Preschelle Ann Bigueras

Dubai, UAE

Please introduce yourself: What is your name, where are you from, what do you do?

My name is Preschelle Ann Bigueras. Born 1991 in Manila, Philippines and currently dwelling and drifting in the diverse city of Dubai. I’m a photographer, though not by profession, who shoots mostly on film.

What is your relationship with photography, and how did you get into it?

It began way back late 2009, I saw online some photos that were shot with a Holga camera and was intrigued by it. I immediately bought myself one and started shooting film. Although I don’t use that camera anymore, I could say that it has a big impact on my photography because I never stopped taking photo since then. 

Photography keeps me grounded. It made me conscious of what I see and how I see things, people, and places. It’s part of my everyday life that even I don’t have my camera with me, I always try to look something photographic within my surroundings.

What do you think triggers you to photograph in a certain moment? Is it planned or solely driven by intuition?

It’s a mixture of two. While most of the time my style is spontaneous and just trust my gut where it leads me, some subjects require planning and a more considered approach.

What is the story you want your pictures to tell?

My photographs depict my perspective of the world around me. They are my visual notes from my observations and unexpected encounters in my daily life. Everything is a possible subject and we just have to look out for the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Which city would you like to visit the most, and why?

Baguio city. It’s a small city up north in the Philippines dubbed as the »Summer Capital«. It’s one of the few cool places in the Philippines and it’s where I studied and lived for 4 years. I would describe it as cold and bleak. Lately, I’ve gotten this nostalgic feeling to revisit, reconnect, and photograph the city where my photographic journey began. I photographed differently back then and now I’m interested to recaptured it with my new perspective.

What is your personal relationship to cities, and how do you perceive them as places in general?

From the cities where I live and have lived, I always try to form an immense connection to the place. To photograph a city and its people you have to had a sense of notion of them. Cities are sometimes overwhelming and make me anxious especially when I’ve lived there for a long time so I tend to give myself a break and go out from time to time.

What is the driving force behind creation?

Self-expression and feeling alive. With everything that I create, there’s always a part of me I put out there.

Which project did you never finish?

Temporarily I call it «Al Mamzar Beach» because it’s the place where all the photos were taken. The project is for a slideshow presentation that didn’t push through. I continued photographing the place since it kind of grew on me. I would say that is my favorite place in Dubai, my oasis in the desert. It’s still ongoing and I’m not sure when I’ll finish it, maybe when I leave Dubai for good.

What is that one thing you have never managed to photograph and is now gone for good?

All the unexpected moments that I’ve encountered and I didn’t have my camera with me. There are things that will never be the same even when you go back.

If you could travel back/forth in time, what advice would you give your younger/older self?

Travel back in time and tell myself to take photography more seriously.

What do you prefer saying: «to take a photograph» or to «make a photograph», and why?

«To take a photograph» is the one that I prefer because it suits my photographic style. I see something, I take a photo of it. Whereas, «To make a photograph» is something that I associate more with having a preconceived idea in the creation of the image and being involved in all of the process.

What is the most interesting experience you have had while photographing?

I guess I had the most interesting experience not during but after photographing. Some stranger messaged me on Instagram thanking me for showing my art there and that they enjoy seeing what I present. It’s interesting that someone takes interest in my photographs. I’ve just always been taking photos for my own pleasure and never imagined anyone would be thanking me for showing them.

If it wasn’t for photography, what would you be interested in doing instead?

I could never really see myself not doing photography, but maybe taking videos since it’s a bit similar to photography somehow.

How would you describe one of your pictures to a blind person?

By describing how I felt or what I thought the subject in the photo felt while photographing.

What are you currently working on, and—if there is—what is your next project or journey?

Currently, I call this project «Polaroid Postcards from Dubai». Last year, I got back into shooting Polaroids and finally figured out how to make the best out of it. I already shot a few and I’m continuing it these following months since the temperature’s dropping now and Polaroid film produces great colors at this time.

Thank you, Preschelle!

Editorial Notes:

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Photography: Preschelle Ann Bigueras (2022)
Location: Dubai, UAE

Links: Website, Instagram

Interview • 105 PH

Dubai, UAE

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