Q&A
Martin Stranka, based in Prague, produces work with an intensely personal feel, and his images hold a stillness and dream-like quality. He works closely with post production techniques to allow his imagination to take form visually.
These images all seem very personal, is the subject in many of them supposed to represent you?
Basically you are right. All my pictures have little but deep meaning behind it all. It is really personal stories behind them. Thats why I try to avoid explaining what every single photo means. Thats my little private area that I try to keep and protect by myself.
Are these images part of a wider body of work?
I remember when I started to take photos. It was 3 years ago and I never thought they could be a connected to the same theme. But months were passing and I realised that it has one common topic; the language of stillness. So even if every single photo looks different and unique these photos have one common theme, that's true.
How long have you been expressing yourself visually? And what first got you into photography?
I already mentioned it above. It was 3 years ago. So I could say I am still a "beginner" at this area. Lots of people ask me, what brought me into photography and I always answer with one short reply, that real art doesn't come from happiness. So this could be the answer to your question.
Have you studied or are you self taught?
I have never studied photography. It is strange I know, but unfortunatelly I found out that I like photography when I was finishing university. So, I didnt want to change the school, so I successfully finished university and then I hurled myself into photography.
What photographers, if any, do you draw inspiration from?
There are some people that can touch my mind and heart. I could say Erwin Olaf and Robert & Shana Parkeharrison. I love how they can capture feelings and emotions, which is the most important for me as well.
What equipment do you use?
Canon 5D; Canon 50mm f1,4; Canon 17-40mm L f4,0; Canon 70-200mm L f4,0; and my dreamy mind...
What are you views on using programs such as Photoshop to edit photographs?
I love it. I like it so much. I think people used darkrooms when photography was born. Nowadays people use Photoshop etc in a digital time. Thats the same. Software can help you finalise your idea. Unfortunately lots of people think that software can save a bad photo and it is not true. It is still about good light and composition.
Has your work been featured in any exhibitions or publications?
Yes it has. As I already said, I still feel like a beginner in photography but lots of things have gone so good this year, 2009. So there are many magazines, interviews ☺, portfolio analysis, a book, many solo or collective exhibitions and even being on TV. 2009 was a crazy year but all went by my ideas.
Where do you hope that your photographic career will take you? Do you have any aspirations for the near future?
I will use the same answer like I said in some interview before. Well, I would love to lie on the floor in my own studio, covered and surrounded by tons of photographs. To watch the setting sun and feel I could melt the society’s ice with art. See I am already lost in daydreaming! Thats my dreamy future I hope.
And finally, sandy beach or stony beach?
Rather deep forest with setting sun and rays of light filtering through the trees.