Interview: Photographer Marcin Ciepieniak (Poland)

Tell us something about yourself.

I have a great sense of humor which is the feature that distinguished me from others and makes working with people easier. What is more, I have a special gift of being able to make fun of myself; it shortens the distance between me and models and creates a nice atmosphere during the photoshoots.

How and when did you get into photography?

As a child, my passion was drawing, but I stopped it when I started working. In 2003, I bought my first camera and my passion to create came back. My friend, Tomasz Łapiński, and I have started to take pictures of nature, streets, and children. Working together gave us a strong commitment to work, as well as an opportunity to discover and understand the photography world.

What does photography mean to you?

Photography is a part of my life, the situation is perfectly described by Polish photographer Piotr Biegaj "I sleep with photography, I wake up with photography and I fall asleep with photography... It makes me happy, sad and shocked... While I take pictures I take rest, be angry and laugh..."

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

My main goal in photography is creating a gloomy atmosphere with aspects of death and nostalgia. I look for the pictures that evoke the feelings of mystery, curiosity, and wonderment.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Salvadore Dalli and Polish painter Zdzisław Beksiński, who created work in the gloomy atmosphere, fascinated me as a teenager. Today I get inspiration from the other photographers and fashion designers such as Katarzyna Konieczka, as well as Agnieszka Osipa. These inspirations combined with my imagination results in interesting final results.

Would you consider yourself;f a hobbyist or a paid professional?

Rather hobbyist, I like to feel free in photography, not to be trapped intro strict standards how the pictures should look like.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

Each time I have the main idea in my mind but during the photoshoots I modify my ideas and adapt them to the current situation which results in spontaneous work. Postproduction is the next step of my improvisation in which I manipulate and create the atmosphere to the image.

Studio, on location or both?

I definitely prefer to work on location, nature props gives me a lot of opportunities; however, I like also to use studio lights during the photoshoots on location, they are usually commercial.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

In 2015, I participated in Nicholas Javed's workshop and it inspired me to start working with dark beauty and creative portrait. I would like to think outside the box and create something more than traditional photography. The workshop gave me an opportunity to work with professional photo-models for the first time in my life. Then I joined to Team Photo Art group, runs by Janek Góral.

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

My the biggest inspiration is everything associated with dark beauty.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I work with Nikon D4s, my favorite lens is Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 which gives me a nice range of options to use.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

I also teach how to take pictures and how to be a successful photographer so I am able to give a lot of pieces of advice for beginners but the most important thing is that taking pictures must give you happiness and the feeling of fulfillment, other aspects will come with time.

What do you think of our new magazine?

Your new magazine makes a good first impression, I think I will use it as my next source of inspiration.

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