Carlos Becerra: The Immersive Artist Shaping New York City’s Art and Underground Scene

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Carlos Becerra’s photography is a quiet revolution. Hailing from New York City, his work isn’t just about capturing an image, it’s about pulling you into it. His photographs don’t merely ask for your attention. They demand it. They compel you to step closer, to feel the texture of a moment that can never be relived, yet somehow, through his lens, you can experience it again, in its full, vibrant detail.

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Immersing the Viewer in a Moment

When Carlos Becerra talks about photography, he isn’t just thinking about capturing a scene. He’s thinking about how that scene will live in the mind of the viewer—how it will surround them, draw them in, and hold them in its grasp. It’s a process that’s both intimate and immersive, something that he’s been developing with both traditional techniques and new technology.

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In his collaboration with Immersity AI, Carlos selected a series of images that are deeply personal and technically strong, capturing not just the moment but the essence of the subject. “I chose those images because I feel like they showcase a strong technical aspect of my photography practice,” he says. “The majority of them were made within the controlled environment of the studio where the conditions and the outcome of the image are entirely dependent on my creative direction as an artist.”

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Carlos has always been deeply conscious of the technical aspects of photography, and it shows in the way he uses light, color, and dimension to bring his portraits to life. “Some of the things that I am always very aware of and that I pay close attention to when making a photo are color, light and dimension,” he explains. “Those three elements I feel are extremely present in the images I selected, and being that they are portraits and have a singular subject, the subject acts as a vehicle to be able to showcase those elements.” His focus on these details creates an image that’s not just something to look at but something that envelops the viewer, pulls them into the world of the photograph.

Most of the people in Carlos’s portraits are familiar to him, friends and acquaintances who have agreed to step in front of his camera. But for Carlos, it’s never just about taking a picture—it’s about discovering something new. “The majority of these are people that I know, with varying backgrounds and different comfort levels in front of the camera,” he says. “With that said though, I’m always looking to document people in interesting ways that really capture part of their essence and persona. I am always interested in seeing different perspectives of people they may not see themselves.”

This drive to capture something deeper, to reveal an aspect of his subjects that they might not even recognize in themselves, is what fuels Carlos’s passion for immersion in his work. It’s not just about making a photo that looks good—it’s about making a photo that feels real, that makes the viewer feel as though they’ve stepped inside the moment.

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The Intersection of Analog and Digital: Embracing Immersive Technologies

Through his work with Immersity AI and Leia’s Lume Pad 2, Carlos has found a way to bridge the gap between traditional stereo photography and the world of digital immersion. These tools have allowed him to transform his still photographs into dynamic, multidimensional experiences that allow the viewer to step into the scene and feel the depth, light, and color in a way that traditional photography couldn’t provide.

‍“Immersion is such an important part of my artistic vision,” he says. “Because once I realized that you can actually make a viewer feel like they are being immersed in an image, transported to a different time and place and feel like they are actually there… depriving people of that experience, knowing that it’s a possibility, just feels like a disservice to my audience.”  

For Carlos, creating an immersive experience isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s an artistic imperative. It’s about allowing the viewer to connect with his work in a way that’s deeper, more visceral, and more emotional than a flat, static image ever could.

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Paris: An artistic journey

Carlos’s journey into immersive photography isn’t confined to technology alone—it’s also shaped by his travels and experiences. One of the most pivotal moments in his journey occurred in Paris, when he was invited by a close friend to attend a fashion pop-up for the brand IDK IDC. What started as a chance to support a friend turned into a transformative artistic experience. “I had just moved back home with my grandma,” Carlos remembers. “She had a painting of a famous French church, and I remember staring at it, thinking how badly I wanted to go to Paris someday.” The next day, his friend called with the invitation. It felt like fate.

In Paris, Carlos didn’t just take photos—he immersed himself in the local art scene, staying at Carbone 17, a former maternity clinic turned artist collective on the outskirts of the city. “It was really cool to be involved in that culture and that environment,” he says. “Carbon 17 is something we don’t have in New York—an actual place where artists live and breathe art while giving back to the community.” He took photos, practiced his French, and got to know the vibrant, collaborative artistic community that surrounded him. It wasn’t just about capturing the city; it was about being part of it, about understanding its culture and its essence.

Carlos’s Work in New York City’s Art Scene

Back in New York, Carlos continued to weave his photography into the fabric of the city’s art scene catching everything from underground events to portraits of Spike Lee. He’s also worked behind the scenes at prestigious events like Art Basel, helping to curate and install works from some of the most influential artists in the world. But it’s not the art world’s glittering events that drive him. It’s the act of creating, of capturing the essence of a moment and transforming it into something that resonates long after the moment is gone.

Carlos’s work as an art handler has allowed him to interact closely with the works of influential artists, shaping his understanding of the care and dedication that goes into the art world. While it’s not the primary focus of his artistic journey, this experience has undeniably contributed to his perspective and creative process.

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‍The Future of Carlos Becerra’s Work

With a career that moves fluidly between different art capitals and disciplines, Becerra shows no signs of slowing down. His work continues to be at the cutting edge of photography, integrating technology in ways that redefine visual storytelling. Whether experimenting with AI-generated imagery, incorporating augmented reality elements, or pushing the limits of 3D photography, Becerra’s artistic evolution mirrors the rapid changes happening in the digital and creative spheres.

His ability to capture the energy of both underground and high-art spaces places him in a unique position within the industry. He is a photographer who does not simply document the world—he engages with it, shaping the narratives that define contemporary culture. As he continues his travels, from the streets of Paris to the galleries of New York and beyond, one thing is certain: Carlos Becerra’s lens will remain a powerful tool for storytelling, bridging the past, present, and future of art.

Follow Carlos Becerra on Instagram here.

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