Day in the life: Armando Tura

By Kaitlyn Rosenburg

Though the UVic campus abounds with talent, Armando Tura has become something of a Renaissance man by pushing his interests to new heights both in the lab and on the field. During school hours, Tura—a PhD engineering grad—can be found teaching undergrad courses or completing magnetic refrigeration research in one of the integrated energy systems labs. After school, he steps behind the camera as the Vikes official photographer, capturing UVic athletes at their best. And in his spare time, he sails and pilots his own plane, which he built.

Originally from Italy, Tura completed his bachelors, masters and PhD in mechanical engineering at UVic. “I almost completed my degree in engineering in Italy before coming here, but we got the immigration papers before I finished. Once you get that, you go,” he says.

Despite a great deal of academic success, Tura opted to not pursue a faculty position. “I prefer running the lab and teaching at the same time. If you have a faculty position, you end up with more administrative commitments. I’m a hands-on person.”

His students—usually first and fourth year—seem appreciate his passion. “I love teaching, it’s extremely rewarding being able to help students become enthusiastic with their studies.”

And his photography, which he’s been doing for the Vikes since 2007, has meant he’s noticed in the classroom as well. “In the beginning, I’d get a lot of double takes” from students who recognized Tura on the field. As an instructor, “I think it makes me more approachable,” he says.

Tura’s strong work ethic extends to the classroom practice as well. He expects a lot from his students and in return, they produce extremely high-quality work. “Often, in the beginning of the term, I assign something relatively simple that is worth next to nothing. I mark it really hard. It sets the tone and by the end of the course, the projects are beautiful.”

His dedication to high-quality work led Tura to develop his photography well beyond the level of most hobbyists. “Photography is something I absolutely love to do. At the same time, I have to do it at a professional level,” says Tura, emphasizing his love for the act. “My enjoyment in photography is taking the photos, not having the photos.”

Which is why he loves the reaction he gets from athletes’ parents. “My photos get used, they’re appreciated,” says Tura.

As demand for his photos grew, Tura found he needed extra help. Today, he and fellow engineering PhD Peter Oshkai snap every Vikes home game as AP Shutter Photography.

Much like Tura’s innovative refrigeration research, shooting the Vikes in action is challenging. “You become part of the game. In order to get the right shot, you have to predict what’s going to happen. It’s not just how fast the camera is, it’s you being ready for that to happen at the right place at the right time.”

Tura describes sport photography as being “inside the field,” and getting as close as one possibly could to the game.

Ultimately, Tura’s success as a photographer stems from his insistence it’s not a profession. “I have to keep my photography part of my personal life. If photography is my main interest or profession, it losses that attraction and creativity I associate with it.”

Although Tura refuses to call his photography a profession, he would never deny his deep connection to his subjects. “You really become part of the game.”