Issue30 (part1) december 2017

Photographer
Slawek Patoka (Poland)
- 38 -
Tell us something about yourself. I was born and live in Poland, near
Warsaw. I like riding motorcycles, enjoying the nature, reading books
and drinking wine. But my big love are traditional photography and
old cameras.
How and when did you get into photography? The first camera I got
from my parents when I was 9 years old. That's when I fell in love with
photography. And so, with little breaks, it continues until today.
What does photography mean to you? Photography has been with
me for so long, so it's just part of my life.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers. My
style? Hm… I use medium format camera with black and white film
usually, so my style is ... black&white and square. I love taking pictures
of people, especially naked people – men and women and showing
relationships between them. Most I like the photos that tell a story.
Where do you get inspiration from? I take inspiration from everyday
life. I also watch works of traditional photography masters. My idols
are Helmut Newton and Jan Saudek.
Think you in advance what you want in the picture? Always. My
pictures are created first in my head.
Studio, on location or both? I prefer the dailylight. So outdoor.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
Professional hobbyist. When I'm working, I'm a professional, when I'm
creating I'm a hobbyist.
What has been your most memorable session and why? I like to
think that my most important session still is ahead of me.
What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work? The
biggest source of inspiration? As I said - great masters of 20th century
photography and their pictures. And life. And always my wife, of
course.