Eleazar Lázaro is from Tenerife. He’s 29 years old and primarily works in photography and web design by vocation, although he studied Environmental Sciences and says he’s interested in many other arts and sciences. He visited Camping Camaleón in June 2018 and, to commemorate it, he sent us this wonderful selection of photos. We wanted to know more about his vacation in Los Caños and what camping under the trees means to him. That’s why we sent him these questions:

What kind of camper would you say you are?

>>I’m one of those travelers who usually organizes a lot of things at the last minute, but who is consistent and then enjoys the trip anyway. I try to take as little as possible, at most a DSLR, although less and less because of its weight and space (the photos in this selection were all taken with my phone). With the quality of phone cameras, it’s becoming less and less worthwhile to carry a large camera.

What would you say it’s like to wake up in a tent surrounded by nature?

>>I think human beings have an undeniable connection with nature. So, even though we have the same amenities (bed, shower, bathroom, and food), we feel better in nature than in urban areas without vegetation. The mass exodus from villages to cities in the last century is due to employment and economic issues, but I’m sure that, in general, humans are happier in rural and natural areas. So waking up in such an environment is a joy.

What time of year do you prefer when it comes to camping?

>>I’d say from April to October. Any time of year is good, but the cold and rain complicate the experience, so it’s better without those factors.

What made you come to Los Caños for the first time? And to Camaleón?

>>A friend is part of the Kampaoh team, who offer a different kind of experience at Camaleón. Kampaoh is available at more campsites, but this friend recommended that I come here. And we loved it! I’d never visited Cádiz and its surroundings before, and I had it on my mind.

What did you like most about your vacation?

>>The peace that permeated the entire town, the spectacular beaches, and the personality of the architecture. It’s also a small town that’s easy to walk, making it very convenient.

If you close your eyes and think of one of its beaches, or any other spot, which one would you recommend?

>>If I close my eyes, the photos I took there inevitably come to mind, hahaha! I loved the end of Castillejos beach, far from town, where there were very few people, under the shadow of a limestone rock face (there are some photos taken there in the selection, and in the one of the plane with the trail, you can see that rock face).

Tell us about your relationship with photography.

>>It was almost a sudden discovery. During my university studies at the end of 2008, when I was 19, I was lent a reflex camera for a few days, and I was amazed by the possibilities I saw. As soon as I could, I got one and spent the first year experimenting with it a lot. I took the camera with me whenever I made a new plan, especially on trips, and starting in my second year taking photos, I started taking some that I still like today (I can’t say the same about the previous ones, lol). It’s been nice to see the internal evolution of photography over time. A few years ago, I went through a period of transition where I stopped using the camera and considered where I was going artistically. And a year and a half ago, I started my second Instagram account, “@eleazar.lazaro2,” where I publish photos taken with my phone and which has provided a new boost to my creativity and my approach to photography. The photos I took in Los Caños are part of this new phase.

Your photos show a great interest in the fragments of light in each moment. Tell us where it comes from.

>>Well, I don’t even know where it comes from. I take photos without knowing what drives me to do them, and I analyze the result afterwards to understand myself, not the other way around (some people set out on a photography project and then look for shots that fit that idea). I’m particularly drawn to the lights, textures, and geometries I find spontaneously. I try to compose “pictures” taken from what I see, meaningful compositions that convey something to me and that I hope will convey something similar to those who see them. I don’t think it’s the most common type of photography.

The small details that can go unnoticed also stand out in your snapshots. What never escapes you?

>>Many people have told me that I pay close attention to detail, and I guess it shows in my photography. Looking through the images I take, I’ve noticed that water is an element that often catches my attention. Because it’s ever-changing and often ephemeral, each shot is unique. The way it transforms light, reflects other elements, and takes on organic shapes really appeals to me. Clouds and fog, bodies of water, are also often part of my compositions (fog less so because it’s not that common, although I wish it were!).

Which is your favorite photo?

>>Of the photos in this series, I’d say two: the one with the sundial and the one with the green caravan illuminated by the golden light of the sunset. The first because of its geometry, tones, and textures. The second because it transmits peace to me.

A piece of advice from camper to camper…

>>Take advantage of the change of environment and conditions to discover other parts of yourself and enjoy exploring them.

*You can see more of Eleazar Lázaro’s photographs at @eleazar.lazaro and @eleazar.lazaro2