Interview
Ukraine
Michael Dorohovich was always interested in the art of photography at a young age during his studies at The Art College of Arts and the passion grows stronger everyday!
1 Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
I came into photography from a young age, when I studied at the Art College of Arts. Then I was very interested in photography as an art, and from that moment it did not leave me.
2 Where did you study photography?
As I said, it all started with the Art College, where we had a subject in photography, but the main practice began in photojournalism, in local publications, which helped me gain experience, both technically and in communicating with people who later were very important and valuable to me.
3 Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
If we talk about the portrait genre in which I work, then for the first time it was at the age of 15, when I photographed my friend in the image of Michael Jackson, who was his idol) I remember how we made a mini studio from the attic of a nine-story building to which I brought several table lamps and illuminated nature ...) These pictures are still preserved and one of them hangs in my home gallery.
4 What equipment do you use?
In my work I use the Fujifilm-X system, I really like it for its compactness and quality, especially for lenses. When shooting portraits and working with people, it is very important not to frighten nature with large cameras and lenses and to relieve tension as quickly as possible, which will ultimately give good results.
5 What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
I am very pleased when many viewers of my photographs say or write that my portraits reveal the soul of a person, at this moment you understand that you work and create for good reason, it always inspires me very much to create)
6 What inspires your unique storytelling?
To be honest, I am inspired by unique people, destinies, interesting personalities, without whom life in society would not be interesting ...
7 What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Truthfulness, honesty and naturalness.
8 Congratulations! As the winner of the MUSE Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
This award is very important and valuable for me. After all, I live in a small region of Ukraine and when you receive such a prestigious award, it inspires you very much for creativity and makes you not stop but go forward !!!
9 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the MUSE Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
This is the story of a very strong-willed girl, a ceramics artist, who beat cancer but lost one of her legs. I was always amazed by her positive attitude towards life, even in such a difficult period of her life. I decided to get to know her and offer to shoot her portrait in such a frank manner and she agreed. The result impressed us very much, because the photo came out very honest, truthful and spoke absolutely about it. The hand that Tetyana held on to was her husband, who in life is always next to her and whom she can always grab and feel safe!
10 How has winning an award developed your career?
Such prestigious competitions always influence your career, because if your work is recognized at the world level, then more opportunities begin to open up for you in your homeland and you can really feel it.
11 Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
I really like the portrait work of Richard Avedon and Dan Winters, but speaking of the MUSE Photography Awards 2023, I liked and was inspired by the work of Jatenipat Ketpradit.
12 What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
The most valuable lesson I learned for myself was that a real photograph is written with light through the lens and not through Photoshop and other computer editors. And I always try to match it!
13 What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Today we live in a world of great competition and this applies to photography in general. Therefore, the truthfulness of what you are filming has a very important role for our society, especially today, where there is so much untruth around. Therefore, my advice is, look for the truth through the lens and viewfinder of the camera and not photoshop ... Photoshop is also a good tool, but it is designed for completely different purposes.
14 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
When I shoot a portrait of a person, an important aspect is my relationship with him from the very beginning of my meeting, until the moment when he looks at ready-made photos of himself. A good psychological attitude and trust between me and my nature, this is probably my key to success ...
15 How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
In true creativity, it is very important to remain yourself, so new knowledge and information are very important just as a good technical tool, but everything else that we call art should go through your life, your intellect, your feelings and fall into a photograph.
Photographer / Company
Michael Dorohovich
Category
People Photography - Lifestyle
Photographer / Company
Michael Dorohovich
Category
People Photography - Culture
Photographer / Company
Michael Dorohovich
Category
Black & White Photography - People
Photographer / Company
Michael Dorohovich
Category
People Photography - Culture