This is our end-of-summer favorite.
His name: Lukasz Spychala.
He introduces himself as follows.
I am 30 years old. My artistic nickname is „Koneser” (eng. „Connoisseur”). I graduated from Wroclaw University of Technology. I have a Master’s degree in computer science and I work as a programmer daily. I started my adventure with photography with a digital camera. In college, I decided to buy my first analog camera, which is my primary camera until now. It is a Mamiya RB67 Pro-S.
I have been involved in photography since high school, which is about 14 years now. In my third year of college, I joined the Cultural Agenda of the Wroclaw University of Technology, and that’s when I made the conscious decision that I wanted to pursue analog photography. What I love about it is its unpredictability, and the ability to work carefully on each frame. I think it is the most beautiful kind of photography that has been created.
Photography is my whole life. My parents were hobbyists at photography. My dad was a regular in the darkroom, and my mom never parted with her camera, leading her trips and creating breathtaking landscapes. Thanks to my parents, I understood from an early age that what we look at evokes emotions in us and that by taking photographs, you can show someone else the perspective that affects us most powerfully. It’s like giving someone on a platter a part of your memory and your experiences to show others a part of your soul. Despite my thoughts and the presence of photography in my life from a young age, I tried to find my way and the camera was not my first choice. Maybe even more, I assumed that my passion would be completely different. I have wonderful parents, and I am glad that I only got a camera in my hand when I asked for it myself and felt the need for it. As a result, when the time was right, I gained confidence that it was I who chose photography, not it who chose me. In retrospect, I am very glad that I never hid my passion in life. Although I also see myself in them, my photographs are not always to the liking of my mother or father, but we all respect and understand that part when we differ in our view of the world, although we very often experience the same thing when looking at each other’s photographs.
For several years now, I have been involved only in analog photography. Firstly, there is a different philosophy of taking pictures than with a digital camera. In a photo shoot, 12 well-thought-out and planned shots are created at once, rather than several hundred or even a thousand photos, from which it is hard to choose the best ones later. In addition, the photographic material itself produces interesting color effects and has a very wide tonal range. The main advantage of my camera is the size of the photosensitive material, 6 cm x 6 cm. A digital camera with such a large sensor is very expensive.
Traditional photography is a completely different approach and style of work. I really enjoy working on a given frame and perfecting it. Pressing the shutter button is already the final step and sealing the frame and details, which I am sure should be just so, not different. As I create the photos, I feel a sense of calm, as if my time with the model has slowed down. I take a breath and realize what is in my head at the moment and what moves my heart.
The year 2022 was a great adventure for me. I won the title of Professional Analog/Film Photographer of the Year at the International Photography Awards 2022. Winning this competition is, first, a great joy for me, but it’s also a sign to me that what I do is liked by other people, and it’s worth continuing my adventure with photography. It has reaffirmed to me that I am on the right path. In moments of weakness, it also gives me a motivating kick to move forward.
The greatest achievement for me is when the viewer sees a piece of themselves in my photos, or is reminded of some unusual memory or story that once happened to them. Sometimes it is a story in line with what I wanted to tell, and sometimes, thanks to a conversation with the viewer, I see that I have unconsciously told within a given frame, more than I intended. There is no greater achievement for me than the heated discussions about my photography. They are always further reflections for me. I think they develop me as an artist and often become an inspiration to tell another story. In addition, I think that the greatest disappointment for a photographer is when his or her photos do not evoke any emotion.
I work on exciting projects all the time. As far as anything I get involved in, I am there with all my heart and soul. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal more details at the moment, but the results will soon be available for all to see in my portfolio, so I heartily encourage you to follow my photographic work, such as on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/koneser_fotografii/.
My ideal photography project is the one that awaits me just around the corner. Each new project is another step in self-development for me, and I strive to make each one better than the last. I approach all the photos I take as if they are going to be my best photos, and I dedicate a lot of time and a big chunk of myself to each one. If I could travel anywhere, I would travel wherever the wind takes me. Every new place means new inspiration, new emotions, and a new story to tell. Such a quiet dream of mine is to be able to realize a photo shoot in space, against the backdrop of the Earth.
Lukasz Spychala
https://www.lukaszspychala.pl/p/index.html
https://www.instagram.com/koneser_fotografii/
https://www.facebook.com/lukasz.spychala.1995/
