On the occasion of Can Picafort's Duathlon we had the opportunity to talk with Caty Pons, for us, one of the best sports photographers that we have in the Balearic Islands!
How did you start in the world of photography, what had awoken your interest?
My father always had photo cameras at home and he let me take pictures, but when I started loving it, was when he bought a Polaroid Sun 600, the truth is that it took a week to see the result of a photo and then, with the Polaroid, within 5 minutes I had the result ... and that, for a girl of 8 or 9 years, at a time when we did not have the technology we now have, it was amazing!
Sports photography was always your first option?
No, I had never done before sports photography, I had taken fotos of some sports events because some friends were participating in it, but I had never dedicated to sports photography, and if I have to be honest I still do not consider myself as a sports photographer.
What was your first camera and what camera you have now?
My first camera was a Kodak but I do not remember the model, but I remember well that it was a gift from my father to my first communion. My current camera is a Nikon D3100.
Do you remember what your first photo was?
No way! I do not remember, but I imagine it was a family snapshot.
What's your best photo?
Uff, I don´t know what to say, there are so many that it is very difficult for me to select one.
What do you do with all the photos you have taken throughout the year? How much gigabytes of data do you have?
Well, the first 2 years (I've been in this business now for five years) I kept them on a hard disk, in various pen drives and on the computer, now I keep them on my computer for a few months and then I delete them. I have four cards, one of 16GB, 8GB, 4GB and 2GB for the cameras.
What is for you the best race in Mallorca?
Uff, it's hard to tell you because I cover all disciplines (triathlon, trail and city race) but I would say the UTST (Ultra Trail Serra de Tramuntana) because this year has been much controversy with this race and I am very sad that the guys who original organized it are no longer taking part of this race. But again there are many more who can take that place
Which race would you never let down?
Any race, which is for a charity purpose.
Any dream concerning the photograph or a special event that you like to do?
Better not! The truth is that I would get nervous attending an event where everyone knew a lot about photography and asked me (I do not remember well the names and I mess with shutter, ISO and those things)
Do you know many athletes? Any Balearic athlete you admire?
Yes. The one I admire is Miquel Capo, he was the first athlete I met, and when my friend Juanjo talked about him, he seemed to be inaccessible like Messi! But after a few months of being in this business I met him and I can say that we are friends now. As it turns out he is super easygoing, and a charming person.
Do you preactice any sports yourself or which one would you like to do?
As a child I did a lot of sports... skating, ballet, athletics and basketball. Currently I'm going to start running again.
Why do you do it?
Because I gained 20kg and now I need to loose them! (laughs)
Is there any photographer you admire or you follow?
Yes, Rafa Babot, I love his sports photos.
Have you ever calculated how many photos you have taken since you first started?
Yes, 302 534 fotos
Your motto?
That all participants have a photo from the first to the last, in any race.
What is the essence of your photos? What are you trying to capture?
I like to capture "moments", a look, a gesture, a smile. I love to portray the arrival of an athlete with his children, or the last runner arrives at the finish.
Did you receive support of the people?
Yeaaaaaah (very long!), And that is very important, even in bad times they helped me a lot.Recently you had a problem with a warranty and we saw that many people immediately have been mobilized to help.
Recently you had a problem with a warranty and we saw that many people immediately have been mobilized to help.
Yes, my lens broke down and the warranty refused to repair it. I could not buy another one until March. I feel cheated by the company and published it, a kind of protest. The result was that the people were mobilized to buy me a new one. Ultimately, it went so far that the sports representative from El Corte Inglés gave me one as a present, like I had, and the group that had started collecting for me, gave me a flash. The truth is, I am very grateful to all, for this gesture, it really touched me!
You can follow Caty and her work at her facebook page
