Interview: Photographer Michał Obrycki (Poland)

Can you tell us a little about you?

Hi My name is Michael I am a photographer, traveller and alpinist. I like to observe. It’s my passion and obsession. I like to see the details and the whole thing. The shadows created by the curtains on the window on a sunny day. Hair blown by the wind, wrinkles on grandma’s face. Eyes of a young girl kissing his boyfriend and many more… This is the reason why I am a photographer.

My speciality in photography is documentary and portraits. The humanity is the word that I like to use to describe my point of interest. Documentary photography gives me opportunity to get known with real people and their life. Shooting fashion portraits I can say more from myself, to smuggle my ideas.

How and when did you get into photography?

I started taking photo in 1996 when I bought my first analog camera - ZENIT and created my own darkroom in my parent’s bathroom. My first magnifier I get from my uncle and I brought it home 500km buy hitch-hiking.

What does photography mean to you?

Photography is a tool to answer my questions about the people and the world around me. My camera allows me to go deeper than without it. Paradoxically pictures are not the most important in photography. Also important is the process to get to a good picture.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I love to observe and wait for the moment. For me the most important is to catch this what Cartier Bresson describe like a „decisive moment”. Even it’s documentary or portrait I love to wait always with my camera ready to shoot. Never using continuous shutter. Concentrate on a subject not a technic. I see the world more in black and white than color. In my opinion it makes the photography more clean and let us focus only on the subject.

Where do you get inspiration from?

My inspiration are people. The one I live with and the one I met every day. I also like to go back to my masters of photography like Peter Lindbergh, Tomasz Tomaszewski, Martin Parr, Eliot Erwitt and many more.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture ?

Yes and no. I like to be prepared. Before photoshoot I study my subject and think of it. I also make a list but not list of exactly planned shots but a list of most important things to think of during the photoshoot. But I love to leave some space for this what will happen between me and my subject. This space is where my best photographs comes from.

Studio, on location or both?

Definitely both. All of this have it’s pros and cons. Studio gives me opportunity to control everything but on location shots are more wild and unpredictable.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

I am both cause photography is my way of life but I also earn money on that.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

I don’t have the one. I like to work on projects which takes some time. Even years. My last long term project is about the legs. I like it a lot!

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I am using Canon 5d mark IV and Sony RX1R2. This are different cameras for different type of photography. RX is more like all day camera, street camera it allows me to be closer and invisible with its size is a perfect tool to have it all the time on.

Canon is the camera that I use to shoot portraits cause my favorite lens is canon 85mm 1,2. It has something magical inside.

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

Definintly don’t think about earning money. Think about projects, about ideas that You want realize using your camera. This is in my opinion the best way to become a photographer. And the second advice is to buy comfortable shoes. :)

What do you think of our new magazine?

I like this kind of idea that presents new faces of photography. Nowadays magazines like that are the only way to share that photographers with the world. Very good idea!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/obryckimichal

website: www.michalobrycki.com

instagram: www.instagram.com/obryckimichal