Interview: Photographer Andrzej Stala (Poland)
Can you tell us a little about you?
Hi. My name is Andrzej Stala and I am 48. I am a photographer from Poland.
How and when did you get into photography?
I have been interested in photography for many years, but I started photographing people in 2016. I taught myself to take pictures by trial and error. I am still discovering and learning a lot of new things.
What does photographymean to you?
Photography, apart from being my work, is also the source of great passion.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
Portraits are my favourite, but I also feel very good at sensual, nude, reportage and wedding photography. I love b&w. Black and white natural portraits are my favourite style, I guess.
Where do you get inspiration from?
I find inspiration for my pictures in song lyrics, book quotes, work of many great photographers and videoclips.
Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?
Sometimes I plan what I am going to do, but more often my photos are created spontaneously, when something attracts my attention, the unusual setting of light I spot, or something surprising comes up. I very often leave the photo without the final touch, imperfect, this is how they are supposed to be according to my vision.
Studio, on location or both?
I am a great supporter of the world as it is, but working in a studio isn’t a problem to me. As a reporter I have to react quickly to changing light conditions.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
I wouldn’t call myself a professionalist because I am rarely 100% satisfied with my photos. It always seems like I could have done a better shot.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
It’s difficult to count the number of the sessions and reportages in my career, but I don’t think I could find the best one. There are many sessions during which I managed to do very good shots.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
From the very beginning I worked on the Canon system. At first it was the EOS 700D, later the EOS 6Dmkll and the EOS 5Dmklll and finally theEOS RP. My favourite lens is Canon 70-200 F2.8L, but most often I use 24-70 F 2.8L at work.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
What could I advise to somebody who wants to start his own company? Well, First of all don’t break down with the failures, you have to find your style and the field you feel good at, and then stick to it. You have to also watch a lot of great works of well-known photographers and draw conclusions from their work. The most difficult part in this profession is that you have to work for the client while keeping your own style, to find the compromise between what you want to do and what the client expects.
What do you think of our new magazine?
I am really happy that there is Modellendland, the place where you can see really good work, get to know the interesting personalities from the world of photography, modelling, and visage. I really appreciate that I was invited to share my thoughts in this interview.
Ig. @andrzejstalaphotography
