by  Yvette Depaepe

Mood, feelings and passion for photography are the characteristics of  Sebastian Prioteasa's  wonderful and diversified work.  He wants to take the viewer on a journey by expressing his deepest feelings in every image.  Let's take a few journeys with Sebastian today through this fine interview.

“Enchanted Forest II”  

Briefly tell us about yourself, Sebastian.
I believe that I am a work in progress myself!  I try to learn everyday, I enjoy life and aim to make “the” difference.  Photography, sports and nature are my passions. I believe in peace, love and taking care of the world we live in.

How has your history and life experiences affected your photography?
Which are your most important experiences that has influenced your art?
It’s all about smiles and cries. We all have our pain, fear, joy etc. We just have to learn how to express ourselves and we are blessed when we are able to do that through art in general.

"She's like the wind..."

“Candle”

 
What first attracted you to photography?
I started to love photography from cinema and from nature. The moment I was able to really see and to observe people and nature was when I could express myself through photography. Watching a sunrise or a sunset even without a camera by my side is something that I really enjoy. I believe that we have to observe, understand and respect the environment.

“House of the Rising Sun”

Describe your overall photographic vision.
I believe in statements, in details.  Every photo should take you on a journey.
Currently everyone takes photos and publishes them somewhere on the internet  The message photography brings is of utmost importance.

“Soccer”

"One day at the museum..."

Your work is very diversified but you have your own style, whatever the subject is.
What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
The mood and the story are definitely what keeps me going regarding photography.
I love all photography genres, but, as I said, it’s very important to have a message, to do it in your own style. Photography is something personal to me. I try not to just publish any photo, but to carefully choose the ones that matter.

“D.”

“Candle”

What generally is your relationship to your subject matter beyond being an observer?  Do you prepare carefully the locations where you are intending to photograph?
I go on photo journeys and I kind of plan ahead as the place where I live is not very offering photography wise. Knowing your subject helps a lot in portrait photography as knowing the surroundings helps with street or landscape photography or whatever but I don’t underestimate the power of spontaneity.

“Sunrise”

What gear do you use (camera, lenses, bag)?
Canon with different lenses, 24-70mm and 70-200mm being the most common.
I love my Leica, now I use a M (typ240), one of the best camera ever made.

“Forgotten world”

What software do you use to process your images?
Bridge + Camera Raw + Photoshop + Nik Software + Topaz

Can you tell us something more about your work flow?
After taking photos, I may begin to process them after three months or so.
I don’t know why but it seems this is my process.
I am very careful with the outcome and pay attention to details. It matters!
It is important to use a calibrated monitor and check how the final image is looking on phone, laptop, desktop, different monitors etc. There are big differences regarding colours, contrast, luminosity.

“The other side”

What is your most important advice to a beginner in Photography and how do you get started?
Don’t just take photos. First see, observe, understand, and maybe then take a photo. Learn everyday. Learn photography, art, spend time in nature. Be patient. It’s a process that needs to be taken step by step.

Who are your favourite photographers and more importantly, how has your appreciation of their work affected how you approach your own photography?
I like the style of  Rodney Smith as a classic and I appreciate the consistency in the work of Zachar Rise, Milan Malovrh, Lisa Holloway  and, of course, there are so many other talented photographers that I follow and appreciate.

Are there any specific directions that you would like to take your photography in the future or any specific goals that you wish to achieve?
I will go wherever life takes me, I will continue to learn and love photography.
Soon I hope to have my own website and studio.

“Val d'Orcia”

Describe a photography taken by you and why it is special to you?

“Fields of Gold”

A simple photo but it shows that sometimes mood is all you need in a photograph.

Is there anything else you wish to add  and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?
1x.com is the reason why I became a better photographer and why I try to be better everyday. In a world full of photographs everywhere, curated photography is the only way to make the difference in the future. I wish there were more websites like 1x, it would really help to keep high the quality of the ART of photography.

“The Cabin”

“Solitude”

"Autumn"

“Shepherd”