Interview: Photographer Tomasz Sipa (Poland)

Bijgewerkt op: 4 okt 2022

Tell us something about yourself

Well, speaking about myself is not really my favourite thing to do To make long story short – 39-years old, nice, kind, talented, intelligent, good-looking, with a good sense of humour but most of all – modest person. ;) I was born and have been living in Gliwice all my life. It is a medium-sized city, quite nice to live in.

How and when did you get into photography?

I had always wanted to draw but I felt I was not skilled enough to get into it. I thought capturing images automatically would be much easier. There had always been a camera somewhere close to me but I guess I did not dedicate enough time and attention to it. Photo sessions with models started more or less from 2010.

What does photography mean to you?

A few years ago I came up with a motto for my business card stating that photography is the way to stop the clock. Maybe quite obvious but applicable to all of us as human beings – we take pictures to keep memories alive, to capture our best moments and not to let them disappear in oblivion.

Artistic photography goes far beyond that common definition – it is about creating new reality rather than just reflecting it.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I used to joke about my photography style as ‘a gloomy pastoral’ – woman’s gentleness contrasted with dark, high-contrast frames. Even a meadow full of flowers would get that gloomy look at my photos.

Nowadays I am not afraid of colours, I especially appreciate their advantages in analog pictures.

I would like to focus more on sensual photography. We will see.

Where do you get inspiration from?

The inspiration can be found everywhere – press, books, omnipresent internet…

I like photographs with some stories behind the scene and life itself is the greatest source of them.

Think you in advance what you want in the picture?

If it is a planned session I do like to have some concept and prepared, well-thought frames in my head which are the base of the whole session. Of course it is often re-defined and amended while working, leaving some room for artistic improvisation.

Studio, on location or both?

I appreciate the comfort and advantages of studio sessions. However I definitely prefer the real life scenography which can be very inspiring for the session’s leitmotif. Its potential for storytelling is limited only by the photographer’s imagination.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

For now it is still a hobby. I believe that in the artistic world it is sometimes better to remain just a hobbyist in order not to lose the freedom of creation and passion. Professional photographs often have to compromise even on their own aesthetics to satisfy the customers’ needs.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

That one is still to come, I hope. I cannot recall any particular session that would be more special than others. All of them have been unique in their own way. What I remember most are all the people with whom I had the opportunity to work and share some precious moments.

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

What is my biggest inspiration? As I mentioned before – everything around us can inspire us but of course the source of unlimited stimulation and creativity are the people.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Why only Canon or Nikon? A camera is just a tool. I admit I have been working mainly with Canon but my favourite photographs were actually taken with an old medium format analog - Russian camera Kiev88.

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

their own business?

Photography is much more than just business. Don’t let the vision of potential profit push your passion back to the second plan.

What do you think of our new magazine?

You have asked me about sources of inspiration – your magazine can be definitely one of them, so you should be proud.

You Facbook or website

https://www.facebook.com/TomaszSipaPhotography/

https://tomaszsipa.tumblr.com/