Interview: Photographer Sebastian Nogas (Poland)
Can you tell us a little about you?
Hi, I'm Sebastian, an ordinary guy who loves photography and treats it as a passion for his life. Someone once told me:
Remember, the most important thing is you. No matter what others say. As long as you enjoy it and do not hurt anyone around - keep doing it and enjoy it as long as you can!
How and when did you get into photography?
Since I was a child, I wanted to have a camera with me, then small and analog, although I still did not understand why a photo is made of monuments, memorial plaques, why people do and want to have photos against something ... Later, I understood how valuable it is to stop the moment, how to capture and hold the moment that we want and which is important to us. Thanks to the fact that I can capture every moment, I do more things every day because I know that I will be able to later capture them, I am looking for these wonderful moments in everyday ordinary life. I am constantly developing, getting to know new places, lots of people, this adventure lasts every day, and I want more every day.
What does photography mean to you?
Photography allows me to express myself and show others how I perceive the surrounding reality. Photography is a possibility for me to express, that to which I can show and reveal my artistic side. Photography is me.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
I'm mostly a portrait photographer, trying to catch the beauty in very technical and detailed manner. My images are detailed, razor sharp, focused on the technical side of the process. My intension is to have everything under control starting from posing, light, scene, make-up and finish on retouch that is a very important thing to me. I keep fighting with little imperfections trying to improve myself on every level.
Where do you get inspiration from?
I have many good photographers that I admire, however one is specially important to me. His name is Jan Hronsky – Prague based photographer combining post-punk madness with technical perfection. Also I have a group of friends in business that always inspirational for me.
Think you in advance what you want in the picture?
I want always pretty woman in my studio.
Studio, on location or both?
Studio, I like to have every aspect of the process under control.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
Neither of those, I keep taking photos for exploring the creative part of me. I'm not the hobbyist but being a paid-automatic photo machine would not be a way to follow for me.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
Today everything strives for perfection. Retouch in graphic programs, auto-correction in editors, cameras that perfectly match parameters. There are no surprises along the way, there is no chance of a failure that can be turned into success. Seemingly unsuccessful staff are a great inspiration for my creativity. You should consciously turn in the wrong direction or do what at first glance seems to be a mistake, because in this way we can come across a new idea that would not otherwise appear in a perfect world.
The session with snakes is the most memorable for me because I'm scared of them.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
My favorite camera choice is a Mamiya 645 Pro TL with 80mm lens that I borrow from my friend almost every month, however for daily work I shoot Canon 5D.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
Show your work to others, be prepared that the work you make shall be presented to other people. Talk to the models during the session and be prepared. The good plan in always a key to success.
What do you think of our new magazine?
Among the many magazines, magazines and journals that appear in print and in the form of websites, there are also others that form and often fill the gap between them. One of such items is the "Modellenland Magazine" magazine, whose subsequent issues are an inspiration for me.
