Daniel Serva’s surreal self-portraits

Giulia Guido

Surreal, dark and fantastic, these are the characteristics of Daniel Serva‘s universe, a young Venezuelan photographer who uses images to express emotions and feelings that are impossible to describe in words.

The photographer immortalises himself in self-portraits in which, thanks to the editing phase and through photomanipulation, extraordinary and unreal scenes take shape, inviting the viewer to let himself or herself go and be carried away on a journey whose ultimate aim is to discover our most hidden selves.
And while his images may be intimidating and shocking at first, a few more steps into his imagery will be enough to make them impossible to resist.

A journey, that of discovering Daniel Serva’s artistic production, which starts from his Instagram profile and arrives at some of the most eagerly awaited appointments and events, such as ImageNation Milan.

In anticipation of the opening of the Milan appointment of ImageNation, scheduled for 24 September, we asked Daniel Serva a few questions and took the opportunity to talk about what we will see at the exhibition, but also about his path and what photography means to him. Don’t miss the interview below!

How you started approaching photography. Is there a particular moment that you remember?

I had my first encounter with a camera at 12 years old. My dad has always been fond of photography and used to take one with him to every family reunion and trip. In hindsight, I can remember a particular moment. I was studying at university abroad. And one night, alone in my apartment, I wanted to express in a drawing how I felt. But the drawing was not good at all. It was then that I thought of taking my camera and trying to create that scene in an image. I took my camera, took some photos, and then started editing. A somewhat dark photo came from there, but I still remember how liberating it was for me to create it. At that time identifying myself as a homosexual boy in a Latin American country was unthinkable to me and being able to capture what I felt and could not express in an image that screamed without words was liberating, since then I couldn’t stop creating.

Describe your photographic style. How did you get to this point of your career?

I’m attracted to creating the impossible, I love creating images with a surreal touch and sometimes a bit of humor. But always with the intention of immersing the viewer into a world where reality fades. And with the invitation to dive within themselves, to discover that we are much more than what the limited mind can understand.

I started learning photography on a self-taught basis by doing the 365 project (in which you have to create a new image every day for a year). Halfway through the project, more people began to follow it, Instagram interviewed me and published my work on their official account. After that, opportunities to work with agencies and large brands such as Adobe and Shutterstock began to arrive.

What do you want to tell through your shots?

The answer to this question changes as I do. At this stage of my life the pieces I create are a constant reminder that the concept of what we call “real” is relative, that the limited mind can have an idea of reality and can make us believe that we have to meet certain standards, to live a certain way. But no, there are no limits. And there is as much beauty in embracing darkness, as there is ugliness in light. Sometimes we want to live with only one side of the spectrum without understanding that both come hand in hand and are just as necessary.

For you and the shots you take, how important is the editing phase?

It is vital. Everything starts in my mind, with an idea, then I start looking for a location, props if necessary and then comes the taking of the photo. But that’s just the beginning because it’s here, in the editing stage, that all of the above takes shape. You could say that there are two stages. The search and collection of the base files and then the assembly or creation process on the computer.

A more technical question.
What equipment do you use to photograph and which programs do you use for post-production?

To edit I always use Photoshop and it will sound funny to you but I am currently about to retire my old Canon t4i. Everything I’ve taken so far has been with an old semi-professional camera. I’m going to miss it because I like to see the reaction of other photographers when they know that everything I have created so far has been taken with a very simple camera and with several years of use. I think the equipment you have helps a lot, but it is not the most important thing.

What will those who decide to visit the ImageNation Milan exhibition in September see?

ImageNation is always an invitation for the soul to take flight, it is a party of sensations and I am very happy to be able to participate for the second time. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the work of many of the artists who will be exhibiting in Milan and I am amazed at the sensitivity and technical mastery they show in their pieces. Is a must if you want to see the work of very talented established and emerging artists.