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Pawel Fabjanski
age: 26
country: Poland
website: www.fabjanski.com
exposed: July 2006
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mugshot Pawel Fabjanski
Please introduce yourself and tell us something about yourself and your background.
I am a freelance photographer represented by two ad photographers agencies: PhotoBy Agency (www.photoby.pl) and Take Production (www.takeproduction.com). I graduated from Technical University of Lodz (master degree) and from Polish National Film School. I had two ways in my life - to become an engineer or an artist. Guess what I have choosen??

What’s the central theme of your work?
People. This sounds probably too general, but this is also absolutely true. I think that photograph without people is not complete. I always look up for human element.

What makes a good picture in your eyes?
In my photography the strong idea is very important. For me a good picture is the one which can attract your attention because you see something you didnt expect to see. You should be a bit suprised by what you watch. If there is no specific concept inside the photo there should be a strong atmosphere instead. My photos are rather not very moody, but when I watch other photographers' work the mood is something what I am looking for.

Where do you concider a photograph to be created? When it’s shot or when it’s processed?
Of course when it is processed. I never wanted to "catch the moment". I always wanted to "create the moment". When I prepare a photo the first thing I do is to find an idea, than I try to create an aesthetic code and to sketch my photo on paper. After doing a shot I try to delete all defects of reality on computer - and than the photo is ready.

What ability are you currently missing in your equipment, camera or the software you work with?
Almost nothing. The lighting equipement could be a bit smaller. I like to work on location and it is sometimes very frustrating when you have to transport the whole truck of lights, stands and all that stuff... It would be also nice to be able to work on 100MP equipement, but it doesn't exist yet...

In what way do you use the Internet? What role does the computer play in your work?
I am an owner of my web portfolio (www.fabjanski.com) and this page is kind of advertisement of my abilities, but I very rarely get assignment because someone have seen my photos there. The most important part of net in my professional work is email. Anyway I never try to find new assignments through email I use it only to contact people who have seen me before.
The computer is getting more and more important in my work. All my photos are digitaly enhanced and day after day I increase amount of Photoshop in my pictures.

What means or ways do you use to show your work to the (outside) world?
In professional cases the only way to show my photos is to visit people and to show them my book/portfolio. The second way, but not very important in my professional career is to show my photos on my web site. I also print a lot of photos in magazines - this is the place where I obtain probably the bigges audience. The last way to show my pictures to the people is organizing exhibitions.

Pixel or Grain?
What's the difference? The only thing that counts it the finall image. I started from grain and I even developed colour prints by myself, but today I am using almost only digital images. For me the whole discussion around digital and analog is similar to the discusion about pencil or brush - those are different techniques but still you can express yourself by using each of them.

Concept or Moment?
Concept! And nothing left for the chance.

The thin line between art & design is sometimes hard to define. Do you consider you work to be art or design? Why?
My work is art beeing used as a part of design. The line is very thin and I am not sure on which side I am right now. The only thing I know is that I never had a dream to be "a gallery artist", I always wanted to be shown in magazines... this is my medium and this medium was always contaminated by "design", but I hope I am putting some fresh artistic attitude inside it. You have to judge it.

If you had an unlimited budget and all the time you needed. What would you do?
Photo after photo, and another photo. I dont do photography because I have to earn for a living, I dont do it because I want to achieve something, I do it because I love it. If I had an unlimited budget and time - its obvious what I would do, but I would do that even if I had no money and no time...

What inspires you?
Mostly the work of other photographers. But my ideas come to me in different situations. It can be after watching a movie, after reading a book and sometimes just after seeing something on the street. The life is my inspiration.

How do to you keep your knowledge up to date? Do you spread your knowledge at universities, conferences or workshops and so on?
I try to read a lot. Mosty photographic magazines but also all important things in the web. I never attended any workshop but only because I have never found one which attracted my attention. One of the most important sources of my knowledge are other photographers - when we talk we exhange ideas and experiences.

Who is your favorite artist/photographer? Why?
It is hard to point only one. I can tell you about the one which attracts me now. Its maybe strange but I think that the whole Polish young wave of photographers is extremely interesting. The one I am looking at now is Zula Krajewska - I like her artistic works but also almost all comercial pictures.
If you want more general answer - I think that the most important artists are those who changed something in everyday aesthetics. Did you ever think about the shape of your chair if people like Kandinsky of Picasso didnt exist?

Final words?
Michel Houellebecq is absolutely right in all what he writes... ?>