Gonzalo Contreras del Solar

Photographer dedicated to portraye Water.

It was late 1955 when my eyes peeped at the city of La Paz near the high Andes. Since then, they have learned by capturing sparkles of light.

The influence of Ansel Adams perfection and the impressionism colors such as Vincent Van Gogh work has forged my technique to pursue the chase of Water and capture its beauty. While visiting more than 40 countries and living in 10 of them, have now settled at the small town of Calera de Tango in Chile.

My work is done using film in a medium format, as well as digital cameras. Capturing the beauty of water in all its forms; denouncing many times the little interest that our civilized world invests in its conservation and preservation. Printing mainly on large size fine art photographic paper, for Color as well as Black & White; lately using ink based printing and fine art digital paper.

Water, an important resource, source of life, and protagonist of my exhibitions around the world, that converge between the look of the paused movement, preserving it for future generations, as is the case of certain images that I took at a glacier that has disappeared during the last 20 years. Other images are non-repeatable due to nature effects.

Started oil painting and playing in darkroom at the age of 10, later taking pictures of what my eyes noticed. Took as much photography courses as I could, forging my technique and creating the Water portfolio. Still continue investigating, learning, and using new digital tools.