I did worked so why change something that’s not broken?

6. When entering the Master Photographers International Image Challenge and other higher end competitions, what is the process of selection for your images?

I study 3 elements of the competition. The judges, the past winning images, and my competitors. Then I select my image accordingly and re-edit them per, what I believe would be, the judges’ taste.

7.  What is your vision for your career going forward? Will you change what you have been doing or continue on your current path?

I focus on something different every year. This year, I want to look more into exhibiting and selling my existing images. I’m looking for a good agent/manager who can help me with this.
 

8. And finally, how did you feel winning Top Photographer along with 2 POY and all the Best in Class awards with the Master Photographers International Organization?

Disbelief. When I join competitions, I like to do well but I keep my expectations low so as not to get too disappointed. I know there are a lot of very competitive photographers in the world so I know my chances of getting such winnings will be low. Winning those top awards puts you on cloud 9 for weeks and definitely makes all the hard work and sacrifices worth it. Thank youJ~~~

Erich now focuses Globally on training other Professional Photographers. If he is hosting a workshop in your area and you are looking at taking in and learning some skills, book early.

The MPIO 2017 International Image Challenge is NOW open for Submissions. Submission deadline is June 30^th, 2017. This MPI International Image Challenge is one of the most educational competition globally. It is open to both members of MPI and to Non-Members. You must be a professional Photographer to enter.

 

To Find out more – visit www.mpio.co