Milena Villalba. Woman Photographer
23/10/2018.
Architecture Women Photographers in Spain Series. 10/11
metalocus, JUDIT OTERO
metalocus, JUDIT OTERO
Milena Villalba is a young architecture photographer, trained as an architect and also as a photographer. Her work is developed in tandem with Santi Vicente, who works on post-production issues, and with Ana Asensio, who develops communication topics, publications and project reviews.
Observatory works of urban environment - Grupo Aranea. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
Philharmonic Hall of Szczecin (Poland) - Barozzi Veiga. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
Fintrobank extension (Belgium) - Rik de Vooght Architecten. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
Tino House - Emac. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
01 Toto house series - Aranea Group. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
02 Toto house series - Aranea Group. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
03 Toto house series - Aranea Group. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
House in the Maigmó - Alfredo Payá. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
BSB Wineries - Crux Arquitectos. Photograph by ©Milena Villalba
10 ish03 - Nomarq Estudi d'Arquitectura. Photograph by ©Milena Villalba
Observatory works of urban environment - Grupo Aranea. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
Recovery Cloister Palau-Castell de Betxí. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
Philharmonic Construction of Toruń (Poland) - Fernando Menis Architects. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
El Muez bookstore gastro-bar - The Blue Roof. Photograph by © Milena Villalba
Milena Villalba came to architecture and photography almost out of sheer contradiction, as she commented in a text initially included in our questions: "When I was little I hated the camera, because I did not like being photographed, and at school, the subject of technology, I got the thousand evils when they talked about construction, I started architecture thinking that I would be an architect, and photography without any intention of being a photographer." It is a statement that she has used on other occasions, which also shows the hustle and bustle in which she usually develops her work, without much free time.
When we ask her about the references she mentions are well known, although after looking a bit at her work we discover that there are some that have also unconsciously influenced her, since she has collaborated as a correspondent in the international art and architecture magazine Arqtist Magazine directed by a veteran and excellent photographer, Mayte Piera.
In just three years, since she was professionally launched into the world of photography, she has generated an intense career. She is clear that her work is that of an independent professional and she is also clear about some stereotypes about public institutions and what they should do to help young entrepreneurs like her. Her work is focused on architectural photography, although she also makes assignments to large companies that invest in "advertising". With that same range of clarity, she understands that not everything is the same and that photography for real estate, interior design photography and architecture photography, have different objectives and languages.
Milena Villalba, methodical organizing her work as a team, is a young enterprising photographer with the desire to conquer the world and to build a solid path in this strenuous work of the image.
When we ask her about the references she mentions are well known, although after looking a bit at her work we discover that there are some that have also unconsciously influenced her, since she has collaborated as a correspondent in the international art and architecture magazine Arqtist Magazine directed by a veteran and excellent photographer, Mayte Piera.
In just three years, since she was professionally launched into the world of photography, she has generated an intense career. She is clear that her work is that of an independent professional and she is also clear about some stereotypes about public institutions and what they should do to help young entrepreneurs like her. Her work is focused on architectural photography, although she also makes assignments to large companies that invest in "advertising". With that same range of clarity, she understands that not everything is the same and that photography for real estate, interior design photography and architecture photography, have different objectives and languages.
Milena Villalba, methodical organizing her work as a team, is a young enterprising photographer with the desire to conquer the world and to build a solid path in this strenuous work of the image.
What led you to the photograph? Why architectural photography?
I guess it’s a classic, you are an architect and you like photography. In this sense, I have to say that I also trained as a photographer at the School of Art and Superior Design of Valencia, where I was lucky to have very good professors. My photographic view would not be the same if I had not passed by there. I think it released me from many prejudices. Sometimes it is necessary to go away and come back.
A photographer that you consider a reference?
I think if I have to say one, IwanBaan would say, I like the idea of capturing what happens in spaces and around them, which should be the last end of architecture, more than pure formalism. On the other hand I love the work of Changing New York by Berenice Abbott, the atmosphere that it collects. Well, Hélèn Binet has also inspired me a lot, I think his photos are pure poetry. I also drink a lot of what I see that is done visually in series and films, especially in the current ones: the use of color and light, postproduction, etc. I think that the cinematographic direction in cinema has a lot to do with architectural photography, it gives me the sensation that more than other fields of photography, but maybe I was wrong and I see it that way because it is where I am approaching.
Build photography, ideas, inspiration? What do you prefer to capture spaces or create places?
Both, for me, are two extremes that touch each other. I guess that capturing spaces is understood as something more 'casual' or 'spontaneous', and creating places is more related to a lesser degree of truthfulness, but I believe that places are always created with photographs, nobody can escape from it, and much less a photographer, another thing is the awareness that you have about it.
Your first camera? And now?
My first camera was a digital compact Lumix. I currently work with a Canon Full Frame and tilt and shift lens. However, I am not a fan of cameras or lens, I believe more in the look, although obviously a minimum of equipment is necessary.
Is there a photograph that you would have or would like to make?
All I have left to do.
More information
Milena Villalba Montoya
Milena Villalba Montoya. Milena Villalba is a professional architecture photographer. She graduated as an architect at the UPV (Polytechnic University of Valencia, 2012), and later in 'Artistic Photography' at the EASD (School of Art and Superior Design of Valencia, 2015).
She works regularly in the Valencian Community, but her work map extends to other areas of Spain and countries such as Belgium, Holland, Italy or Poland. She has made several solo exhibitions, and taught various workshops in festivals and events such as Intramurs, elCASC, IFAC, Etsatopía or Transforma.
She has published both nationally and internationally, in digital media such as METALOCUS, Designboom... and in printed publications such as Architektur Fachmagazin (Austria), Arquitectura Viva (Spain), Architektura & Biznes (Poland), etc. She was a correspondent for the international magazine of Art and Architecture Arqtist Magazine, directed by the also architectural photographer Mayte Piera.
Currently, she works in partnership with Ana Asensio, together they are Ediciones Mínimas.
She works regularly in the Valencian Community, but her work map extends to other areas of Spain and countries such as Belgium, Holland, Italy or Poland. She has made several solo exhibitions, and taught various workshops in festivals and events such as Intramurs, elCASC, IFAC, Etsatopía or Transforma.
She has published both nationally and internationally, in digital media such as METALOCUS, Designboom... and in printed publications such as Architektur Fachmagazin (Austria), Arquitectura Viva (Spain), Architektura & Biznes (Poland), etc. She was a correspondent for the international magazine of Art and Architecture Arqtist Magazine, directed by the also architectural photographer Mayte Piera.
Currently, she works in partnership with Ana Asensio, together they are Ediciones Mínimas.
