Jovan Vidaković: I expect the authors to impart a bit more of their personal touch to the photos
Jovan Vidakovic (Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina)Award-winning theater and documentary photographer. His photographs have been published in a large number of daily newspapers, numerous magazines and magazines, photo monographs and on the covers of several music albums and books.
He has had seven solo exhibitions to date and has also participated in numerous group exhibitions and art projects. Participant, winner and expert of the International Theater Photography
Competition THEATRE EXPOSED
Jovan, tell us how you got into the profession? Is this a hobby from childhood or during your student years? What was your first camera?
You could say that photography has been present in almost my entire life. I received my first camera when I was around 10 years old, and since then we've been inseparable.
It started, of course, as a hobby, but through constant learning and hard work, a hobby has blossomed into a full-time job. It was a long time ago, but if I remember correctly, my first camera was a Hanimex 110 film camera. My first DSLR camera was a Canon 40D.
What is your basic education and what education do those who want to engage in professional photography need?
My formal education hasn't touched on photography, so you could say I'm autodidact.
Learning about photography is a fun process. It involves a lot of reading, hard work, workshops, courses, and knowledge exchange with fellow photographers...
What education do professional photographers need? The quicker and better route is a vocational school or an art college where you'll learn everything about photography, including the theory of photography and art.
The slower and more challenging approach is to pick up a camera and start learning by yourself. Whichever path they choose, they won't go wrong, as success in the photography business solely depends on their willingness to learn, progress, develop, and become better.
Jovan Vidakovic - Ad Infinitum Jovan Vidakovic - Mali Agaton
Who was your teacher or who is your role model in this profession?
It's hard for me to pick just one photographer as a role model. There are many whose work I admire, and I constantly try to learn from them. However, it's their approach to photography, their ethical considerations, and their way of thinking that resonate with me most, rather than their specific style or techniques. I believe that every photographer who takes pride in their work should develop their own unique style.
Jovan Vidakovic - Inspektor Kalabrezi Jovan Vidakovic - Jefimija
What equipment should someone who is engaged in theatrical photography have?
Theatre photography is extremely demanding from a technical perspective. Lighting is often dim, changes are unpredictable and often drastic. And of course, there are the actors, who move, run, dance... For high-quality theatre photography, you need equipment that can keep up. Lenses with wide apertures, a camera with good ISO performance...
Of course, high-end equipment is never crucial for good photography, but it certainly makes the job easier.
Jovan Vidakovic - Teatar 011 Jovan Vidakovic - Plavi andjeli
And about the Competition... your impressions of the works, from the participants, what do you expect from the new Competition
Theatre Exposed has been an excellent competition from the beginning, and I am truly glad to have been a part of it from day one, both as a participant and as a jury member. This is one of the rare competitions that exclusively focuses on theatrical photography, making it very valuable.
I am very happy that, as a jury member, I can follow the progress of the competition and its participants. Year after year, it becomes increasingly challenging to judge the photos because small details make the difference. So, this year, I expect improvement. I expect the authors to impart a bit more of their personal touch to the photos. What is certain is that I will enjoy the process of selecting them.
Jovan Vidakovic - Sluge Jovan Vidakovic - Slucajna smrt jednog anarhiste
Do you think that the technological revolution and artificial intelligence programs will affect the profession and how exactly?
Advancements in technology, particularly in AI, will undoubtedly revolutionize the photography industry from the ground up.
Like any major change, it may cause some initial discomfort, but I believe we should simply accept it and leverage its potential to enhance our work.
AI cannot replace photographers on the scene, but it can significantly streamline and accelerate the creative process. For instance, AI filters integrated into photo editing software already offer substantial assistance in post-production.
Jovan Vidakovic - Ray Jovan Vidakovic - Tri zime
Should you be wary of these applications and what will happen if not people, but bots, start sending photos to the competition?
While creating any artwork still requires a human, even if it's just the person typing in the prompt, it's a human nonetheless. AI-generated images are not photographs, and that distinction is still quite clear. Therefore, they shouldn't be included in photography competitions.
AI art is impressive and the possibilities are enormous, but including it in traditional photography competitions could blur the lines between distinct artistic mediums and potentially devalue the unique skills and techniques employed by photographers.
In future, competitions will need to establish clear guidelines and as AI technology continues to evolve, establishing separate categories within competitions could be a way to acknowledge and showcase both forms of artistic expression without diminishing either.
@jovan.vidakivic
@ulicni.hodac
jovan.vidakivic@hotmail.com
https://www.balkanartscene.com/post/jovan-vidakovi%C4%87-beauty-of-photographing-theater-is-that-each-performance-is-unique