Jiri Ruzek's interview

" The beauty of woman body goes hand in hand with the secrets of her soul and you can't see them separately." Jiri Ruzek

"Come to the Cabaret"

 

Jiri Ruzek at his new Photography Blog, deviantART.

Dear Jiri, could you tell us how did your passion for photography begin ?

I started to take photos when I was a kid, using a Soviet kamera, brand Smena, like a lot of children in my country, but I can't say it was any serious shooting, it was just for fun. I was living for music and I wanted to be a rock star :).

In 1995, when I was 28, I started to take a shots of various rock bands and asked my friend, who was a fashion model, if she could stand as a model for me. I knew I'd like to work with people, with their expressions, moods and feelings. In 2004 I moved from my home town Litomerice to Prague and this was the beginning of the "New Age" :).

"Antique Body"

How did you get into nude art photography ?

The beauty of woman body goes hand in hand with the secrets of her soul and you can't see them separately, if you want to capture and express this complex called Woman.

If you, at the first sight, see a bad girl on my photo, look into her eyes and then ask yourself - am I certain she is bad ? If you see an angel girl, look at her face again, are you still sure ? I try to capture these small nuances into my portraits, questions and dares in her eyes, regardless if she is naked or not. But I suppose you want to hear something about my beginnings. Of course, it was hard for me, I was very nervous during my first nude model shooting, more shy than the actual model and the photos were very bad :).


Everything is in the detail... Did you learn your art in a special school ?

No, I didn't, I studied two very different schools - computers and programming and later song lyrics and scripts writing, but not photography.










"Midnight Break"





How long could you be far from your camera ?

I am not one of those photographers who you won't meet without camera on their neck. Sometimes I have a period when I want to take photos anytime and anywhere, but sometimes I feel I need a break and it can take weeks or even months. I take photos only if necessary during this period.


Wise choice. And who are your greatest inspirators ?

It's hard to say. I am always in a progress and it's possible I don't like what I've admired one year ago. I like a lot of photographs of many styles created by many great photographers, not necessarily only the Masters of photography.

"Headphones II"

Of course, I like the work of Helmut Newton - it can sound like a cliche, but if we respect Hendrix in modern music, we must respect Newton in modern photography. I don't want to copy his work, I just feel something very familiar in his provoking perception of the situation and the woman beauty.

I see something similar in the work of Roy Stuart or my close friend Jan Hronsky, although every one of them does it his own way. I also have to remember great Czech photographer Jindrich Vanek (R.I.P.), some of his photos talk to me in a similar way. As I've mentioned, I am also inspired by many unknown photographers every day. I have a lot of friends in Czech Republic and the whole world, who create great photos. I won't say any names, because I don't want to forget someone.

"Deep Night XX"

Deep Night Series

" More than 3 years after taking the shots I decided to publish for the first time complete series of these dramatic, depressive, but still very sexy photographs taken by Sony photocamera using its night vision (infrared) feature. Enjoy all 57 high resolution photos "as is" exclusively in the GRAND GALLERY on my website."

You're right ! How long dit it take to find your style ? How do you define it ?

Do you think I already have my own style ? :) I think it's a neverending story and when I'll think I have found it, maybe it will be the right time to stop taking photos. I agree with Bono's "I still haven't found what I'm looking for…", I don't know if I'll ever find it and I am not sure it's required to find it, perhaps the quest for it is the only important thing in every kind of art.

I don't know how to define my photos in few words. There is an eroticism in them, but I don't create first plan erotic photos, I try to capture the natural beauty. You can feel an eroticism, because it's natural and it's a part of woman. In the moment of taking the photo I can be excited by the instant beauty of the model and the whole scene and image, but I don't feel any sexual arousing.

"Silence"

"Palm Leaves"

What is your process of creation ? Are you planning every detail ?

I can create exactly what I have planned only with the models I know, but when the model goes hundreds of kilometers to see me and I have never seen her before - except the photos created by other photographers - I have to improvise, because my photos always depend on the mood of the moment.


Do you feel particularly inspired by a type of location ?

Yes, when I see any interesting place or interior, I imagine it with a model and want to photograph there. But sometimes when I actually do it I get disenchanted, when I can't get the result I've seen in my fantasy.








"Saturday Evening"





















I don't see a true preference in your work, indoors, outdoors, bw or color ?All of the above, because I like variety.

I love to take photos in the oldest parts of Prague as much as in my old attic. I have three windows there for daylight shooting and also some lights.

The only difference between BW and color photo is in my momental mood and feeling. I like both of them.

Some words about your models ? A shooting that you particularly liked ?

I've been talking about the union of body and soul. All my models are lovely, but not in that Playboy-empty-plastic-babydolls like style, there must be "Something". Some special nonverbal communication, something I see in her eyes and feel in every part of her body - that's why I call it "body language". It is enough to see her fingers, part of her leg or the way she moves her head and I know she could be My Model. She doesn't have to be perfect, but she must be interesting. I will not shoot her as a perfect body, but as interesting woman.

Few days ago someone asked me "why the goose-bumps ?" and my answer was : "it is a part of life". Is your girlfriend or wife perfect ? Although I don't know her I don't think so, but I believe she is beautiful for you.

I think a lot of all my good models and I like to take new photos with them again and again. I could never create good photos without them.

"Blonde Sculpture"

"Blonde Sculpture II"

I understand. How do you feel at the end of a shooting ?

Maybe you are expecting some deep thought, but the answer is simple - tired. With a good or a bad feeling of the result, but mostly tired. You can compare it with sports or music gig, when you put all your energy into the performance and result.

"Handcuffs"

Have you a special project, some challenges you're dreaming about in a near future ?

I just would like to grow in both artistic and technical way for ever. Other things like success, money etc… are not important… Just kidding, do you know any artist who refuses it ? :)


No. We all need to eat... Is your next exhibition already scheduled ?

Currently you can visit an exhibition of my photographs in one Prague café. Follow the actual information on my website.










"Backstage Dancing II"





















Have you published your work ?I sometimes publish in some Czech magazines, mostly fashion or documentary photographs.

A book ? Not yet, but if you know any publisher, who would like to… ;)


I note it !... A message to send ?

I appreciate your hard work on this website, it is really great to see such neat gallery amongst the tons of internet scrap and I am honoured you've invited me to be a part of it. Thank you. And I also want to thank my girlfriend Lída for her patience and love. She helps me so much every day.

Thanks Jiri ! For these kind words, for your nice participation and your wonderful work ! This space is yours, come back soon !

"Woman"

Welcome Tim Pile

Award winning photographer Tim Pile talks about his work:

As you can probably guess from the headline I chose for this feature I try not to take things too seriously, and hopefully this is reflected in some of my images. I am an amateur photographer from Birmingham, England. I use the term amateur not just because I make no income from photography, but also because the true definition of amateur is someone who does something "for the love of it", and that's certainly the primary driver behind my photography. I just love working with models and between us creating ideas for images, whether this be in a studio with my ever-expanding bag of props, or at one of the many locations I seem to spend large amounts of time hunting down and researching on the Internet.

When finding locations I am the ultimate opportunist. 

I will contact landscape photographers on forums I frequent about where their images were taken, and they in turn have supplied details of lots of amazing places to shoot at. If friends have properties that I think would look good I will approach them about shooting there.

I also collaborate with many other photographers, as a second photographer is useful as a lookout on location shoots, and I also find that some of our creativity rubs off on each other leading to both of us producing better images.

Location work gives both the model and the photographer so many opportunities for creativity. For the photographer it's all about finding interesting compositions and viewpoints, while for models I like to think of locations as a playground where they can be themselves and express their personality. Locations allow poses that are just not possible in a studio, or they can make very simple and potentially uninteresting poses produce really strong images because of other elements in the image.

I have had a very technical career, and until recently had no real interest in anything artistic. I started shooting models just under 4 years ago, jointly with two female photographers primarily to keep down costs, but also so that we could learn off each other. This worked very well, and I like to think that some of their feminine touch has rubbed off on me, and influenced my photographic style. Even now most of the photographers I collaborate with are female.

What are my images about? Well I honestly don't really know as my style is still developing rapidly, but as far as I can see my images appear to be strongly influenced by shapes, whether this be the shape of the landscape or surroundings, or the pose of the model, and this probably comes from my mathematical background. Most of my images have very little post-processing applied to them, this is not because I am a purist, but because I still have to unlock the door in my mind that leads to the creative imagery that I see in so many of the photographers that inspire me.

I try to capture both the beauty and the personality of the models I am working with in my images, and always involve models in the idea creation as much as possible, as two brains are always better than one.  

I tend to work with a small number of models repeatedly, as I have good working relationships with them, and because having worked together before we both see it is a challenge to produce something different and better than that we have produced before.

My images been successful with numerous photographic awards and distinctions, but I prefer my images to do the talking. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as the models and I have enjoyed producing them, and a big thank you to all the models who have made producing these images such an enjoyable experience.

Thank you Tim for your contribution!

Miss Anya's interview

"The undressed is vulgar. The nude is pure", I read that and understood it. And since then I've been impressed, fascinated, and attracted to the human body, I wanted to explore what I could do with it as works of art." Miss Anya

Miss Anya at deviantART, Model Mayhem.

Miss Anya by Jason Fassnacht
"Lil Green Fairy"

In June 2007, Anya wrote :

" I am a model not a photographer. Some day I will be perhaps. I myself treat my modeling more like a performance art than anything else."

One month later :

" Well, I guess I can no longer say that I am just a model. I'm trying myself out in photography and something or other is coming out." 

Quickly followed by :

" I know I have to find the next step. Which is always the hardest to take."

And she's working hard to find her style, full of hope, or loosing her confidence, but learning day after day her art with love and passion, suffering like a true artist. That's the way...

"Double Take"
Model Emmanuel and Anya
" Photographed by Emmanuel and me. Post-production by Krista Muller."

Dear Anya, how did your passion for photography begin ?

I decided to try modeling as soon as I turned 18. I joined Model Mayhem and soon found Jason Fassnacht, who was a fine art nude photographer in the area.

After having shoots with him, I got into modeling, and learned things about studio photography from watching.

When I felt ready, I picked up the camera myself, and became the photographer. I feel that it is important to learn both sides of anything you do.



How did you get into nude art photography ?

From modeling nude, I opened up a lot to appreciate and accept myself and others. "The undressed is vulgar. The nude is pure", I read that and understood it. And since then I've been impressed, fascinated, and attracted to the human body, I wanted to explore what I could do with it as works of art.

Miss Anya by Thomas Landon
"Blue Green"

You're actually learning your art, isn'it ?

I'm currently studying sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. When it comes to photography, however, I prefer to lear from one-on-one experiences.


How long could you be far from your camera ?

I actually don't have a camera at the moment. I'm lucky to have Krista Muller allow me to use her studio and equipment when needed. Also, I spend a couple of weeks at Raven Laughter's house last summer, using his camera to photograph his lovely wife and learning the Photoshop techniques he uses.







Miss Anya by Haleh Bryan
"Yesterday"





Who are your greatest inspirators ?

Greatest ? I don't know. I have so many people that inspire me all the time, and sometimes, when the moments just right, I can use their inspiration in my work.

The photographers I've modeled for inspire me a lot. Besides the ones I've mentioned, there's A.J. Kahn, Andrew Kaiser, Haleh Bryan... All of them I watch and learn from. I'm sort of a voyeur when it comes to being inspired and learning from others. I just watch what they do and try to understand their thought process.


I know you're still searching your style...

I definitely don't have my style yet. I'm still young, everything I do is hit or miss. If I'm lucky, it's mostly a hit. But I have so many things to try before I find my own style.

"We all ask questions"
Model Emmanuel

You'll find it ! Anyway, and today, what is your process of creation ? Do you plan every details ?

I mostly deal with photography the way I live my life : in the moment. I've noticed that when I plan ahead, a lot of time, it does not go in sync with the energy the person is letting off, and no matter what is done afterwards, the image is a miss. So I make decisions quickly as to how to approach the subject, and the concept it is demonstrating. Sometimes, I just go with the flow and the main idea doesn't hit me until I'm editing the photo. I believe a lot of it just has to do with the energies of the photographer and model flowing together to create one whole thing.

"Emmanuel Squared"
Model Emmanuel

Miss Anya by Brian Sullivan
"Bound 3"

Just like me with my words... Do you feel particularly inspired by a type of location ?

I'm most comfortable in a studio at the moment, as my greatest knowledge is of studio lighting. But I'm definitely interested in expanding that to shooting in other locations among nature.


What are your preferences ?

 It all depends of course. Some images look better in color, while others look better in black and white. The black and white does have a more classic feel to it, though. But like I said, it depends on what is desired from the outcome.


Some words about your models ?

Miya is absolutely amazing ! She will be anything you want her to, and her facial expressions have a great range.

"The Priestess Final"
Art Models Faith and Miya

" This is my first ever photo manipulation. Learned a lot doing it and will definitely make more. Great thanks to Ravens Laughter."

How do you feel at the end of a shooting ?

Content.


Not tired ?! Great... Have you a special project, some challenges you're dreaming about in a near future ?

I don't plan ahead too much. There's a lot of things I want to do, but I don't want to ruin attempting them until the moments right. Everything I'm shooting right now is inspired by the model on the spot.

Miss Anya by Ravens Laughter
"Keeping weakness in front of you"












I understand. Besides shooting, I saw you have another passion...

Sculpture. The human body is my subject in this medium as well. I find that one can help the other greatly.


A message to send ?

I'm just starting out as a photographer, so I don't have a lot of work finished yet. I do want to go forth with this and see what I can do with the body, and how I can convey it to others.

You belong the vision dear Anya, and the experience. This interview (with the first nude male pictures of this site !) is the proof you needed... Shoot and shoot, work hard, keep your goal and you'll succeed ! Come back quickly !

Miss Anya by A.J. Kahn
"Mimicry"

Johannes Schwab's Interview

" Even if the majority of my pictures shows nudity, I seriously consider them as portraits. The naked body is nothing by itself without the story that only the face can tell." Johannes Schwab

Claire

Johannes Schwab at deviantART.

Johannes, how really did your passion for photography begin ?

When I was 15 years old I saw Dennis Hopper as a mad photographer in the movie "Apocalypse now" and it was the first time I clearly realized what I wanted to be.

My uncle gave me the old Nikon from my grandfather and since this moment I had my passion... I began to shot everything and after a while I started to develop my pictures by my own, in the bathroom, hypnotized by the red light and the magic of slowly appearing images. I knew that it was the only thing I wanted to do in my life.


What a lucky man you are, knowing your right place in the world so young... And how did you learn your art ?

I learned a lot by watching pictures, thinking about them, experimenting. I did some first assistant jobs for photographers, and in 1992 I started to study photography in Munchen.

C.

How long could you be far from your camera ?

Im not this type of spontaneous photographer who always takes his camera around... My creative process is thinking about something and when I know what I want I try to realize it.


Who are your favorite photographers ?

When I was younger, I was deeply fascinated by photographers like Joel-Peter Witkin, Robert Frank, Larry Clark, Jim Goldberg... Later I added Boris Mikhailov, Nobuyoshi Araki. Today, I still love them all but my most inspiring artist is definitively Richard Avedon.


How long dit it take to find your so original style ?

I don't know if I have a own style... But I always try to find something clear and reduced with a subtile story behind. I like this type of bold pictures where is something you have to think about it without clearly knowing what it is.

Zeynep

Nene



And you succeed ! In your own and so original style... Is your photography mostly nudes ?

Even if the majority of my pictures shows nudity, I seriously consider them as portraits. The naked body itself is nothing without the story that only the face can tell.


Are you planning every details or is it improvisation from the beginning to the end ?

When I'm doing my studio portrait works it's simple. I nearly use always the same lightning and technique, so I'm completely free to focus on the person in front of me, then it's psychological improvisation.


What locations do you tend to use mainly ? Studio I think ?

My portrait works are mostly in the studio... But I also love to be outside.

Danielle

Some words about your "natural" models ?

They are nearly all amateurs and often the first time in front of a camera. I like this kind of non-awareness about themselves, what is often the precondition of real beauty.

Theresa

Ida

Do you remember a shooting you particularly liked ?

Some years ago I had a shooting with Jean Baudrillard, a french philosopher for a german magazine... I was really impressed by him.


How do you feel at the end of a shooting ?
Tired and hungry.


Do you know you're not the only one to feel like this ?... Have you some challenges you're dreaming about in a near future ?

Of course... A nude-portrait of Cate Blanchett !


Good luck ! When will be your next exhibition ?

I guess next near.









Tatjana





I'm sure you still have published a book ? And is there one to come ?

 I'm doing a lot of magazine-work and I'm thinking about my first own book.


Keep us informed ! Besides shooting, have you another passion ?

Of course... My wonderful wife Minon (and by the way... she's better than me).


A message to send ?

Thank you !

Thank you to you, Johannes ! Very much. You're great !

Charlotte