Photo tour in Azores, Portugal
Join us in the Azores for a unique photo tour, where you’ll elevate your creative skills with expert guidance from Ronald Soethje, Bruno Ázera, and Nomadict.
Maksym Mazar
@withmazar
Best of the Year 2024 at #nomadict
Mazar’s work often reflects his awe of nature, such as in his image of the jungle that won Best of the Week at Nomadict, taken from above at sunset with perfect timing and serendipity. Through both his natural landscapes and poignant images from war-torn Ukraine, Mazur emphasizes empathy, connection, and respect, creating a powerful narrative that resonates beyond photography.
My passion for travel and photography comes from a deep curiosity about the world and a desire to capture fleeting moments of beauty. Traveling allows me to explore different cultures, landscapes, and environments, while photography gives me the medium to preserve those experiences visually. The combination of the two fuels my creativity, as each new location presents unique stories waiting to be told through the lens.
Winner
Best of the Week 35
The photo that won the Best of the Week 35, tells the story of the jungle – and the desire of humans to discover the secrets of the wilderness. I had always wanted to explore it, but with limited time, I decided to do it from the sky. In a little plane, I flew over the vast jungle on my way to visit the Mayan pyramids. It was an exhilarating and breathtaking experience, soaring above the dense canopy. As luck would have it, during a stunning sunset, another plane appeared in the distance, also exploring the jungle from above. The timing, the light, and the scene all came together beautifully and I captured that magical moment where nature and human curiosity intersected in the golden light of the setting sun. It was a perfect blend of spontaneity and luck, creating a memory that will stay with me forever.
I chose this composition to highlight the vastness of the jungle, with its beautiful greens stretching out beneath the golden light coming over the trees. I wanted to capture the sense of endless nature, but by pure luck, that bright yellow plane appeared in the scene, adding a perfect focal point. The contrast of the vibrant yellow against the lush green made the image stand out and brought everything together, creating the perfect balance for me.
I approached the editing with the intention of maintaining the moment’s authenticity while enhancing the natural elements that stood out. These were the most vital steps I took:
Color correction: Adjusting the tones to match what I remembered from the scene.
Exposure balance: Ensuring the highlights and shadows were well-balanced to preserve detail in the sky and the landscape.
Enhancing textures: Using selective sharpening and clarity to bring out the textures in the foreground without making it too harsh.
Final touches: A slight vignette to focus attention on the center of the image and subtle contrast adjustments to make the colors pop naturally.
I give importance to being consistent with my editing as this helps define my style. I tried different subjects, techniques, and styles to see what resonated with me most and chose the color palette and tone that suited my vision most. I try to stick with it across all my work and stay true to my intuition. This is something I would highly recommend to everyone; focus on what excites and inspires you, authenticity in your work will help you stand out. Also, be selective about what you share – only show your best work. Over time, this will create a signature feed and portfolio with a clear definition of your style for the different subjects you shoot.
Very different from nature but still very important and defining to me and what I do, was traveling through Ukraine for two years for a personal project. I focused on capturing the devastation of war on the people and the country. This project was incredibly personal and emotional, and while I’ve only shared a few of these photos publicly, the experience has left a profound impact on me. Traveling to the front lines and witnessing the true face of war was life-changing. It taught me the power of photography in telling difficult stories and the importance of empathy when documenting human suffering. This project has deepened my perspective as a photographer and made me more mindful of the weight and responsibility that comes with sharing such powerful images. It’s shaped my career in ways that go beyond photography, influencing how I approach both my art and the world around me.
Empathy is just one of the crucial aspects of meaningful photography I learned over the years. A few others would be:
Connection with the subject: Whether it’s a person, landscape, or animal, establishing a connection helps bring depth to the photograph. Capturing the emotion or essence of the subject makes the difference between a good shot and a great one.
Patience is key: Nature and outdoor conditions are unpredictable. The perfect light or moment won’t always come immediately, so I’ve learned to wait for it and not rush.
Respect the environment: Outdoor photography means interacting with natural surroundings. I’ve learned to be mindful and leave minimal impact on the places I photograph.
Adaptability: Conditions can change in an instant. Whether it is weather, lighting, or unexpected elements, I’ve learned to adapt quickly and use whatever is at my disposal to enhance the shot.
In ten years, I would love to see myself exploring more of the world, experiencing new cultures, and forming meaningful friendships along the way. My goal is to capture and share these experiences through my photography, using it as a way to tell stories that connect people. The strategies that will help me get there include continuing to travel, staying curious, and being open to new opportunities. Building relationships with fellow creatives and constantly pushing myself to grow as an artist will be key to keeping my work authentic and evolving.
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