How to make a book with Alberto

Madrid, February 2000 and 2024

Its been over 24 years now, since we had started the project of doing a book together. But after we separated, the negatives and contact sheets were stored away and forgotten about. Only a couple of weeks ago, when scanning 337 negatives in two nights in a row, everything came back alive again. And I decided to go back to Madrid to stay with Alberto and give it another go. As good friends who are passionate about photography.

The photographic project, carried out between 2000 and 2003, is a personal and intimate diary that represents an extract of my life with the character and my partner at the time, Alberto Garcia-Alix. It shows a time when analogue photography was still predominant, even if it was already in its last gasps.

During the first trip we made together to Budapest, in the summer of 2000, my first Hasselblad I had just bought was stolen, and without blinking twice, Alberto spontaneously gave me his in an act of immense generosity. I still have it to this day. But the greatest gift he gave me, apart from his friendship, companionship and love, was his teaching. From then on, my world existed only through the viewfinder of the Hasselblad 6x6 and the Kodak Portra 400 colours.

Our relationship began as a road movie, accompanied by the camera. Portraying each other, our friends and the world around us. Our intensity to squeeze the moment to the maximum like a lemon, which often hurt, kept us active and creative. It made us accomplices and enemies at the same time. The cruel reality of a complicated life has taken us far beyond what we had imagined. All based on creativity and love. The only thing that mattered to us.

From the beginning, I was fascinated by colour photography, where I found it easier to find my own photographic language, as Alberto's influence is evident and unavoidable.

Without being fully aware of it, I created a document that bears witness to an era that no longer exists. I recognise it especially in the images of Formentera - the place where we met and where I returned three years ago. Of course with that Hasselblad in my hands.