Today I will present Darek Dziadek, the author of Life, Today. Darek is a photographer who likes to photograph common places, cars and electric poles.
1. Why photography?
Well, this is a tough one. Probably, because I have a need to tell someone how I see the world, and I'm not a very good storyteller. Taking a photo is much easier for me. Additionally, you can do it alone, you can listen to your favorite music during the process, and you have to walk a lot and observe. And I like walking, listening to music, observing and being alone.
2. What is your favourite gear? (camera, lens)
The one I have with me ;-)
Actually I don't have one favorite camera and lens, it's more like focal length and camera type. I have used many types of digital and analogue cameras, from very simple point and shoots, through professional DSLR’s, to a large format 4x5". And I always was super happy when the camera wasn't too complicated, and focal length was around 50mm.
Few models I liked the most:
- Canon 650 with 50mm / 1.4
- Mamiya Universal with 100mm / 3.5
Currently I'm using Ricoh GR3x and I don't need to change anything.
3. What are your favourite subjects to photograph?
B-sides landscapes, architecture, elements. Someone told me that my subjects are usually places everyone does not want or choose to see. And I think it's true. I'm capturing the obvious and I'm trying to prove there's beauty in it. For me, nothing is too ordinary. But of course, I can name some triggers which make me want to take a photo. Old buildings, randomly placed cars and piles of dirt. I love it.
4. Can you name a few of your favourite photographers?
William Eggleston, Stephen Shore. Love them both, totally. "Election Eve" and "Uncommon places" are my favorite photobooks of all time.
Lee Friedlander, however sometimes I have mixed feelings.
Alec Soth. Juergen Teller.
Additionally, there's some photographers I like to watch on Youtube - Nick Carver, Kyle McDougall, Paul Baldonado (Paulie.B), Samuel Lintaro Hopf (Samuel Streetlife)
5. What can Substack community expect from you/your publication in the future?
It's hard to be part of a community when introversion is your superpower. I started my Substack for myself, as a one year project to make some photos each week and publish it. Definitely I'll continue. Perhaps I can switch to English to make content more accessible (I tried, but I wasn't convinced tbh). I'm also an enthusiast DJ, so I think I can provide some quality house / techno mixes ;-)
Great photos, Darek. Subscribed!
Świetne fotki!