An architect by training and a photographer by passion, Flavio Roitman found in maturity a new language to express his view of the world. At 67 years old, the Rio-based photographer dove headfirst into photography starting in 2016, transforming it into a central activity in his life, ranging from incessant practice to theoretical study and active participation in photo clubs.
His essay “Depth Soundings“, a finalist in the Photo Essay category of the FotoDoc Photo Contest 2025, is a result of his search for expression during the pandemic isolation period. Created mostly within his own home, the work is a deep and metaphorical introspective dive. Through carefully crafted self-portraits, Flavio translates into powerful images an investigation of his own feelings and states of mind. The series represents a fundamental axis of his current production, serving as a valued path for externalizing emotions that has been gaining recognition in various circuits.
Follow the trajectory and insights behind this deeply personal and revealing work in the interview below.
How old are you? Where do you currently live and work?
I am 67 years old. I live and work in Rio de Janeiro.
Tell us about your journey in photography. When did you start photographing and why? What role does photography play in your life?
I am an architect by training. My first contact with photography was during college, in architecture books, with photos of works by architects who were our references. When I was young, I took some photos of buildings and travels and then set it aside. In 2010, I went traveling and started wanting to take photos again. But in 2016, I took my first photography course for beginners, and I haven’t stopped practicing and studying since. Today, photography plays a very important role in my life. I photograph, process my photos, study, watch films, read books, attend photo clubs, participate in contests, exhibitions, and many activities.
Imagem de Mergulho Interior, Ensaio de Flavio Roitman finalista do Prêmio Portfólio FotoDoc 2025
Tell us about your finalist work for the FotoDoc Photo Contest 2025. When and where was it created? What is its concept? How does it fit into your photographic practice?
During the pandemic, I was searching for a form of expression and decided to take some self-portraits. I liked the result and gradually refined my technique, seeking new ways to execute and add new themes.
I usually take the photos in my own home. For each new idea, I look for the most suitable location. In this essay, only one of the photos was taken in a hotel room; the others were taken at home.
The proposal, as I wrote in the submitted text, is a dive into the depths of my soul seeking to identify and recognize my feelings, to express them in the form of photographs.
Self-portraits are now an important part of my production, as they are a way to express my feelings and have been valued and well-received in contests and calls for entries.
What projects are you currently working on? What are your near-future plans for photographic production?
Currently, I have been taking street photos and creating some photomontages (without AI), in addition to continuing with self-portraits.
For the future, I intend to continue studying, producing, and improving every day.
