Need and desire by Radoslaw Pujan
"For you all - be creative and show the beauty of the world with your photographs."
Tell us about yourself.
I am 37 years old. I was born and raised in Poland, also lived in France, now I live and work in Belgium. However I go to different countries to realize my photo projects.
I work in the IT business, so photography is a perfect way to balance it and meet people. I am a sociable person, so sitting in the office would only kill me.
When and how did the film journey begin for you?
In the past I used a digital camera. Then one of my friends showed me how to work with film, process, and how different the process of taking photos is. It was when I was living in Krakow, back in 2005.
What Could we always find in your gear bag?
A small digital camera that I use for measuring the light. I was using a lightmeter but it has failed me a few times. So I started using fuji for light measure and backstage sometimes.
Usually 2 boxes of films. In the past Ilford HP+. Now Kodak Trix and Portra.
However most important are the cameras... then depending on the photos I want to take, or conditions I have, I take the hasselblad 203 + 110/2 lens (for square format), Pentax 6x7 + 105mm/2.4 and 75mm/2.8 lenses. Or one of the two large format cameras: 4x5 Graflex + Aero Ektar or Mentor 5x7 that I use with xRay films. For large format I also take film holders and loupe.
Sometimes I take a small card where I write ideas.
What camera makes you click?
It must have a bright clear viewfinder. Best if it is s waist level finder for medium format. That helps a lot in the composition of a scene. Also those cameras cannot take too many photos which would cause thinking, creativity and perfection to go away.
Who are your models? How do you interact with them before shooting?
In the past I was searching for models, or among my friends, or on model portals, or social services. Now it is different as for some time models are writing to me willing to pose. That helps me a lot as I can choose a person/s that fit one of my projects. In the past I was working differently. I was thinking about what options I have (person, place, gadgets) and I was creating a story around those elements. Now I can work differently as I can first create a story and then select people I need from those I already know, or would like to work with me.
What inspires you most?
World itself, people walking on the street, situations, contrasts, relationships between man and woman, our needs and desires.
Do you have any advice for film photographers out there?
For you adepts - Try to find a master that knows things better than you about the world of film. I spent lot of time figuring things out by myself. Of course this self learning process was interesting as well. However if I had a choice... I would have prefered to know an expert who would have helped me to avoid many mistakes.
For you all - be creative and show the beauty of the world with your photographs.
Do you think you will still be shooting film in 20 years?
Naturally. If only film will be still produced... I will use it. No matter what good technologies time will bring, there is something magical when working with "old" techniques, that I cannot describe, but I want to do.
You can find Radoslaw Pujan here:
radoslawpujan.com
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