“Documenting the flight paths of birds has become a cabinet of curiosities for me, not with new species, but with the invisible beauty of their movements.” ‒ Xavi Bou

Can you tell us a bit about how you became a photographer? And tell us something about your pictures.

Thanks to my parents' love for traveling the world, I had the opportunity to visit many places different from my place of origin. Since adolescence, I have been responsible for taking photographs on these trips. During these travels, we visited places where nature was the protagonist.

When I began my degree in geology, I realized that I also wanted to delve into photography. I wanted to go beyond documentary and travel photography, to explore the creative aspect of this medium and discover all its possibilities. So, parallel to my studies, I enrolled in a photography course which I attended at night. As a result of these studies, one of the teachers I had hired me as his assistant, and that's when I began my career in the world of photography. My work was primarily focused on the realms of fashion and advertising, with an emphasis on post-production and lighting.

Photo: Xavi Bou

Please share something about your images. What is your special interest? How do you choose the colors, composition, themes etc.? 

My goal as an artist is to capture those natural phenomena that I fnd intriguing and make them visible.

I've always been fascinated by the era of exploration, when new species and territories were being discovered. That sense of excitement and wonder about discovery is something I try to evoke in my work. While it's unlikely for a non-scientist to discover new species today, I strive to satisfy that longing for discovery by revealing hidden aspects of nature. Capturing the fight paths of birds has become my way of contributing to that sense of curiosity, akin to curating a "cabinet of curiosities," albeit not with new species, but with the hidden beauty of bird fight paths.

Photo: Xavi Bou

Where does this interest come from?

I grew up in El Prat del Llobregat, a city with a delta that is an important stopover for bird migration. My grandfather often took me birdwatching during my childhood. So, I've had a keen interest in nature since I was young, and it's something that has always been a part of me. Initially, it was separate from my work, serving as an escape route. However, I always knew that if I embarked on an artistic project, it would have to be related to nature, as it is my primary passion.

Photo: Xavi Bou

How do you get inspired? And what inspires you the most? Films, books, or magazines? Or what surrounds you?   

Contrary to what one might expect, it's life in the city, the cultural and social milieu, that inspires me the most, rather than nature alone. Though my interest in both natural and urban spaces has been crucial for my project.

I gather inspiration from various sources such as online articles on nature and nature writing books, as well as from visiting art exhibitions. Interestingly, Instagram also serves as a signifcant source of inspiration, connecting me with artists on a global scale.

What was your first camera?

My frst camera was a Canon AT1, which was originally owned by my father for his trips. I inherited it when I was around 10 or 12 years old.

Photo: Xavi Bou

What else should we know about you?  

My name is Xavi Bou, born in 1979 in Barcelona. I'm a father of two, with a background in geology. I've been working as a visual artist for almost a decade now, primarily focusing on exploring the movement of birds. However, in recent years, I've expanded my scope to include the movement of insects and plankton. My latest project, focusing on insects, was recently published in National Geographic in April. Moving forward, I aim to continue broadening my vision to encompass other groups of animals, showcasing the hidden beauty of the animal world.