Issue28 (part2) October 2017

Photographer Roland Okoń (Poland)
Tell us something about yourself. My name is Roland Okoń
from Wrocław, Poland. I have been professionally involved
in photography for eleven years. Previously, I worked as a
graphic artist and musician.
How and when did you get into photography? I realised
quite early on that in order to be happy in life – to be
satisfied, to some degree – I had to be involved in some
profession which gave me the opportunity to express
myself creatively. It’s what gives me the greatest satisfaction.
When I was working as a graphic designer, it hit me
that I couldn’t spend the rest of my life staring at a
computer screen – that’s when I began to think of finding
some more fulfilling occupation.
What does photography mean to you? For me, photography
is a purely aesthetic experience. Specifically, I’m
referring to the type of photography I pursue.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our
readers. In my photography, I seek (the) perfect composition
and proportions. Although my photographs remain
within the category of what can be called “classic” photography,
I try to find interesting perspectives and strong
tonal contrasts, wrapped in rich texture. My goal is to leave
the viewer with a sense of hidden secret, provoking
questions and stimulating the imagination… hopefully.
Naturally, the main theme of my work is human beings,
woman, the beauty of the human body.
Where do you get inspiration from? When I pick up my
camera, I turn into a different person, my personality
changes – it’s like I flip a switch and turn off the rest of the
world. I work automatically – almost in a trance –
searching. I would say the process is like the state of mind
you get into when listening to your favourite music.
Do you think in advance what you want in the photograph
Sometimes ...it’s an initial starting point. But ultimately, I
usually end up with something completely different than
what I first envisioned. It’s a natural process for me. One
I’ve come to accept.
Magdalena Skowronska
Studio, on location or both? I live in Poland, so
in summer – location, in the winter – studio.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a
paid professional? It’s how I make my living, so
I would have to say professional.
What has been your most memorable session
and why? I’m usually focused on the last photo
shoot I‘ve done, but looking back, I would have
to say my most vivid memory is of a shoot I did
in the Canary Islands, the surrounding scenery
was simply breath-taking – and I admit, I was
secretly very pleased with the final outcome.
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