When photographing, Tatiana finds joy in capturing images of her hometown, Ružomberok, and the Tatras, particularly when fog is present. Tatiana emphasizes the significance of composition and contrasting lights and shadows to produce evocative images. Drawing from her own experience, Tatiana provides insights into using color theory, timing, textures, and patterns to create compelling photos.
I developed a love for photography in my childhood, as I assisted my grandfather in creating photo films using an old camera. Despite the abundance of photo-worthy subjects within Slovakia, I particularly enjoy capturing images of my hometown, Ružomberok.
My photography journey started later in life. Having attended a secondary art school, I had a foundation in the arts. However, it wasn’t until some time before the outbreak of the coronavirus that I began taking photos. Initially, I used a basic Nokia mobile phone to capture images, which resulted in limited quality. Despite this, I was drawn to photography and began snapping macro shots, of flowers, animals, and objects in motion. Later, I discovered photo editing and experimented with it, at first struggling with awkward color adjustments, but eventually discovering the appeal of adding vignettes to enhance the depth of my images.
Continuing to take photos and edit them more frequently, I put my heart and soul into my work. I later explored editing in Lightroom and Photoshop and discovered the ability to add various elements and characters to my images. This absorbed me and helped me find my style.
With the arrival of the coronavirus, I had ample time to reflect and explore. I visited the forest more often and took in every moment and detail, feeling as though the forest was communicating with me. I envisioned how each photo would look with shading and depth, marking a turning point in my photography journey.
The Tatras are a favorite subject of mine, as they become increasingly captivating with each visit, reminiscent of a fairy tale. I love to add various elements and edit the photos to create a mystical, fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
I was also influenced by many artists and photographers. I particularly admire Nalad’s work, so I started to experiment by removing color and creating moody photos. This process is driven by passion and comes naturally to me. I used to spend a week editing a single photo, but now I take a more relaxed approach, treating my photos as a visual diary of my moods.
My proudest moment as a photographer was when I captured my first forest photo in the fog and added a crow perched on a branch. By reducing the light, I created a mystical atmosphere, even though I do not enjoy horror movies. This marked a turning point in my photography, and it’s not often that others can see this when viewing my work.
Nowadays my approach to taking photos is guided by intuition and personal appeal. I don’t stress over perfect lighting, and instead, capture the mood and emotions of the moment.
Over time, I have come to realize that the foundation of photography lies in composition, and for me, the hills provide a stunning visual impact. It’s crucial to have a contrast of light and shadow, intriguing clouds, or a mountain enveloped in mist for a wow effect.
In this sense, it’s crucial to have contrasting lights and shadows, intriguing clouds, or a mountain enveloped in mist for a wow effect. The clouds or fog can obscure details in the landscape, making objects appear hazy and indistinct. I am also particularly fond of the color blue and its darkest tonalities. Did you know dark blue is often used in movies to create a sense of fantasy or otherworldliness?
Then, for my forest photography, timing is always crucial. I like it when the sun is lower in the sky, creating long shadows and enhancing the textures of the trees and foliage. In addition, the mist can soften the light, creating a diffused glow that is gentle and ethereal. The soft lighting can help create a dreamy, otherworldly effect often associated with mystical landscapes.
Mist can also alter the colors in a landscape, creating a monochromatic or desaturated effect that is moody and evocative and can be especially effective when paired with dramatic lighting or contrasting colors.
Furthermore, using a wide aperture (low f-number) to create a shallow depth of field can be interesting – you can blur the background and foreground, making the trees stand out more. This technique can create a dreamy and mystical effect, especially when combined with the appropriate lighting. In this case, I try to include leading lines, patterns, and captivating foreground elements that draw the viewer into the image. I look for a sense of balance and harmony between the different elements in the scene.
I enjoy this aspect of photography, and the editing process is especially enjoyable.
My editing process is spontaneous and often leads to unexpected results. The result is more artistic than technical, with each photo telling a unique story. But in general, the following are some steps I follow:
First, I focus on the subject I want to emphasize and work to create depth. Then I experiment with adjusting sharpness, structure, and vignette. Finally, I apply color to complete the image. Even if the original photo has strong lighting, I will adjust it during editing by reducing the light and striving to create depth, ultimately completing the image.
I have a strong emotional connection with each of my photos, but the one that holds a special place in my heart is this Tatras photo you can see below. It features a lady gazing at a house with wings, which is a reflection of my current emotions. I can’t fully articulate why, but I just adore it, even with its grainy appearance and rich colors. At times, my photos have a cinematic quality, like in this case, a mystical fairy tale.
The most significant things for me thus far have been the positive feedback from my followers who find solace in my photos, which brings me great satisfaction. Additionally, winning a local photo competition was a highlight for me. The winning photo was a shot of the inversion with only the tops of trees visible, which I named “Highlight of the Hug”. I was deeply moved and grateful for the recognition, as it came as a complete surprise.
In ten years, I aim to have my photo exhibition, showcasing my work in an atmosphere that embodies my photos. My goal is to establish my brand, using my photos to print on oversized clothing and other products. I have strong faith in my ability to succeed as photography and art is my passion and I cannot imagine life without them.
Additionally, I have a love for both living and non-living things and a fondness for minimalism, which can be seen in my Instagram gallery that encompasses a wide range of subjects.
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