Photographer has spent decades taking pictures near and far. He’s captured bears in Alaska and beaches in Australia, mountains in Chile and temples in India.
More lately, he’s been focused on Denver, taking shots of buildings in the city where he recently opened a gallery on Bannock Street.
Marquez looks for unique opportunities when he clicks his shutter. He’s more likely to capture a building through its reflection in another building than to shoot it straight on. The result can be a photograph that places architecture in a real context — we don’t just see a structure, we see a city.
The photographer, who lives in the hills outside of Denver, has a new book, “The 24 Hours Before,” with stories about how he took 24 of his favorite photos on six continents.
He also has an exhibit, called “Denver: What You Might Be Missing,” at his place of business, conveniently named the Andy Marquez Gallery.
We asked him a few questions about how he sees the world.
Q: You seem to capture scenes other people miss. What’s your secret?
A: I walk a lot. When I do, I look all around as pockets of light change with the passing minutes. Recently, I have felt so connected with light changes that I see things I didn’t six months ago. Let the eyes travel with the light.
Q: You have taken many photos in natural settings and many in urban settings. What’s the difference?
A: I enjoy shooting different subjects. I went through the wildlife phase back in the ’90s with my snowy buffalo craze. Then I enjoyed going out, getting snowed on and snapping that shutter 10 feet from a big ol’ bison. Shooting landscapes is enjoyable because of where you are. Though I’ve done my share of European castles and Cambodian ruins, what I have found most challenging is the “what” right outside my gallery door. Treasure what you have been given.
Q: Do photos come easy to you?
A: If I went through my inventory of 28 years and split them into two categories: One, a planned shot, or two, a nice surprise, it would be about 90 percent to 10 percent. A planned shot sometimes happens on the first try, but not always. Sometimes you have to go once at it and hope you’re blessed. Often, one day is all you have and you take what comes your way with weather or whatever.
Q: What are your favorite places in Denver?
A: The most exciting photographic challenges for me were: , Sports Authority (Field), 1801 California, the Capitol — with the big banner on it — Civic Center, and on and on.
Q: Do you use film? Or are you strictly digital?
A: I began shooting in 1984 with a Minolta SRT101, 35 millimeter. In the early ’90s, I switched to a , and then to my Pentax 645 film camera in 1998. I still use it today, and though digital files of the images that will be printed have been made, there is absolutely no Photoshop in the collection “Denver: What You Might Be Missing.”
Q: Do you prefer to take pictures of people or objects?
A: I much prefer to take pictures of something that doesn’t move. All that changes is the light.
Q: Give us just a few words of advice on taking our own photos.
A: When going out to shoot, imagine what you’re looking at as a piece of your work. Use your fingers to form a frame around it. If you have the time, wait for the light, it will change, for better or for worse.
Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540, rrinaldi@denverpost.com or twitter.com/rayrinaldi
DENVER: WHAT YOU MIGHT BE MISSING. Photographer Andy Marquez opens a new exhibit showcasing his shots of Denver scenery. Andy Marquez Gallery, 1307 Bannock St. 303-797-6040 or .
