Experience

Generation XXY: Paris Nightlife As Seen By Rainer Torrado

Anton Shebetko July, 15 2019

Spanish photographer Rainer Torrado thinks that he is a part of the new generation — queer millenials. He photographs their parties in Paris — with kisses and smiles, stockings and cornettes, glitter and confetti.

Rainer Torrado

Madrid photographer, lives in Paris. Published his work in Vogue Paris, El Pais, Out Magazine, British Vogue. Exhibited his work in France, Spain, Germany, Canada, Great Britain, Hong Kong.

Website

— I bought my first camera in 2002 when I was a freshman at the Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid (ETSAM). It was a digital compact camera, I played with it quite a bit.

Later, I spent one year studying in Paris. I took photography lessons for a semester, and I improved my technique and learned to develop film. Soon after graduating I moved back to Paris and became a full-time photographer.

Most of my photos are shot in Paris, yes. Its nightlife is blooming right now: there are parties, people and places, new and old. But it’s been a while since my last nights out in Berlin or New York, so I can’t compare them.

I use the name ‘Generation XXY’ to talk about queer millennials. It’s also the name of my photo project about this community, a community I think I belong to. Diversity and fluidity are key concepts to define the lives, bodies, and relationships of the individuals of this generation. I have no idea what’s in store for them, but I can’t wait to see.

I have no idea what’s in store for them, but I can’t wait to see.

There are plenty of other clubs and communities that I am not documenting, which I wish I could explore. Sadly, I can’t be in two places at the same time.

I’ve never had a problem taking pictures at a club. Some parties don’t allow taking photos. In that case I play by the rules and leave my camera at home.

Very often people don’t notice me taking a picture. They’re dancing, flirting, or kissing, and I don’t want to interrupt. I don’t want to get in the middle of people having fun. From time to time, I don’t mind snapping a photo where people are posing. They’re usually my friends or people I know so we have time to try one or two things in front of my camera.

Every time I’m asked to delete a picture, I do it. Always. But it rarely happens. The reaction is usually the opposite: people will want to have my photos, they will ask where and when they can find them.

In my opinion, the key to making good pictures is to know what it is that you love, and go capture it with your camera. If you shoot what you love, your pictures should have some unique value.

Photography is an art, whether you consider yourself an artist or a photographer.

I rather focus on the notions of talent and ambitions: some days I feel more talented than ambitious, some days I feel more ambitious than talented. It’s an endless fight within myself.