Imagine and Enjoy

Photography By Oskar Indio

Photographer Oskar Indio discusses the joy of freezing a moment forever, being inspired by the Canary Islands, and the importance of always, always, always creating what you like.

Canary Islands, Spain

How did you begin your journey as a photographer?

Since I was very young, I was always interested in the audiovisual world. I was fascinated by the idea that that by simply pressing a button, I could freeze a specific moment forever. There were always cameras in my house and I remember shooting anything I came across and anxiously awaiting the moment when the prints would arrive. I could spend hours and hours looking at the negatives, they seemed like the most amazing thing to me.

After years of analogue, my parents gave me my first digital camera and that was the beginning of an endless shooting and emotions.

What have you learned along the way?

That this world is about being up one day and down the next; That not everyone has to like what you and that you always, always, always have to do what you like and what moves you inside.

How did you start surfing?

Luckily, my connection with the sea has always been very close, I was born in a small town on the Murcian coast of Spain, Portman. Whether it was on the boat with my father, camping on the beach with my family or just hanging out with my friends, I was in touch with it. Despite being a coastal town, it's an area where waves are scarce, but one day I saw two kids surfing on "my beach" and I thought "I need to try that. I turned around and said to my parents "I want a surfboard", how much I have to thank you DAD and MOM.. that moment marked my life forever.

When did you start to merge surfing with photography? Why was it important to you?

Practically from the first day I started surfing, I remember going out to rest and grabbing the camera to capture those moments.those moments. More than important, it was comforting for me: To be able to freeze in some way, my way of seeing and feeling surfing, perspectives, magic lights… It made me, and makes me, feel very good.

Tell the story of one of your favourite images.

I like each person who sees my photographs to decide which one is their favourite and recreate that story in their head as it conveys to them: to imagine, to open their mind, and to enjoy. My favourite photograph and story is unpublished.

How would you describe your photographic style? what makes it unique?

I don't feel comfortable describing my photographic style, but the feedback I get from people who like my work is: UNUSUAL PERSPECTIVES, MELANCHOLIC, BREAKING AND HEALING.

I don't know if they are unique or not, I simply try to capture moments and convey something in each photograph. Moments and sensations that move me inside, hoping that they also provoke some kind of impact on those who see them. What is clear to me as UNIQUE is the feeling behind each shot.

As an artist, what things have you struggled with and how have you overcome those challenges?

Every day I struggle with the insecurity of others liking my work. The fear of not being able to transmit and not moving the viewer inside, that is the biggest challenge I face every day. I firmly believe that the day my photographs do not transmit, will be the day that PHOTOGRAPHY IS ABANDONING ME.

In a way, I believe that those fears never fully go away. But thanks to all the people that day by day support me and believe in me, they get along much better. That is one of the biggest reasons that motivates me to keep creating. Thank you very much.

What is it like to be a surfer and photographer in the Canary Islands? How does it inspire you? What is the community like?

The Canary Islands are a real paradise. Surfing and photographing here is amazing. You always find a spot with perfect conditions and unique landscapes. Inspiration comes almost by itself. The simple fact of going out on the street and observing the contrast between the mountains and the sea provokes a storm of emotions in me. The Surfera Canaria community has an incredible level of surfing, and the photographers of the island are 10 of 10, each one with their own style and their particular way of seeing the sea. That's what I appreciate the most.

If you could surf and photograph anywhere in the world, where would you like to go and why?

If I had to choose just one place to photograph it would be PORTMAN without a doubt, although I would ask for more days of waves. But the truth is that, with or without them, it is a place that has a unique energy, and after all, I let myself be guided by the energies.