Fotograf Erik Kruthoff

—Za prvé a především – koho můžete jmenovat jako nejlepšího fotografa ve vašem městě? :)

—I believe there is no set of criteria to judge who is "best". Different people want different things in their wedding photos and the goal is to find the best match for what you are looking for. I do know that I am good at what I do. If you like my style and vision than I am the best for you. All artists have to have at least a little bit of ego ;)

—Jste fotogeničtí?

—A mentor of mine, Magnum Photographer David Alan Harvey, once taught me how to "see myself" in my work. If you are true to your inner voice and vision, you should be able to look at a photograph and instantly tell who made it. Good photography is a collaborative effort between the photographer and the subject. So, I guess the answer is yes :)

—Jak jste se dostali do fotografického průmyslu?

—As a high school student I spent as much time in the dark room as possible, learning the craft of photography: Shooting, developing, and printing my own work on black and white film. My teacher identified a talent in me early on and I eventually came to make a career out of it. I couldn't ask for much more than making my passion into my job.

—Jaké jsou podle vás nedůležitější součásti dobré fotografie?

—It's a combination of three elements working in concert with one another: Light, composition, and moment. A good photo will elicit an emotional response from the viewer.

—Cestujete rádi?

—Always! I am not a notch-in-the-belt type of traveler, though. I don't operate on a bucket list and instead prefer more meaningful travel and making human and cultural connections with the people and places I encounter. I enjoy a night at the pub chatting with locals over seeing a tour-bus tourist crowded monument or famous attraction.

—Co máte nejredši na vaší profesi?

—Capturing special moments and memories that will be looked at and enjoyed for many years to come.

—Co se vám líbí nejméně na vaší profesi?

—Not really. Even during more challenging parts, I love to come up with solutions, be flexible and try new things.

—Jaká je budoucnost focení?

—I don't think it will change too much. Sure, trends will change but no camera or gadget or software can ever replace an artist's eye.

—Co je výjimečného na žánru fotografií, na který se specializujete?

—The pressure. You only have one shot at it and you never know what will be thrown your way. You have to be quick thinking and ready to adapt in any situation.

—Jak zvládáte kritiku?

—When I was younger, not well. Now that I am a bit older and have a family, I have learned the value of keeping my mouth shut and becoming a better listener.

—Jsou nějaké trendy v oblasti focení?

—I think too many wedding photographers go into a wedding with their own agenda. The have a shot list that they must do every time and think about their own portfolio instead of listening to the clients wants and personalities.

—Jaké by měl mít zákazník kritérium při výběru fotografa?

—Ask to see entire galleries from a recent REAL wedding. Instagram and social media only showcase the best, most over the top images and many times come from stylized shoots of models. Have a meeting with them ahead of time to get to know each other. It's important to have this relationship.

—Co není dovoleno při focení?

—Anything goes for me as long as it doesn't offend or hurt anyone. You have to be able to read the crowd and understand the sensibilities of your clients.

—Jakých detailů, které obvykle projdou bez povšimnutí, si může fotograf všimnout?

—Often times the best picture is behind the obvious action. I stay aware and on my toes to capture these little gems whenever possible.

—Co ovlivňuje hodnotu fotografie? Jaké jsou její prvky?

—A good photo makes an emotional connection with the viewer.

—Kdo může být podle vás symbolem 21. století?

—I have no idea :/ I don't really idolize anyone in particular. I'm just trying to learn who I am and how I can contribute to this world.

—Co chcete fotit?

—Fun-loving adventurous couples. I have shot celebrities before and just just treat them like regular people. I don't get star struck and think of everyone as unique individuals with their own interesting story to tell.

—Máte nějaké profesní tabu?

—If your clients like it, it's all good.

—S kým byste chtěli fotit?

—My favorite wedding photographers: Fer Juaristi, Emin Kuliyev, Victor Lax

—Čeho se bojíte a proč?

—I try not to worry whenever possible. I think every wedding photographer is a little worried of failure. Once I get the photos on my computer and see that I did my job, that goes away.

—Jaký byl nejpůsobivější okamžik ve vašem životě?

—Meeting my wife and the births of my son and daughter.

—Pokud byste byli animovaná, literární nebo filmová postava, kdo byste byli a proč?

—Don Quixote

—Kdo vás inspiruje ve vašem životě a proč?

—My two kids, easily.

—Jak byste definovali úspěch? Jak ho měříte?

—Creating meaningful art and making my clients happy. Always improving your self and honing your skills. There's no end or limit to learning.

—Byli byste raději oblíbení nebo respektovaní?

—Respected. I am very comfortable with who I am and how I work and want to remain true to myself.

—Jaká je největší chyba, kterou jste kdy v práci udělali?

—Undervaluing the importance of having relationships with other industry professionals.

—Když cestujete, co si berete s sebou a proč?

—A change of clothes and my camera. What else do you need?

—Existuje něco, co byste si byli raději nekoupili z vašich pomůcek, které vlastníte? A proč?

—none.

—Jak se vzděláváte, abyste pořidili lepší fotografie?

—I invest a lot of time in education to further my skills and vision. I study the works of the masters throughout the history of photography. I have been lucky enough to work alongside some of them. I go to at least one workshop each year to stay fresh and inspired to create.

—Čí práce vás ovlivnila nejvíce jako fotografa?

—Fer Juaristi, Emin Kuliyev, Victor Lax, Sam Hurd, Ryan Brenizer, Jose Villa

—Jedna věc, kterou byste si přáli vědět, když jste začínali s focením?

—Painting, Art History.

—Co byste rádi řekli skrze vaše fotografie?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Co vás motivuje v dalším focení?

—Always improving, always searching for the perfect light and the perfect moment.

—Měli vaši rodiče být méně nebo více přísní?

—I love my parents. I wouldn't change a thing.

—Pokud byste se mohli vrátit v čase, co byste udělali jinak?

—Not major in Spanish in college, lol! Everything happens for a reason though and I have no regrets.

—Co o životě na ostatních planetách?

—of course.

—Kdo jsou vaši hrdinové?

—My mentor and teacher, David Alan Harvey. We share kindred spirits.

—Pro koho nemáte žádný respekt?

—I'm not a hater and won't even go there :)

—Co děláte ve svém volném čase?

—Enjoying life with my family, travelling, listening to music, watching films, playing sports.

—Jakou vaši tvář nikdy neuvidí veřejnost?

—I am who I am. Don't want to be anything but me.

—Kdy jste zcela spokojeni s vaší prací?

—Once I have the photos loaded into my computer and go over them for the first time and choose images for the sampler gallery to send to the couple.

—Věříte v tradiční role mužů a žen?

—no

—Získáváte snadno nové přátele?

—yes

—Kde byste rádi žili?

—On an island in warm weather

—Existuje život po svatbě?

—Sure.

—Máte oblíbený vtip? Povězte nám ho.

—I still remember what my grandfather told me before he kicked the bucket.He said,
"I wonder how far I can kick this bucket."

—Máte rádi psy a kočky?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Koho nebo co nenávidíte?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Nejlepší věc v životě je:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Nejotravnější věc v životě je:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Existuje něco, co byste chtěli změnit?

—Showing people the beauty that's all around us.

—Co byste chtěli změnit na sobě?

—Maybe a few years younger? Everything hurts more now, lol!

—Co byste chtěli změnit ve světě?

—To have people see the humanity in those they disagree with.

—Máte nějaké tipy pro začínající fotografy?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Kdyby přišli na naši planetu mimozemšťané a vy byste byli první osobou, se kterou se potkají, co byste jim řekli?

—Have a beer!

—Pokud byste měli natočit film, jakého žánru by byl?

—Drama

—Zítra půjdu a udělám...

—I will be attending an open critique at a local art gallery to get feedback on a book I am working on.