Talent Show: Kristina Podobed

Most often I photograph my friends or other women I know. It is easier with them: I can yell at them or tell them what to do. I do not coerce them into taking nude photographs: if it’s a yes — it’s a yes, if it’s a no — I’ll ask again in half a year. Some models asked me to delete their photographs after they were published. I hate it when this happens.

I took my first photos when I was still at school, but I’ve started taking photography seriously only during my first year at university. I’ve been doing it for five years now.

For obvious reasons, I know the naked female body better, so I feel more comfortable photographing women. I don’t think people would perceive naked men differently, also this gender issue can be so unpredictable.

Eroticism is the little man as he is, covered in sweat and spunk.

Nobody likes the photographs where I am swallowing baby kittens. But this is because they don’t know better. True cat lovers know it is 100% safe!

Speaking of censorship, a photographer can have different restrictions and borders, but the photography itself should not have any. Photography has no limits.

I see that modern photography is counter-provocative. The photographs are sometimes so smooth that the audience starts having panic attacks.

Stupid haters are the curse of the Internet. But art is created not for likes or positive feedback, at least with photographic art it’s like this. I forgive everyone.

Currently, photography is my main source of income, but I don’t know what to think about it yet. I mostly do personal photo shoots. I am not yet ready to work at weddings or funerals, but everything happens at its own time.

For my shoots, I like to think ahead, but things don’t always go as planned. And I like it.

I always have and I will continue working with film, but I think I’ll start taking digital photos at some point, too.

I have noticed long ago that I use images rather than words to communicate with the world.

I like photojournalism. I don’t even choose what to shoot, the object finds me. I am inspired by everything: from a tree to a bottle of Arsenal Mitsne beer.

All themes are good.