Fotograf Erik Kruthoff

—Po prvé a predovšetkým - koho môžete vymenovať ako najlepšieho fotografa vo vašom meste? :)

—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 ;)

—Ste fotogenický?

—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 :)

—Ako ste sa dostali do fotografického priemyslu?

—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.

—Aké sú podľa vás najdôležitejšie súčasti dobrej 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.

—Máte radi cestovanie?

—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.

—Čo máte najradšej na vašej profesii?

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

—Čo sa vám páči najmenej na vašej profesii?

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

—Aká bude budúcnosť fotenia?

—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.

—Čo je výnimočné na žánri fotografií, na ktorý sa špecializujete?

—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.

—Ako zvládate 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.

—Sú nejaké trendy v oblasti fotografie?

—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.

—Aké by mal mať zákazník kritérium pri výbere 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.

—Čomu sa určite vyhnúť pri práci?

—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.

—Aké detaily, ktoré zvyčajne prejdú bez povšimnutia, si môže fotograf všimnúť?

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

—Čo ovplyvňuje hodnotu fotografie? Aké sú jej prvky?

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

—Ktorá osoba môže byť podľa vás symbolom 21. storočia?

—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.

—Koho chcete fotografovať?

—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 nejaké profesionálne tabu?

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

—S kým by ste chceli fotografovať?

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

—Čoho sa obávate a prečo?

—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.

—Aký bol váš najpôsobivejší okamih v živote?

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

—Ak by ste boli animovaná, literárna alebo filmová postava, kto by ste boli a prečo?

—Don Quixote

—Kto vás vo vašom živote inšpiruje a prečo?

—My two kids, easily.

—Ako definujete úspech? Ako ho meriate?

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

—Boli by ste radšej obľúbení alebo rešpektovaní?

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

—Aká je najväčšia chyba, ktorú ste kedy v práci urobili?

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

—Keď cestujete, čo si so sebou beriete a prečo?

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

—Existuje niečo, čo by ste si boli radšej nekúpili zo zariadení, ktoré vlastníte? Prečo?

—none.

—Ako sa vzdelávate, aby ste robili lepšie 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.

—Koho práca vás ovplyvnila najviac ako fotografa?

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

—Jedna vec, ktorú by ste chceli vedieť, keď ste začínali s fotením?

—Painting, Art History.

—Čo by ste chceli povedať cez vaše fotografie?

—A sense of shared humanity and an emotional connection.

—Čo vás motivuje v ďalšom fotografovaní?

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

—Mali byť vaši rodičia menej alebo viac prísni?

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

—Ak by ste sa mohli vrátiť v čase, čo by ste urobili inak?

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

—Čo tak život na druhých planétach?

—of course.

—Kto sú vaši hrdinovia?

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

—Kto nemá u vás žiadny rešpekt?

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

—Čo robíte vo svojom voľnom čase?

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

—Akú vašu tvár nikdy neukazujte na verejnosti?

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

—Kedy ste úplne spokojní s vašou prácou?

—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.

—Veríte v tradičné role mužov a žien?

—no

—Získavate ľahko nových priateľov?

—yes

—Kde by ste radi žili?

—On an island in warm weather

—Existuje život po svadbe?

—Sure.

—Máte obľúbený vtip? Povedzte 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 radi psy alebo mačky?

—Dogs, though I like both.

—Koho alebo čo nenávidíte?

—No way. I respect everyone.

—Najlepšia vec v živote je:

—People, nature, and shared human experiences.

—Najviac znepokojujúca vec v živote je:

—Hate and divisiveness.

—Existuje niečo okolo vás, čo by ste chceli zmeniť?

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

—Čo by ste chceli zmeniť na sebe?

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

—Čo by ste chceli zmeniť vo svete?

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

—Môžete dať niekoľko tipov pre fotografov, ktorí práve začínajú?

—Keep improving yourself.

—Keby prišli na našu planétu mimozemšťania a vy by ste boli prvou osobou, s ktorou sa stretnú, čo by ste im povedali?

—Have a beer!

—Ak by ste mali natočiť film, aký žáner by to bol?

—Drama

—Zajtra pôjdem a urobím...

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