Travel photographer and NFT artist Eric Rubens is known for his sunset photography, sharing 50 sunset photos he captured over eight years in his Genesis NFT series 'Ocean Intersections.'
Each photo showcases his exquisite skill in creating engaging digital content. His love for travel photography runs as deep as the ocean, extending beyond himself to those he hopes to journey alongside.
Fans of Rubens's work can appreciate it from afar by owning one of his NFTs (or by becoming one of his over 400,000 Instagram followers) or by collaborating on his other web3 projects to build a world more focused on travel, creativity, and adventure.
For example, in 2021, Rubens co-founded the photography studio Collective Strangers, dedicated to connecting travel-loving artists, creatives, and photographers. Since its inception, the studio has also launched a PFP NFT series—'Strangers HQ'—which shares a similar mission.
Regardless of the final destination, Rubens's career has focused on community, creativity, and exploration. Here are three things about this Southern California creative.
Eric Rubens's Background and Career
Eric Rubens is a photographer and social media influencer with unique skills and experiences that set him apart in the travel photography world. Before picking up a camera, Rubens studied engineering.
While he eventually ventured down a creative path, his rational approach to life allowed him to make strategic shifts and successfully enter the industry he targeted early on. Perhaps his unique perspective and worldview give him a distinct advantage, allowing him to see the world from multiple angles.
Rubens's shift from engineer to photographer may seem immense, but it's merely a transformation in how he captures and shares the beauty around him. His technical expertise from his engineering days seems to contribute to his meticulous attention to detail in photography. Over the years, he has collaborated with numerous well-known clients, including United Airlines and several international tourism boards.
Rubens's Instagram (@erubes1) followers are nearing 500,000, and he has built a community of photography enthusiasts eagerly anticipating his next stunning work.
His work focuses on travel photography, capturing the fleeting beauty of the golden hour and the serene landscapes encountered on his adventures. Whether shooting ocean sunsets or bustling cityscapes, Rubens's photos are filled with wonder and a sense of exploration.
Eric Rubens took up travel photography as a hobby.
Before becoming a travel photographer, Rubens was an electrical engineer responsible for building satellite systems for jets and cargo planes. In a post a year after creating NFTs, he reflected on his career decisions and the unexpected path that led him to photography.
In a post, he explains that he began photography while looking for a hobby to practice in his spare time. At the time, he lived in San Diego, California, where outdoor activities were easily accessible, leading him to initiate a photography challenge.
Every evening, he would go to the beach, capturing sunsets with his iPhone camera. At the same time, he began sharing these photos and other outdoor adventure images on Instagram, gradually amassing a large following, which now exceeds 400,000.
How Eric Rubens Explored the Early Intersection of Travel Photography and Internet Art
In recent years, travel photography and digital art have begun to intertwine in compelling ways, mainly due to the rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). These unique digital collectibles have revolutionized how photographers showcase their work, providing a new platform for ownership and authenticity. For travel photographers like Eric Rubens, this intersection opens up limitless possibilities.
NFTs allow photographers to create art that debuts on the internet, not only visually stunning but also unique, enabling artists to connect with collectors and enthusiasts in unprecedented ways.
With a keen eye, Rubens captures the beauty of the world, fully capable of exploring this new realm. His travel photography is inherently narrative and emotional, now seamlessly integrated into the realm of internet art, presenting his journey to collectors.
By exploring and ultimately applying the unique features of NFTs, Rubens has positioned himself among the artists of our time, creating internet art that stands out in a crowded digital space. Each work becomes a unique marker of his creative vision, blending the tangible beauty of his photography with the innovative potential of NFTs.
In hindsight, this technology may not be seen merely as a trend but as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of photography—and Rubens is participating in writing this chapter.
"Ocean Intersections" is Eric Rubens's first non-fungible token series.
Over the years, Rubens's photography hobby gradually evolved into a side gig and eventually developed into a mature career, during which he steadily built his skills and reputation as a travel photographer. Opportunities like his first news photography trip to Jordan and joining Sony's global photography team gave him the courage to abandon his engineering career.
Rubens considers 2016 the beginning of his career as a full-time photographer and creative. Since then, he has accumulated a roster of top brand and corporate clients, including Disney, Meta, and Four Seasons Hotels. His first NFT series is 'Ocean Intersections,' featuring 50 1/1 photos, which are results of the initial years of his travel photography career.
Almost every photo captures surfers during the golden hour at the beach, with the setting sun casting vibrant oranges, pinks, and purples across the clear, reflective waters, creating an extension of the sky.
Rubens explains that he is not only drawn to the magical atmosphere of the beach at sunset, but these images also explore the human experience he has long been curious about.
"Since childhood, I have been captivated by the emotions of surfers entering and exiting the water, and I yearned to find a way to share the energy and colors of those fleeting moments," Rubens explains in the project description. "This series captures the perfect secret I have been searching for, and I will continue to pursue it for the rest of my life."
Eric Rubens's NFT Journey
Rubens saw the potential of blockchain to change our conception of photography and immediately dove in. As an experienced travel photographer, he realized that NFTs could establish true ownership and authenticity for his photos. Initial curiosity quickly turned into a passionate project that prompted him to integrate NFTs into his signature sunset photography.
His background in electrical engineering gives him a technical advantage in navigating blockchain and smart contracts; this rare skill set has helped him pioneer travel photography NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and change the way photographers share their work.
His breathtaking landscape photos have gained new depth as internet art, each securely stored on the blockchain through unique identifiers.
Rubens did not wait for an invitation; he combined travel photography with digital innovation, pioneering a new way to communicate with collectors. His creative journey demonstrates how to embrace new tools and take risks to create unexpected opportunities.
As Rubens stated in an Instagram post:
Many people around me advised me not to quit my engineering job to pursue photography, but it was the best discussion I've ever had. I put in a lot of effort, but no one knew of my inner passion for building a sustainable career. Even so, I still love photography today and hope this advice helps people take the next step in chasing their dreams.
Overcoming Challenges in the NFT Space
Like all new technologies, every artist faces challenges when first encountering NFTs. As a photographer and videographer, Rubens learned blockchain technology and smart contracts from scratch. Perhaps his engineering background gave him the technical knowledge—or at least the confidence—needed to overcome these obstacles.
Additionally, the NFT market is rapidly evolving, with demand changing quickly and consumer behavior shifting accordingly. Trends are fleeting; one minute, collectors may be coveting Eric Rubens's photography, only to be replaced by the latest collectibles. Adapting to market needs requires strategy, perseverance, and a keen understanding of the industry.
However, Rubens has continuously stayed ahead, creating new work, adapting to market changes, and finding ways to connect with collectors. His success proves that technical skills and adaptability are just as important as artistic vision. Through continuous advancement, he has solidified his position in the NFT space and paved a path for other photographers.
The Future of Travel Photography and NFTs
The future of travel photography and NFTs is filled with potential and innovation. As technology continues to advance, new ways to create and showcase digital art are emerging. Eric Rubens is a pioneer of this movement, continually pushing the boundaries of travel photography and NFTs.
With his unique skills and experiences, Rubens is fully capable of continuing to lead this evolving field. He is a co-founder of a creative collective and personal avatar (PFP) project aimed at achieving this goal.
In 2023, Rubens's photography studio Collective Strangers launched an NFT project centered on creativity, travel, and community building.
"Strangers HQ" is a series containing 4,996 NFTs, each with ten different traits, such as character accessories, backgrounds, outfits, and glasses. The project's artist, Nick Kuchar, designed each NFT character to showcase the bright, lively, and colorful images of different world travelers. The mission of this series is to connect holders through the Strangers HQ platform, allowing them to share their passions and skills related to travel, photography, and more, enriching the ever-expanding travel space.
Rubens's NFT collection proves his pursuit of sunsets and landscapes from Laguna Beach, California, to the French Polynesian Islands, capturing stunning photos that showcase his diverse passions.
Most importantly, Rubens's journey shows that following one's passion can lead to a fruitful career filled with beautiful sunsets (and just as many sunrises), along with many new moments worth savoring.
His work not only captures the beauty of the world but also explores the limitless possibilities of landscape photography transforming into digital art. As the NFT market grows and matures, we look forward to seeing more photographers and artists following in Rubens's footsteps to explore the intersection of travel photography and digital art.
For those who dare to innovate and experiment, the future is full of limitless possibilities. For Eric Rubens, this means continuously creating stunning digital artworks that capture the essence of travel, with an eye toward new horizons. The world of travel photography and NFTs paints a picture full of creativity, exploration, and infinite opportunities.
Content from OpenSea that interests you
Browse | Create | Buy | Sell | Auction
Follow the OpenSea Binance Channel
Stay Updated
