by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 17th of November 2025

For Joana Dueñas, photography is a way of connecting with like-minded people. She is passionate about travelling with her camera, getting lost on roads and beaches, and exploring new places. While she is captivated by landscape photography, she is also drawn by wildlife photography. The camera enables Joana to capture a moment in time; she likens it to a painter's canvas. Later, she can recreate the scene according to the feeling or emotion that arises from the memory. Let's wander together through her body of work and discover more about this talented artist.

‘Soft sunrise R2 A658315P.jpg’

First of all, I would like to thank the entire 1x team, especially Yvette, for her dedication and tireless efforts to find new opportunities for all members.

My name is Joana Dueñas. I am 75 years old and retired. I worked for a multinational company until I was 50. Later, my partner and I joined forces and set up an import/export company specialising in organic products.

‘Pink sunset ni the fjords 7S5724

Although I was born in Barcelona, I have lived on islands for most of my life, and still do. In 1970, I moved to Tenerife. Thanks to my job, I was able to visit and explore all the islands of the Canary Islands archipelago in depth. Thirteen years later, I swapped the Atlantic coast for the Mediterranean. I've lived in Ibiza, the island of nightclubs, for over 35 years. Yes, it's famous for its nightlife, but it's also a little paradise of light and colour for those who know how to appreciate it. I spent nine years in Munich for work.

‘Defense tower “Es Garroveret” A7305472

‘Siesta time 7R43045

I have been interested in photography since childhood. When I was around 7 or 8 years old, I used to 'steal' my mother's camera (a Capta that I still have). I was thrilled to discover that I could capture flowers, mountains, friends and sisters with a single click, and I kept those black-and-white prints in a box as though they were treasures.

‘Beauty sunset light A6506922’

Although I had some opportunities to develop a career in professional photography, I didn't pursue it. I preferred to keep photography as a private hobby, especially in the '70s when I often went out or travelled alone. I also enjoy travelling both outside Spain and within this diverse country where I was born. Every morning, I walk around my house, along beaches that can only be accessed on foot, through forests and so on, enjoying the sunrise — especially in summer — and the feeling of the cool water on my skin is relaxing and delightful.

‘Galloping in the sea A730589'

‘Walking among lavenders A739320'

Silence is overriding to me. The iridescent colors of the sky at dawn and dusk fascinate me, as do the sounds of life in the countryside. I love to stop and look around, to experience the moment without rushing… this is how I live each day.

Another passion of mine is take care of the garden in the property where I live. All these activities keep me active to continue seeking new horizons and sensations. Of course, reading is another of my hobbies, to which I dedicate time daily.

Taking a picture of a scene unfolding before me and later reliving it at home, indulging in the creative process of developing and processing the image and the message I want to convey, makes me happy.

‘Somewhere in Iceland 75856’

Furthermore, photography connects me with like-minded people. I'm passionate about travelling with my camera, getting lost on roads and beaches, and visiting unknown places. I love sharing these experiences with my partner, friends, and sometimes alone, turning them into intimate moments of solitude with my camera as my only companion. In this state of total concentration and meditation, time doesn't matter — only the sensations I experience.

Therefore, while the landscape captivates me with its shapes, colours, textures and feelings of peace and joy, I am also drawn to the slowness of change and the contrast of wildlife with its rapid transformations in a scene. This is the crucial moment when you have to be completely in the 'here and now' so as not to miss those instants that will never be repeated. This type of action/wildlife photography requires a state of focus.

‘Spring time!! Panthera Tigris 7R54380’

I don't usually take a computer with me when I travel. I believe that photos should be allowed to rest for a few days, months or even years until the need to develop them arises. As Ansel Adams said, 'A photograph isn't taken, it's created.' Then I allow myself to be carried away by the creative process.

The camera allows me to capture the instant; I would say it's like the painter's canvas. Later, I can recreate the scene according to the feeling or emotion that arises from the memory, using brushes to add colour and light, if necessary.

‘Indifferent A677341’

‘Riples at sunrise in Castro de las gaviotas 7R3640’

I strive for perfection in both the shot and the subsequent development and processing. Having come from the analogue era of photography, I have no issue with the transition from the 'darkroom' I used until the '90s to programs dedicated to image development and processing, such as Adobe Photoshop and Luminar, or the use of filters. These sophisticated tools save time and money, and most importantly, eliminate the need to work in a darkroom surrounded by the smells and chemicals of analogue developing.

I generally start the development process in Camera Raw by making slight adjustments to the light, colour, noise, horizon, and so on. Next, in Photoshop, I crop the image and start processing it, depending on what the image needs. I usually use filters from the Nik Collection and Luminar Neo. I apply these filters and the rest of the adjustments according to the zone system. The TK panel (Toni Kuyper) is another one of my favourite tools.

‘El Gavieiru beach A734397P’

‘Water fantasy 7R51596’

Living on an island means that travel abroad has to be planned well in advance, as you always have to factor in the cost of a flight or boat journey to the mainland or your destination. In three days' time, I'll be setting off on a trip through the autumnal birch, beech and oak forests of central and northern Spain. I prepare alternative routes or a 'plan B' in case the weather is poor. When planning a trip, I usually consult specific apps and the work of other photographers on social media. I also ask colleagues who have already been to the same places and local photographers at my destination. At other times, I let myself be guided by intuition and simply look at what's around me.

In wildlife photography, knowledge of your equipment is the most important thing for success, as well as patience. There are signs that a bird will take flight, but it may or may not happen, so you have to be prepared. We know a leopard is at the top of an acacia tree, but we only see its tail. We can spend two or three hours waiting for the animal to move, but it may not. It may have hunted and eaten and be satiated. We have to keep waiting, and sometimes that wait is rewarded not only with unexpected images, but also with moments of bliss.

‘Rainy sunrise at Walchensee 7R20725’

My equipment consists of a Sony A7R5 camera as my main camera, which I use with a 14-14mm Schneider Kreuznach Samyang full-frame f/2.8 lens. I also use a Sony 70-200mm G OSS II f/4 macro lens and a Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS telephoto lens.

My second camera is a Sony a6500 (APS-C) with a 16–50 mm lens.

I also use magnetic neutral density and polarising filters from Mavenfilters. My tripods are a Leofoto LS365C with an Acratech ball head and levelling base and a Vanguard travel tripod with an Arca-Swiss head. I also use my smartphone to create short reels, preview shots, etc.

‘Aerial view above the Sant Tomas Chapel DJI0372’

‘Breakfast time! 7R53816’

Ever since I got my first camera, I've been following the work of several photographers. Ansel Adams is, of course, a key influence; his approach to developing and emphasising light and contrast is very important. Other influences include Henri Cartier-Bresson, renowned for his street photography, and Michael Kenna, whose vast landscapes of the Japanese mountains and steppes are also notable. William Patino (williampatino), Javier de la Torre (javierlt), Ryan Dyar (ryandyar), Marc Adamus (marcadamus), Marina Cano (marinacano) and Nigel Danson (ndanson) have all contributed to my exploration of colour and the digitalisation of development and processing.

This winter, I set out to create a black-and-white photo book on the island's traditional architecture, focusing on rural areas of Ibiza. It will feature traditional Ibizan farmhouses and churches.

‘Romantic sunrise in Kushiro 7R5147’

I feel very comfortable on 1x because I believe that, on this artistic platform, we develop a vision that goes beyond photographic technique. We're showcasing our inner selves, and successfully publishing on 1x marked a significant milestone in my development as a photographer.

Thank you for offering me this interview opportunity, which has allowed me to share my thoughts with the 1x community — an opportunity I deeply appreciate.