I want my audience to ask questions. August 13, 2010
Posted by deyoyok in day dreaming.add a comment
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/turning/
Aga Luczakowska is a 29-year-old freelance documentary photographer in Bucharest, Romania. She was born in Poland. In 2008, she studied withStanley Greene at the Toscana Photographic Workshop in Italy. Her conversation with Amanda Rivkin has been edited and condensed for space.
Q.
How was this picture taken?
A.
The picture was taken in 2008. I was working on my story “Female Islambul,” the name of which is derived from the words Islam and Istanbul — trying to find where a woman’s place is in culture and religion in Istanbul.
It was a warm day. I had been walking all day without finding anything interesting. I was about to give up. I was tired from the heat and tired from the crowd.
Then, suddenly, I heard music. Somebody was playing the violin. I followed the music and through the window I saw the girl playing and the reflection of the Bosporus.
It was a magic moment. What I saw was very symbolic for my story.
Q.
How has this image changed the way you work?
A.
First of all, I started to let myself be more free; to be patient while photographing. I realized that it is important to get lost in the places you photograph, to follow things that you see or like — in this case what I heard. To be driven by music.
Since taking this image, I am looking for more than just pleasing compositions. I have begun taking photographs that are more symbolic. I am looking for multiple meanings in my pictures.
Inspiration: Stanley Greene
Image: “Sketch in the Sand, Sudan”
Q.
When did you first come upon this image? How?
A.
After looking at a gallery of World Press Photo winners. I remember that the photograph was quite controversial among my photographer-friends. Many thought it was just a picture of sand, and were surprised that such a picture could win.
In the photo you can see a sketch in the sand illustrating a 2003 assault on Furawiya village in Darfur, in western Sudan.
Q.
What do you like about this image?
A.
The photo inspires me because Greene captured the detail. He is showing a crime scene without blood. In looking at the photo, I have more questions than answers. The children’s book illustrator Dick Bruna said, “If you put very few things on a page, you leave lots of room for imagination.” This photo does this.
Q.
How has it influenced your work?
A.
Since first viewing the image, I pay more attention to details. I photograph everything that surprises me. I don’t want my photographs to answer all the questions anymore. I want my audience to ask questions.
Flying Cow 