Hello,
My name is Petar Todorinski, and I am an artist. My medium of choice is the still image—not just any image, but the photograph. So, why not call myself a photographer?
I considered myself a professional photographer for more than 15 years. I worked in the fields of fashion and advertising, but I was merely an image-maker, and the end result was a collaborative effort with designers, stylists, digital artists, and hair and makeup artists. I was just a cog in a greater machine.
After a certain age, people start to think about their legacy, and I came to the realization that in order to leave something meaningful behind, I needed to evolve into something more than just a photographer.
Now I consider myself an artist, working on long-term photographic projects, documentaries, portrait, and lifestyle series. I aim to photograph, not just shoot pictures. Photography is an intentional act, just like writing a book or composing music. Each image is thoughtfully crafted to tell a story and evoke emotion, ensuring that it resonates and endures over time.
I approach every photograph with the intention of creating a lasting impression, envisioning the final result as a printed image. In today's fast-paced digital world, where fleeting content dominates social media platforms, I strive to craft the opposite: images that stand the test of time.
Social media encourages a culture of immediacy, where photographs are often consumed in a matter of seconds, quickly forgotten amidst the constant stream of new content. This transience can diminish the value of an image, reducing it to a mere momentary distraction. However, I believe that photography has the potential to capture and preserve the essence of a moment, telling a story that resonates deeply and endures far beyond the instant it was taken.
By focusing on creating images intended for print, I emphasize the importance of permanence and tangibility. A printed photograph can be held, displayed, and cherished. It invites contemplation, allowing viewers to connect with the subject on a more intimate level. The process of printing also encourages careful consideration of composition, lighting, and detail, ensuring that each image is meticulously crafted to convey its intended message.
For a long period of time, I preferred to photograph in black and white. When we strip an image of its colors, we somehow remove the distractions and concentrate on the important elements: emotion, light, and essence. Black and white photography has a way of highlighting these core aspects, making them more prominent. It looks more real, even if it is an abstraction, because we naturally see the world in color. This starkness can reveal deeper truths and subtleties that might be overshadowed by the vibrancy of color.
However, as my artistic journey has evolved, I have grown to appreciate the complexity and richness that color brings to photography. Lately, I prefer to work in color because, like in music, every great melody becomes richer when we add fine ornamentations and notes in between. Color adds layers of meaning and emotion, enhancing the narrative and providing context that black and white might omit.
Each hue and shade can evoke different feelings and associations, contributing to the overall mood and storytelling of the image. Just as a musical composition becomes more intricate and expressive with the addition of harmonies and variations, a photograph gains depth and vibrancy with the inclusion of color.
Working in color allows me to explore new dimensions and subtleties in my work. The transition from black and white to color has broadened my creative palette, enabling me to convey stories and emotions with greater nuance and resonance.
In this way, my approach to photography continues to evolve, blending the timeless appeal of black and white with the dynamic expressiveness of color. Each project, whether monochrome or vibrant, is crafted with the same intentionality and thoughtfulness, ensuring that my images resonate deeply and endure over time.
All the best!
Petar Todorinski