Passionate about photography, Christian Gonzalez recently received an email from Google that deserves to be highlighted. The Vaudreuil-Dorion resident has been advised that the snapshots he adds to Google Map have just passed the 15 million views mark.
(Photos Christian Gonzalez)
(Photos Christian Gonzalez)
(Photos Christian Gonzalez)
(Photos Christian Gonzalez)
(Photos Christian Gonzalez)
(Photos Christian Gonzalez)
(Photos Christian Gonzalez)
(Photos Christian Gonzalez)
Christian Gonzales never leaves the house without his camera. For him, a simple grocery shopping trip can end in a photo shoot. Sometimes the few minutes it takes for an errand can turn into a few hours. Mr. Gonzalez takes pictures every day. His personal collection holds 33,000 files.
Over time, Christian Gonzalez has put approximately 2,500 snapshots on Google Map. For him, it is a way of making people discover the region and obviously a way of sharing his photographs across all continents.
“When a location is identified on Google Map and I have the photo, I share it, he says. I know that my photographs taken in Vaudreuil-Dorion have been seen in Africa, Europe and all over the world.”
The bond between the IBM retiree and Google is special. When views of his photographs reached five million, Christian Gonzalez received an invitation from Google management.
“I was invited to the Google facility in California, confirms the individual in question. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go because I had another engagement. Maybe one day the opportunity will present itself again. Google is a good company.”
A real passion
Christian Gonzalez does not seek popularity. For him, photography is a passion. Although his talent is undeniable, he admits that his primary goal is to show how beautiful is the region he lives in.
“With my photographs, I try to make people smile. Just holding my camera in my hand is a form of therapy for me. I devote several hours a week to photography. In the summer, I can get up at 4 a.m. just to take a picture of the sunrise.”
YouTube
Self-taught, he perfected his skills behind the lens by listening to tutorials on YouTube. But, like most enthusiasts, he regularly purchases equipment.
“It’s a vicious cycle, says Gonzalez. When I make a little money with a contract, often the amount is reinvested in the purchase of new equipment. However, do not think that in order to take pictures you need the best of cameras. In my opinion, the most suitable camera is the one the person has in their possession when there is something to photograph.”
