Bored Panda reached out to Filip Hrebenda, a photographer who recently won the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania & Moldova Regional Awards Shortlist for the Sony Awards 2023. Filip was kind enough to share his thoughts on his recent success, his approach to photography, and his advice for aspiring photographers.
When asked about the inspiration behind his shortlisted photograph, Filip shared that the location was very dear to his heart. "I return to this place often because I have been organizing photo workshops here for years," he explained. "The photo was taken during a frosty night in the High Tatras (Slovakia). It is not easy to capture the moment when the mountain lakes are frozen and without snow at the same time. But at that night it worked well. I knew that the milky way would be moving between the hills, so I 'climbed' on all fours to an interesting crack in the ice and photographed the scene with the stars."
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Filip was understandably pleased that his work had been recognized by such a prestigious competition. "Although photography is not a competition, I am very glad that my work attracted an international jury and was awarded several times in many photography awards over the world," he said. "This fact drives me further and further in my work."
When asked about his approach to photography, Filip shared that planning was a crucial element of his creative process. "It is not easy to find places that are special," he said. "That's why I first look for places and compositions that are not over-photographed yet. Subsequently, I try to capture suitable atmospheric conditions on them. It involves a lot of traveling and often difficult treks in harsh conditions."
Despite the challenges he faces as a landscape photographer, Filip is grateful for the opportunity to pursue his passion. "Making a 'name' for yourself as a landscape photographer is not easy these days," he acknowledged. "But I'm very happy that today I can make a living doing what I enjoy."
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Filip's advice to aspiring photographers is to focus on developing their own style rather than following current trends. "Spend a lot of time in the 'field' and perceive what is happening around you," he advised. "Try to bring these feelings into your work. This is the only way to create your style – something that will make your photography unique."
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