“I always tend to simplify things. So I decided to make minimal and light compositions with dark content.”
Milena Gjorgjevska
Interview with Milena Gjorgjevska
Milena, why did you become a photographer?
I guess to express myself and share my imagination. Photography has changed the way I see things.
What does photography mean to you and what do you want to transmit with your pictures? Has that changed over the years?
It means freedom. it’s a place where I can lose myself. It’s a challenge.
I want to transmit my perspective on things. I’m ready to experiment all the time and expand my range.
Your project is called “Pale on Pale”. How did the idea come about? How did you approach the project? And what have been the learnings?
The idea came after I made two or three photos. At that time I was fascinated with minimalism. I always tend to simplify things. So I decided to make minimal and light compositions with dark content.
What was the learnings? Oh, maybe to be more patient and determined.
On this project, I work with ideas. Some ideas were not clear to me until I stand behind the camera, others, on the contrary, I had to work on pretty hard in my mind before I put them in to photographs. I don’t want to, because it has happened to me, to lose a good idea because of bad realization.
Which photographer has inspired you most? Why?
Definitely Sally Mann. Her work is beautiful.
Dark, brutal and yet poetic.
What’s your favorite photography quote?
I shared this one in another interview:
“Mysteries lie all around us, even in the most familiar things, waiting only to be perceived”. Wynn Bullock
How would you describe your photographic voice and creative process?
I like to observe. From time to time I have fixations on things, colors or styles. So I try to make concept and implement it into story or photo.
What’s important in order to develop an own photographic voice?
Follow your intuition and practice a lot. Everybody wants to be recognized but they make mistake by following trends.
What qualities and characteristics does a good photographer need?
Sharp eye, imagination, persistence, curiosity.
What does a photo need to be a great photo in your eyes?
That depends. In art, photography is not all about technique. You need different perspective, not just replica of your subject. Besides composition and content, you need to transmit emotion or mood.
Where do you draw inspiration from for your photographic projects?
Art and artists.
What kind of photography equipment and photographic supplies do you use?
Digital cameras, lenses and analog lenses.
Are there any photo-apps you use? Which ones?
I use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.
What’s your favorite website about photography?
Right now Somewhere Magazine.
Which advice would you give someone who’s just starting as a photographer?
To work, research and practice all the time. Trough the work they’ll find their way. There is always room for learning and improvement for one self. That way you are going to build confidence and selfmotivation.
