Meet Elias Posada | Cinematographer & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elias Posada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elias, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
Since we last spoke I have had to consider this question a couple times. Giving up is something that I never take lightly. I have no intention to give up on my career as a whole, but the question really comes up on certain projects. When I start something I always intend on following it through to the end. That being said, there are times when we need to take a look at our mental health and decide whether the ends justify the means. I judge whether or not to move on from a project by determining if the problems are worth solving. My work relies a lot on the participation of others, and if I am not getting that participation in return, then it may not be worth pursuing. Collaboration is such a huge part of the filmmaking process, and there is no better feeling than when you connect with your fellow creatives. On the other hand, no project is worth sacrificing your mental health, so once the love is lost or you are finding it difficult to get the participation needed from your collaborators, it is probably best to walk away.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am really appreciative and honored to be featured again here. In my last interview I spoke a lot about my career as a cinematographer and what that path looked like. From my path as a cinematographer I also fell in love with photography. It started as more of a hobby and creative outlet, but I have been fortunate enough that people have reached out to hire me as a photographer.

The possibility of being able to make a secondary career out of something I love is very exciting to me. Much like cinematography, my path as a photographer is a lot of trial and error. Understanding lighting and compositions in a totally new and unique way. I also choose to shoot with film as much as possible and with that comes a bit of risk. I have lost rolls or realized my exposures are off. Mistakes happen and I try my best to avoid frustration and use them as learning experiences. Beyond being visual, my two careers are also similar in that they are very difficult to succeed in. Whether it’s finding work or learning the latest technology, there are no breaks. To help offset that stress I try to spend as much time with my wife and newborn son. They continue to teach me my biggest lesson, no matter what happens in my career they will always be there.

My brand is a little hard to pin down, because I am always looking to try new things. I always want to push the limits of whatever project I am on. The one constant through all my work is that I am trying to help people tell stories that might not otherwise be told. I believe that diversity of thought and experience is so crucial to us as a society and I want to contribute by sharing as many stories from underrepresented communities as possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This was the hardest question to answer last time! Los Angeles has such a variety of things to do. I often tell people that they may have to look for it, but everything can be found in this city. I usually recommend going to one of the seemingly hundreds of museums like LACMA or the BROAD. We are also in the town where cinema started, so attending a film screening at an arthouse theater. If getting outside is a priority there are hikes in Malibu or the Hollywood Hills. If they are feeling particularly adventurous they could take the short drive to the Angeles Mountains. And if they are into food, there is absolutely no shortage of amazing restaurants in all the neighborhoods of the city. It’s so hard to create just one itinerary, but if it were up to me, those would be the things I would include.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In the last interview I shouted out my family and the American Society of Cinematographers. Those two groups have still been a huge source of support for me and my career. To add to that, I want to shout out all my collaborators, whether it’s in film or photography, they always continue to push me and make me try things that might be out of my comfort zone. I know that is a broad answer, but there are so many people contributing to my story and I am so thankful for every single one of them.

Website: https://www.eliasposadacine.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliasposada

Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/eliasposada

Image Credits
Rigoberto Rodriguez Lira
Tanner Grandstaff