Raul Armas on Capturing Quiet Moments and Nostalgia Through Photography

In my work, I explore the subtle, often overlooked moments that reveal the essence of places and people beyond their physical presence. Photography, for me, is a journey into these in-between spaces where time feels suspended and memories are quietly made. Each image is carefully composed, with an emphasis on light, form, and texture, aiming to transform familiar scenes into spaces that feel both intimate and expansive.

I believe in capturing the quiet beauty of everyday life, celebrating the nuances that make each scene unique yet universally resonant. By focusing on fleeting, transient experiences, I seek to evoke a sense of nostalgia—a reminder of moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. These captured instants hold an emotional weight that resonates beyond the image, drawing viewers into a shared reflection on the beauty and stillness that can be found in simplicity.

My work is an invitation to pause, to look closer, and to connect more deeply with the world around us. Through this process, I hope to offer a visual escape that brings a sense of calm and introspection, inviting viewers to find their own stories within each frame.


Website: www.raularmas.com
Instagram: @raul_armas_

Interview

What first drew you to photography as your main form of expression?

Photography came late into my life. I went to school for architecture and was always in tune with aesthetics and the way space around us affects our lives. Like many others, I struggled with anxiety post-pandemic. I would take long walks in the city to help relieve some of the stress. I started to bring a camera with me to document everyday life and things that caught my eye. Since then, the world has become a moving canvas and my camera a stencil to capture my views of it.

How do you approach capturing quiet, in-between moments in your work?

As I have become more involved in photography, I take it back to how it started for me. I try not to think about taking a particular photo or a particular concept. I let the moment be. When I started taking photos, it was mostly street photography—moments of everyday life that I would just happen to be there for. That’s the pureness and simplicity that I strive for in my work.

Light and texture play a big role in your photos—what inspires the way you compose each image?

Someone asked me this once before and I could not really answer the question. I look back at my work and I see that my background in architecture has a lot of influence in my compositions and how I perceive shapes, light, and shadow. When I first started, I would chalk up my ‘good photos’ to good luck. But now I just trust my eye, and it’s something that I tell others starting their photography journey. Don’t worry about composition concepts, just aim your camera at what catches your eye. If it’s good enough for your brain to make you pause and watch, that split second should be good enough to make a photograph.

Your work evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. How do you decide which scenes or subjects to focus on?

I tend to improvise a lot. My subconscious eye is often looking for scenes or compositions that resonate with my emotions. Nostalgia is a powerful emotion, one that brings a sense of being and a sense of place. Nostalgia is a powerful word—one that I never would’ve thought would be associated with my work, and for that, I am very thankful.


What emotions or ideas do you hope viewers take away from your photography?

There is a powerful moment when you realize that there is no present. Everything we see has already happened. It takes a split second for the photons of something you see to hit your eyes, therefore you are always seeing the past. A photo freezes this light, this passing moment. My hope is that I can bend this light by giving you a moment that can be interpreted in a different way, that can create new and different emotions.

Can you share a recent image or project that felt especially meaningful to create?

I am originally from Guatemala. The first time I went back to the house I grew up in, I took a series of photos around the house—from bookshelves to old family photos on the wall—it was an emotive set. There was a photo I took of my kitchen with beautiful afternoon light. I found an old photo of when I was 2 years old and my family was singing happy birthday to me. That same kitchen was in the background with the same light, 40 years later…

What are you currently working on or exploring in your creative process?

I am an introvert. Always on the shy side, photography has allowed me to become more outgoing. I am taking this new superpower and started to use it in portraiture work. It has allowed me to come out of my shell and helped me meet incredible people. Breaking this barrier allows me to get more comfortable behind the lens. I am also now more comfortable sharing how I do my work. I would often cringe at the thought of someone calling me a “photographer.” It would make me uncomfortable since I felt that it was disrespectful to those who are real photographers that took the time and effort to master their craft. I feel that I am now far along my journey that it doesn’t bother me anymore—it’s a compliment that means a lot to me.