La idea de Exito (The idea of success)
By Markel Redondo
Development is an ambition of societies, present since the appearance of our species, which is expressed in their efforts to adapt to the territory, transforming their habitat to ensure their survival. In such a way that their quality of life improves, if possible, on a permanent basis.
A healthy and natural ambition that leaves a trail of ideas, systems, structures, landscapes, and constructions, contemporary and ancient, that allow us to observe and invite us to reason about the objectives that each people has set for itself at each stage of history; what is, and was, the idea of success. However, humanity never satisfies the need to transform its ecosystem and sets itself new goals as soon as it surpasses the previous ones.
Since its invention, a large part of photographic production, and in particular that which qualifies as a photographic essay, has been devoted to studying with great effectiveness the way in which we try to adapt to our environment, or how we try to adapt to it.
Spain was one of the countries most affected by the 2008 European economic crisis. After almost four decades of dictatorial and post-war rule, the country became a model free market economy in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, attracting thousands of wealthy Europeans lured by the promise of affordable second homes in the warmth of the Spanish sun.
Economic growth continued into the early 2000s, based largely on cheap credit and a burgeoning real estate industry that fuelled intensive construction projects around major cities and coastal areas. The culture of private home ownership, fostered during the good economic times, was a seemingly achievable dream for many Spaniards.
However, with the collapse of the property market in 2008 many developers went bankrupt and banks accumulated billions of euros in bad loans. The resulting recession and dramatic rise in unemployment left
behind a landscape of desolation and unfulfilled dreams that still haunts the country today.
Markel Redondo is an award winning photographer (and filmmaker) based in the southwest of France and northeast of Spain. Specialized in editorial, portrait, and corporate photography with over 15 years of experience. When not traveling he works in nearby cities: Pamplona, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Vitoria, Biarritz, Bayonne, Bordeaux, and Pau. Originally from the Basque Country, he is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Basque. Since 2018 Markel is a fully AESA-approved drone operator in Spain.
A day before I was due to begin a degree at the University of Bolton, I decided Computer Sciences did not factor in my future and withdrew from the course to pursue a career in photography. From Bolton I headed East to China where, while studying for an MA in Photojournalism, I worked for a number of agencies, newspapers, and magazines. In 2007 I headed back to Europe, returning to my hometown Bilbao in 2008. Currently, I am based between Bilbao (Spain) and Biarritz (France) when not traveling abroad. I am represented by Panos Pictures. Since 2018 I am a fully AESA-approved drone operator in Spain.
My editorial and documentary work has been published in major publications such as Time, El Pais Semanal, Sunday Times Magazine, Le Monde, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Le Monde Diplomatique, L’Express, Financial Times Magazine, Stern and Neon.
My travel and lifestyle imagery has been seen in in-flight and travel magazines including National Geographic Traveler, Lufthansa, American Way, Wine Spectator, Monocle, and Celebrated Living.
I have been commissioned to provide photography and video for a variety of corporate clients such as Bosch, L’Oréal, or Agfa and organizations like Greenpeace, UNHCR, Ayuda en Accion, and WWF.
I speak Spanish, English, Basque, and French.
Specialties: Photojournalism, documentary photography and travel photography, portrait, editorial, commercial photography, multimedia, video, video journalism, videographer.
