Fotografas Erik Kruthoff

—Pirmiausia ir svarbiausia – ką galite įvardinti kaip geriausią fotografą jūsų mieste? :)

—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 ;)

—Ar esate fotogeniškas?

—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 :)

—Kaip jūs atsiradote fotografijos industrijoje?

—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.

—Jūsų nuomone, kokie yra svarbiausi geros nuotraukos komponentai?

—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.

—Ar mėgstate keliauti?

—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.

—Kas šioje profesijoje Jums patinka labiausiai?

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

—Kas šioje profesijoje Jums patinka mažiausiai?

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

—Kokia bus fotografijos ateitis?

—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.

—Kuo ypatingas fotografijos žanras, kuriame jūs specializuojatės?

—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.

—Kaip susitvarkote su kritika?

—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.

—Ar fotografijoje egzistuoja tendencijos?

—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.

—Kokie turėtų būti kliento kriterijai, kad pasirinkti fotografą?

—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.

—Kokių dalykų turi būti vengiama fotografuojant?

—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.

—Kokias detales, kurios paprastai būna nepastebėtos, gali pastebėti fotografas?

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

—Kas įtakoja nuotraukos vertę? Kokie yra jos elementai?

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

—Koks žmogus Jūsų manymu galėtų būti 21 amžiaus simboliu?

—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.

—Ką norite fotografuoti?

—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.

—Ar turite profesinių tabu?

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

—Su kuo norėtumėte kartu fotografuoti?

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

—Dėl ko nerimaujate ir kodėl?

—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.

—Kas yra įsimintiniausias dalykas nutikęs Jūsų gyvenime?

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

—Jeigu būtumėte animacinio filmo, knygos arba filmo veikėju, kuo norėtumėte būti ir kodėl?

—Don Quixote

—Kas ir kodėl Jus įkvepia gyvenime?

—My two kids, easily.

—Kaip Jūs apibrėžtumėte sėkmės terminą? Kaip ją "matuojate"?

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

—Geriau būti mėgiamu ar gerbiamu?

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

—Kokia yra didžiausia klaida kurią padarėte darbe?

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

—Kuomet keliaujate, ką ir kodėl imate su savimi?

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

—Ar tarp turimų prietaisų yra tokių kurių geriau būtumėte nepirkę? Kodėl?

—none.

—Kaip mokotės gauti kokybiškesnes nuotraukas?

—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.

—Kieno darbas jus kaip fotografą įtakojo labiausiai?

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

—Išskirkite vieną dalyką kurį būtumėte norėjęs žinoti prieš pradedant fotografo karjerą?

—Painting, Art History.

—Ką norite pasakyti savo nuotraukomis?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Kas motyvuoja Jus toliau fotografuoti?

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

—Jūsų tėvai turėjo būti labiau ar mažiau griežti?

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

—Jeigu galėtumėte grįžti į praeitį, ką darytumėte kitaip?

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

—Ką manote apie gyvybę kitose planetose?

—of course.

—Kas yra jūsų herojai?

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

—Kam nejaučiate pagarbos?

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

—Ką veikite laisvalaikiu?

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

—Kokia yra Jūsų pusė, kurios visuomenė niekada nemato?

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

—Kada esate visiškai patenkinti savo darbu?

—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.

—Ar tikite tradicinėmis vyrų ir moterų rolėmis?

—no

—Ar lengvai randate draugų?

—yes

—Kur norėtumėte gyventi?

—On an island in warm weather

—Ar gyveimas tęsiasi po vedybų?

—Sure.

—Ar turite mėgstamą anekdotą? Papasakokite.

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

—Labiau mėgstate šunis ar kates?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Ko nekenčiate?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Geriausias dalykas gyvenime yra:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Labiausiai erzinantis dalykas gyvenime yra:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Ar yra kas nors aplink jus, ką norėtumėte pakeisti?

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

—Ką norėtmėte pakeisti savyje?

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

—Ką norėtumėte pakeisti pasaulyje?

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

—Ar galite duoti keletą patarimų tik pradedantiems fotografams?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Jei į žemę atvyktų ateiviai ir jūs būtumėte pirmas jų sutiktas žmogus, ką jiems pasakytumėte?

—Have a beer!

—Jei filmuotumėtė filmą, koks būtų jo žanras?

—Drama

—Rytoj aš eisiu ir darysiu...

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