Anita

Anita

Welcome to the Artists Blog

When did you first become interested in art, in general?

I have loved art as long as I can remember. Art and music classes were my favorite in school. I also loved poetry and literature classes.I used to be part of a local dancing group for five years and a school choir for three years or so.

When did you first become interested in photography, specifically?

It was at the end of 2006 when I became seriously interested in photography as a medium for expressing myself. Even though I have always loved photography and snapped pictures of anything that cached my eye whenever i had a chance.

In what other forms of art do you also work, if any?

I also like to create and design greeting cards, digital art, I dabble in drawing and I write poetry. I have just started making collages and am interested in mixed media and mosaic art. I collect stamps and have just started collecting ephemera that I’m intending to use in my future collage and mixed media works.

On which style(s) of photography do you specialise?

Street, architectural and fine art photography. I enjoy black and white and sepia toned photography.

Vancouver

Has your style changed from when you first began? If so, why?

Aw yes. When I just started I experimented to see what style best suits me. I love color photography of nature, but right now am in b&w and sepia mode. I find it the best style that reflects my feelings and emotions. I adore aged looking photography because I’m often (read always:) in nostalgic mood, so I’m also very interested in pinhole photography also.

What kind of equipment do you use?

I use my digital Cannon A520. I also got an inexpensive (read cheap) and simple Holga not so long ago, because I just love lomography. I am in the process of buying a Cannon EOS 40 D. Still deciding what’s best for me and my needs. And of course my PC.:)

What made you choose that equipment?

I got my Cannon A520 for my birthday and I just love it. It’s a compact camera that makes miracles.:)

But since I’m getting really serious with photography, I’m planning to get myself a Cannon EOS 40 D in a next month or so. I’m not a technical expert, so I need any advice I can get for more experienced photographers.:)

London Life

How do you choose what you’re going to photograph?

I enjoy candid photography so anything staged doesn’t really work for me. Spontaneity is what I’m all about.

I love history and old things, so you will often find tracks of history in my photos.

In general, when something catches my attention and I make a mental picture of how is it going to look on my screen. My camera does the rest of the job.:)

What kind of editing do you perform on your photographs, if any?

I do the regular editing: adjusting contrast, shadowing, sharpness, glow. I’m not a huge fan of ‘heavy editing’, so I try to keep it simple. Even though for my digital photo art, I use a little heavier editing.

I use Picasa and IrfanView for editing, even though I have Photoshop CS3 that I have not used yet.

How much time (on average) does it take to complete a work?

It all depends what mood I am in. Sometimes it takes me an hour or so for 3-4 good images, and sometimes I can do 6-7 images in that same time.

How do you know when a piece is finished? Is it easy to walk away?

When I look at the image and feel content about the way it looks and represents the atmosphere I wanted to achieve, that’s it for me.

Glowing Kaldrma Manja

Seldom I will go back and re-edit it, but if that happens, it’s usually the tones I’m working on (sepia to b&w or vice versa).

What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?

I just leave my camera alone for some time. Period.

How well do you take criticism and how do you make use of it?

I like constructive criticisms, but when I’m really satisfied with a final result of my image and somebody tells me that the image would look much better if I do this or that, I’m not going to listen.

When I’m satisfied with it, that’s it for me.:) Since the technical part of photography is not really my strong point (yet), I will gladly listen all critics and suggestions that more experiences photographers have for me.

Who is your favourite photographer?

I can’t really say that I have a favorite photographer. There is so many great and talented artists out there which work I admire. I would need to say that I prefer photographers who do mostly b&w, street, candid, fine art and photojournalistic/documentary photography.

Which one of your photographs is your favourite?

Photo called ‘Sight’ is kind of my favorite for now.

Sight

I took it in London in 2007. I was peeking through the window of the Tower of London when I took this photo. The sight on the river Thames was beautiful, even though the weather that day was not perfect. Sometimes I think I could write and essay about how this photo makes me feel.:)

Have you exhibited any of your work in galleries?

Not yet. I’ve been contacted by a few persons from local galleries. They like my work and would like to see it in their galleries. My intention is to have my work exhibited in a gallery very soon, so I’m working on it. It will be announced on my website and blog when that happens.

Will your work be included at any upcoming contests or galleries? If so, where and when?

Soon. Still working on it. I guess I need some reassurement first. I somehow still don’t feel confident enough for that step, even though people really like my work. I just need someone to push me into it.:)

What are your plans for the future?

To make an exhibition in the near future, to get more exposure and to start my own photography business.

Thames Glow Manja

What advice do you have for budding photographers?

Learn as much as you can about photography. Experiment first to see what style best suits you and don’t let anyone discourage you in your making of your dreams come true.:)

Anita, your photographs are wonderful. My favourite has to be the Thames shot    Thank you very much for the interview!

You can view more of Anita’s images at http://anitadzogovic.webs.com