Oscar Valencia Q & As

Oscar Valencia is a self made photographer & filmmaker with a unique background. He enjoys capturing the waves from the sand but doesn’t doubt on entering into the break in a good surf session. Black and white pictures and barrels are his weaknesses and probably the majority of his pictures.

As we have just introduced a new creative collaboration with Oscar, we took the opportunity to ask him a few questions about his roots and inspirations.

Follow Oscar Valencia on Instagram.

• Hello Oscar! First of all, how are you doing? We are so excited to finally launch the collab together?

Hello, how are you? I am feeling very well, I am living a very nice time, especially now with the launch of our collaboration. I am very happy!

• Could you explain us a bit more where you come from and which has being your path?

I come from Irun, a city next to the French border, where I started surfing on the beach of Hendaye. It was a time when we didn’t know what waves there were, but where we got hooked on surfing. Then I changed the sea for the mountains where I spent a long time, enjoying and competing but I wanted to continue my life linked to the sea.

• Snowboarding and surfing from early age, how has this inspired your career?

Yes, I got into surfing when I was 13 but until I was 18 I could hardly go because I was playing football, until I decided that what I wanted to do was surfing. Then when I was 21 I did my first winter season and that’s where I got hooked and decided to enjoy the mountains for a few good years. Until I decided that that time was over and I wanted to feel the surfboard on my feet again!

• If you could travel to any place in the world to film, where would it be?

I haven’t travelled for a long time, but I would love to go to Hawaii or Mentawais. Ireland is also a destination I’m really looking forward to.

• We assume you must have incredible stories while filming with surfer. Could you tell us one of the best moments you remember?

Yes there are always good moments but also some not so good…ahahaha an incredible memory was in Teahupoo, while the biggest wave of the day was coming in, the ball of my leg went up, and I could hardly swim, there were tense moments but seeing the biggest and most beautiful wave I’ve ever seen in my life and being able to take a picture of it in front of my face, was a special moment.

• Do you have some new projects coming soon? Talk us about them!

I have some good projects to come, but right now I’m finishing a very special project about the erosion and textures of the mountain where I live. All shot in 16mm. I think it’s going to be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever done…but we’re also starting a nice project with Deflow and Clovis, where I’m sure we’ll do something very special.

• Could you explain us your filming and editing style?

Well, I consider myself to have a slightly different style of filming and editing, I come from the world of snowboarding, where every video transmits something to you, something that sometimes doesn’t happen with surfing, I try to go a bit further…. It’s very important to know what you want to film in order to know how you want to edit. I think that editing is where you can really make magic…

• Thank you so much Oscar for been part of Deflow Family! If you want to add something more…

I would like to thank you for counting on me and it is a pleasure to be part of this family.