He has dedicated his entire life to banking and, in his retirement, he exploits his great passion for photography, which he inherited from his father. Manel Serra, from Olot by birth, defines his photographic style as detailed and informative. So much so that one of the snapshots of him on the canoe that symbolizes the drought, taken in the Sau reservoir, was chosen among the best of La Vanguardia’s Readers’ Photos for the month of February.
How do you describe your photography label?
I look for the moment and photograph different things, that are not the typical postcard. For example, taking photos of a never-before-seen bird or this unpublished photograph of the canoe in the Sau reservoir. In the end, I look for something that, with very little, conveys a direct, clear and concise message. A photo that is too filtered sometimes does not convey what you want.
Do you have any particular and personal photography techniques you would like to share?
Whenever I can I take night photos: in low light, I try to set the appropriate parameters so that the object I want to capture is illuminated. I never use the flash in night photography because it doesn’t turn out well. I am also interested in portraying nature, and macro photography, up close, as I look for details more. Nowadays, detailed photography is valued much more.
Have you participated in any exhibition?
Here in Olot I did an exhibition with a painter friend and another alone. I have never been lucky enough to exhibit in a recognized museum, perhaps because I have not looked for it either, or the door has not been opened for me to do so. I would like to organize my own exhibition, beyond those I have mentioned.
Since when have you been doing photography? How did his hobby start?
I was about 11-12 years old when I went with my father to the coast, he left me his camera and told me to wake up and take photos. So, I saw where I was wrong and he taught me. I still have files of photos and videos of my father. We have both been fans of photography since we were very young, although it has never been our means of living, we have enjoyed this passion as kindred spirits.
An anecdote about my father is that, when there was a big snowfall in Catalonia in 1962, the photos that he had taken at that time were sent to TV3. When the 60th birthday of that snowfall came, in 2022, I saw one of my father’s photos published on television from that meteorological event where I was making a snowman. I was surprised to see myself on TV and I found it funny too.
On what occasions do you take analog photos and on which digital ones? Which one do you prefer more?
I would say half and half. Digital photography is a tool that allows your works to reach more people, since you can post the photos on social networks. I like to prepare a portrait as I please. It is very easy to take snapshots with the speed of the mobile. But, for example, if you have to prepare a shot of a bird with a specific position, it is preferable to do it with an analog camera. The result is much better.
If you buy a very expensive camera, you can take spectacular digital photos, but I have a SLR, with its limitations. When I have the files, I transfer them to the computer, and then I share them on the networks or take advantage and participate in a contest…
What is the most complicated photo you have ever taken?
All those at dusk or at night. For example, recently, at the Olot Carnival, I took a photo of a troupe in motion, without flash, and in the evening light. Adjusting the plane to fit me was very difficult.
Afterwards, it is also difficult to take portraits of animals, for example, birds: waiting for them to be in the right place and within “shot” to capture a good shot. Quite a challenge.
What inspires you to take photos in the Garrotxa area? What other sites or places are your favorites to take snapshots?
In Olot we have the Fageda d’ en Jordà, which during the autumn is beautiful, also some very red sunsets, the volcanoes, towns like Santa Pau, Els Hostalets d’en Bas, sanctuaries… The views are privileged and it is worth it take photos of everything.
I also like the Banyoles lake area: photographing the storks, the boats, the rowers… It is the second place I like most in Catalonia, after Olot.
On a trip I took to Andalusia, I was surprised by the passion of the people in the Holy Week processions, and I had no choice but to photograph it. In general, I like to take snapshots of all places, but especially popular traditions.
Natural or urban photography?
I am more interested in natural photography for the most part, but urban photography, such as photographing churches, also attracts me. Another of my passions is taking photos from above of the hot air balloons in the Garrotxa Natural Park. The views are brutal, every time I have gone up to a different one, I have had impressive photos. I would like to return. I did a report on it and shared it here in La Vanguardia.
In his photo of the Sau reservoir he reflects the serious drought that Catalonia is suffering from. Do you remember experiencing a similar episode throughout your life? What perspective do you see in the long term?
I remember that in the 90s, on more than one occasion, the entire church of Sau had been seen, but without the cemetery appearing between the waters. The current state of the swamp, which has reached 1% of the total capacity of the reservoir, I have never seen before in my life. It is very worrying that they are so empty, whether it is because of climate change or because hydroelectric plants empty the swamps, or because humanity changes and we do not worry about anything. I see a not very promising future.
Our generation has lived through a prosperous time, but what is coming now, with more and more wars, manipulation… makes us have a pessimistic vision. Therefore, we have to enjoy the little things, like nature, and it would be commendable to be able to preserve it.
Apart from the clear, almost apocalyptic message that your image of the drought in Sau leaves us, what else did you want to convey?
Many people asked me where I had taken the photo, because I didn’t take the typical one of the bell tower of the Sau church, which is where everyone takes it, because I don’t find the interest in taking the same photo replicated a thousand times. I focus on photographing different things. I think this photo makes you think, it projects an image of environmental poverty, but also of an uncertain future… Whatever each person interprets.
He has won several awards for his portraits, one of them in the Spain, Portrait of a Country competition, with a related interview published in La Vanguardia. What did it mean to receive this award? Why did you decide to show up?
Whenever I see a contest I go for it. Winning the contest with a photo of some human towers, representing Catalonia, and being from my city, filled me with pride, and I received very good comments and congratulations from people. That gave me more strength to continue photographing.
I also won another contest, in l’Hospitalet, for a photo that represented a boat making a reflection in the sea water in l’Escala. I try to improve little by little, looking for small details and, with them, letting the viewer guess where the photo was taken from or the reasons that led me to take it.
Share your photos on social networks, such as Instagram (@manelfotos, @manelfotos2). Are social networks important to publicize the work that photographers do? Do you do it for your own pleasure or to attract new followers?
For my own pleasure, so that people can see what I do. Social networks are a great tool, with their positive and negative sides, but in order to present your project it is an excellent means of promotion. People also criticize you, but improving the negative part that people tell you is very positive.
His portraits for this interview, posing with the photo of the Sau reservoir, were taken by his daughter, Laia Serra. Is she a lover of photography too? Does she work as a professional photographer or is she just her hobby?
From a very young age, Laia was very interested in photography. As my father had done with me, I taught him the basics of taking good portraits. And, since then, she has always taken photos of everything. Furthermore, since she is a mother, she enjoys taking snapshots of her children and her happy moments. It’s a hobby more than anything.
Do you edit your photos a lot?
As for editing, I retouch as little as possible. I use a more basic program than Photoshop: if they ask me for specific measurements, I adjust it, but I find that Photoshop is too complicated a program for me. I usually use a free app, Snapseed, where I can adjust the brightness of photos. To crop them, your computer already has this option built into the Photos app. I am not a big fan of faking images and doing spectacular things, I always want them to be as natural as possible.
Is there a photo you’ve always wanted to take but never had the chance to take?
Well, some photos of big sporting events: cars, motorcycles… Also some current ones, like a political rally. Any portrait that is unusual and that is of informative interest.
I ask you now about the Photos of the Readers of La Vanguardia, where you regularly share your photographs. How did you find out about the section and what reasons led you to participate?
One day, while buying La Vanguardia, I saw this new section, and I thought, it must be very difficult to send photos and compete against professional people or people with more talent in photography, but I decided to send a photo, and against all odds, you published it. I was very happy. Then, I saw that you published another of my reports in print and in Catalan. Since then, I haven’t stopped sending photos. That you published them in La Vanguardia has been an opportunity to explain what I want to convey.
I think this section is an ideal tool for people to learn about the work of photographers. In this way, I encourage everyone to not be afraid and send their projects. On the other hand, newspapers should never disappear, because they explain all the current events, whether on paper or digitally.
