Interview: Photographer Artur Artistically (Poland)

Can you tell us a little about you? I'm 47 years old. I was born in Poland. I have been living in Germany for 8 years. I am a construction expert, PMI project manager, and photographer. I don't like to submit to standards or think in the standard. It bothers me when things go too easily. I like to break down doors, look for new solutions. Sport shooting was my hobby, especially in the Trapshooting competition. During my student days, I worked extensively in the community. I love nature and hiking in the mountains. I like meeting new, often amazing, creative, and inspiring people and their stories. I consider myself a fairly calm person, but sometimes I can explode and surprise myself. How and when did you get into photography? I took up photography in 2015. I was looking for a job, a hobby, knowing that I would stay home for many months due to illness. I photographed as a teenager and decided to return to my old hobby. Having spent a lot of time, I tested individual systems in full-frame and APS-C, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, and Sony as well as dozens of lenses, mostly manual. I was also interested in photo printing and color management. However, all this time I felt I was not ready. There was always something wrong and I didn't accept the effect. I have been professionally involved in photography for half a year. What does photography mean to you? Photography frees me. It gives me confidence. Even during commercial sessions, I feel free, I feel in control of everything. It allows me to bring out what, while working in my other professions, had to be squashed and stored inside me. Photography added flavor to my life and it is what I missed. Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers. Technically, my photography style depends on the quality of printing in a larger format. I love sharpness in photos, even sensual ones. I have my printer and I usually print portraits in the 90x60cm format. I don't take pictures for the screen. This requires a picture with a large number of pixels, as sharp as possible. Wherever I wish there was a blur, I have to achieve it only through the plasticity of the lens. Also, work in post-production is focused on the quality of details and the exclusive use of non-destructive techniques.

Artistically, I would like the people or objects presented in the photos to be simply beautiful and perfectly suited to the needs for which they were made. Where do you get inspiration from? I think it is from everything my eyes see and probably from what I have experienced so far. I cannot answer this unequivocally because I do not believe that I have any direct influence on it. However, it is never the case that I save a photo and find that I will take an identical one. Of course, I could, but it doesn't make sense to me. What has been your most memorable session and why? Definitely the story. Taking advantage of the break in the restrictions related to the Coronavirus, between November 23 and December 5 (12 full days) I went to Poland, traveled 3500 km, and organized 26 sessions. Just me and models. Only sessions, protection of photos, and their selection. It was a really crazy time.

Studio, on location, or both? These are just tools on the way to your goal. Only the effect and therefore the photos are important. If the studio is better, it is ok, if outdoor photos are necessary, they will be there. A winding staircase, an abandoned factory, or the interior of a vintage car? It has to be, so it will be. A beach with scorching sun and the need for a diffused panel for better light control? It has to be, so it will be. I also often take photos in apartments and here, too, the location will not be accidental. I just need to be in control of what should or may affect the final expression of my photo. Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional? Only for a paid professional. I am a construction expert and photographer. I have to divide my time solely into these two passions. Accuracy is my real obsession, but it's natural. It comes right out of me. Everything I do professionally, I do the best I can at the moment. The work I do provides me with professional fulfillment, a lot of satisfaction, and does not interfere with my private life. I am really lucky in this regard.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture? In professional commercial photography, there are no photos without a preliminary plan. Since the client has plans for the effects of the session, it should be considered. By analyzing this, I am convinced that what I am planning will bring out exactly what the client wants in the pictures. A close-up and a panoramic shot are not the same and will have a different effect. The composition, place, light, interior design or background texture, the choice of clothes, and even the model's mood influencing the possibility of expressing emotions. Planning for this is fairly easy for me and more instinctive than taught. Another issue is the creative spontaneity in the session itself, but it depends on the people who co-create the session and not on the previous plan. Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens? Neither Nikon. Neither can Canon. I do not stand on either side in the age-old discussion. Technically, I am completely familiar. I am currently photographing on a 42 megapixel Sony A7RII and mainly Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art, 85mm 1.4 Art, and 70-200 2.8 Sports lenses. These are my favorite lenses and Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm 2.5. The hardware must only help me do what I want to achieve. However, my dream is the mirrorless large format Fujifilm 100 GFX. What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business? To think carefully about what type of photography he would like to take, what he would like to photograph the most. Photography is an art but it is also a business and it should be innovative and fresh. You should be fully aware of the technical issues: camera, lens, lighting, and color management. It's worth taking the risk and showing your style. It's worth being original and not copying others to become their next clone. It is worth opening up and shouting only the truth. Absolutely not to judge yourself and let others judge you. What do you think of our new magazine? I confess I didn't know this magazine before. It's great and I like it very much. It is important for me that it is an independent title. The presented photos are of a very high standard. It is an interesting source of inspiration. You show photography and modeling from their best side and effects. Thank you very much for noticing me and I am very pleased that I could be in such an honorable group.