Fotogrāfs Erik Kruthoff

—Pirmkārt un galvenokārt - kurš Tavuprāt ir labākais fotogrāfs Tavā pilsētā? :)

—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 ;)

—Vai Tu esi fotogēnisks?

—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 :)

—Kā tu nokļuvi fotogrāfijas jomā?

—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.

—Kuri, Tavuprāt, ir svarīgākie labas fotogrāfijas elementi?

—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.

—Vai Tu mīli ceļošanu?

—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 Tev vislabāk patīk savā profesijā?

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

—Kas Tavā profesijā Tev patīk vismazāk?

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

—Kāda būs fotogrāfijas nākotne?

—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.

—Kas ir īpašs fotogrāfijas žanrā, kurā specializējies?

—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.

—Kā Tu uztver 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.

—Vai fotogrāfijā ir kādas īpašas tendences?

—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.

—Kādi ir kritēriji, kas klientam jāņem vērā, izvēloties fotogrāfu?

—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.

—No kā fotogrāfējot būtu jāizvairās?

—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.

—Kādus parasti nepamanītus brīžus var notvert fotogrāfs?

—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 ietekmē fotogrāfijas vērtību? Kādi ir tās elementi?

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

—Kurš cilvēks, Tavuprāt, varētu būt 21. gadsimta simbols?

—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.

—Ko Tu vēlētos fotogrāfēt?

—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.

—Vai Tev ir kādi profesionālie tabu?

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

—Ar ko Tu kopā vēlētos fotogrāfēt?

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

—Par ko Tu satraucies un kāpēc?

—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 ir Tavas dzīves iespaidīgakais brīdis?

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

—Ja Tu būtu multfilmas, grāmatas vai filmas varonis, kurš tas būtu un kāpēc?

—Don Quixote

—Kas Tevi iedvesmo dzīvē un kāpēc?

—My two kids, easily.

—Kā Tu definētu veiksmi? Vai to var izmērīt?

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

—Vai Tev labāk patīk tikt mīlētam vai tikt cienītam?

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

—Kas ir lielākā kļūda, ko Tu esi pieļāvis darbā?

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

—Kad Tu plāno ceļot, ko Tu ņem līdzi un kāpēc?

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

—Vai kāda ierīcēm (gadžetiem), kas Tev pieder, ir tāda, kuru Tev nebūtu vajadzējis pirkt? Kāpēc?

—none.

—Kā Tu mācies, lai uzņemtu arvien labākas fotogrāfijas?

—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.

—Kuri darbi Tevi kā fotogrāfu ir visvairāk iedvesmojuši?

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

—Kas ir tā lieta, ko Tu būtu gribējis zināt pirms sāki nodarboties ar fotogrāfēšanu?

—Painting, Art History.

—Ko Tu vēlies pastāstīt ar savām fotogrāfijām?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Kas Tevi motivē turpināt uzņemt fotogrāfijas?

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

—Vai Tavi vecāki bija stringri vai netik stingri?

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

—Ja Tu varētu ceļot atpakaļ laikā, ko Tu darītu savādāk?

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

—Ko Tu domā par dzīvi uz citām planētām?

—of course.

—Kas ir Tavi varoņi?

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

—Ko Tu necieni?

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

—Ko Tu dari brīvajā laikā?

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

—Kuru Tavu pusi citi nekad neredz?

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

—Kad Tu esi pilnībā apmierināts ar savu 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.

—Vai Tu tici tradicionālajam lomu sadalījumam starp vīrieti un sievieti?

—no

—Vai Tu vienkārši sadraudzējies?

—yes

—Kur Tu vēlētos dzīvot?

—On an island in warm weather

—Vai pastāv dzīve pēc kāzām?

—Sure.

—Vai Tev ir mīļākais joks? Pastāsti to mums.

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

—Kas Tev patīk labāk - kaķi vai suņi?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Vai ir kaut kas vai kāds, ko Tu ienīsti?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Labākā lieta dzīvē ir:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Kaitinošākā lieta dzīvē ir:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Vai ir kaut kas tāds, ko Tu vēlētos mainīt?

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

—Ko Tu gribētu mainīt sevī?

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

—Ko Tu vēlētos mainīt pasaulē?

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

—Kādi būtu Tavi padomi jaunajiem fotogrāfiem?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Ja uz zemes nolaistos citplanētieši un Tu būtu pirmais, ko viņi satiktu, ko Tu viņiem teiktu?

—Have a beer!

—Ja Tev būtu iespēja uzņemt filmu, kāda žanra filma tā būtu?

—Drama

—Rīt es aiziešu un izdarīšu...

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