Last month we premiered "Interview with a Guru" , a section in which I will bring you a series of professional photographers of all kinds, artistic color, school and nationality, who will give us their own vision of photography.
This month it is the turn of Ula Pytlik , a photographer of Polish origin who, at 47 years of age, produces some impressive photographic results. Ula is not dedicated to the profession of photography, for her it is more of a hobby, that is an INTENSE hobby. For me, her photographs have the same or more professionalism than any National Geographic photograph.
In everyday life, no one would suspect that this children's teacher in a Polish school carries within her a genuine photographer who expresses herself through the lens of her camera as the most eloquent of poets.
I leave you with the interview:
INTERVIEW WITH A GURU: ULA PYTLIK
Editor: Before we start, Ula, I would like to thank you for wanting to be part of this blog and thus share your knowledge with the community of readers of the Photographer's Blog.
To begin with, could you tell us about your first steps in photography, what they were like, how do you remember them?
Ula: I had my first camera at the age of 10, a very simple camera from a Polish brand called “Druh”. Years later I came to use a Soviet-made camera called a "Smena" (?????). After a while my grandmother, who was living in England at the time, wanted to pamper me with an Instamatic ( Kodak manufacture ). This is about the early 80s, we lived behind the Iron Curtain and therefore I treated that camera as a special priceless gift.
Over time my country Poland became more free and access to property, including cameras, became more and more democratized. People began to be able to enjoy their passions as they wanted, and that's how I began to live and enjoy this hobby more and more. Over time I bought a better quality camera, the Olympus IS200 (still analog). Many years later I got my hands on an Olympus digital compact. It was around that time that I discovered Flickr, page from which I learned a lot. On Flickr I was building relationships and friendships, observing the work of other photographers, learning from observation and improving with practice, until I ended up acquiring my first Digital SLR Camera, also an Olympus brand.
Editor: What makes photography special to you? What values do you find?
Ula: I conceive photography as art. I appreciate and respect photography as a daily job, after all it is an artistic work. What makes photography special to me? Simply the fact of getting photos that satisfy me. There is no satisfaction like getting the picture you are looking for.
IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW EXPENSIVE OR SOPHISTICATED YOUR CAMERA IS, WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS YOUR PASSION AND DEDICATION.
Editor: Apparently no type of photography resists you: portraits, nature landscapes, urban photography, travel. What is your favorite?
Ula: I like photography in all its branches but if I have to choose I prefer portraits, especially in black and white. That is the kind of photography that inspires me and helps me to improve myself.
On the other hand I think urban photography is one of the most difficult. I admire people who have that gift of taking good urban photos.
Editor: Are you one of those who stop the photo with a message already in mind or do you prefer open message photography?
Ula: Sometimes I think that my photo leaves a specific, concrete and very clear message. Suddenly I am surprised that others are leaving me comments with "new" messages that I had not noticed. I like that. So I prefer to leave the matter open.
Editor: Supporter or Opponent of Photoshop?
Ula: I am fascinated by traditional, pure and natural photography, but at the same time I am aware that professionalism in photography necessarily requires mastering and working with post-processing programs. It is a reality against which I cannot fight and that there is no choice but to accept.
Editor: What devices do you usually take your photos with?
Ula: I usually use my Olympus E-510 with 2 lenses: 14-42mm and 40-150mm.
Editor: Your personal star trick to get such spectacular photos…?
Ula: None. Oh really. In fact, I don't even use a tripod, ever. And I take photos quickly.
Editor: What would you advise someone seeking the path of photographic excellence, with the desire to one day become a professional?
Ula: It doesn't matter if your photos are good or bad, it doesn't matter how expensive or sophisticated your camera is, what really matters is your passion and dedication. It's the only thing that counts.
Editor: Absolutely true. Thank you Ula for your time.
This was the interview then. I leave you, friends, with a small selection of some of Ula's photographic works, a real delight for the sense of sight... (whoever wants to continue enjoying it, here are a couple of links, one to her Flickr profileand another to his Facebook page).
