How did your interest for wildlife arise?
As a student, I was an active participant of ecological and wildlife-related projects and represented my school on republican and international forums held in Ukraine. I have always loved animals and birds, felt a deep connection with their world and wanted to understand their behavior more. My parents bought me many books about wildlife, encyclopedias and magazines. I watched the famous TV program “In the world of animals” (popular in the former USSR countries), went to the library to read scientific articles about wildlife, so I have always been close to Nature.
How do you describe your journey as a photographer and a person?
My journey as a photographer started in 2015 when I bought a camera to fix the moments during vacations. However, I decided to try to capture something specific and create a visual story. What attracts me in photography and life is suddenness. I need to explore new places and sometimes risk my health and safety to find something really special. Back in the day, industrial photography seemed a perfect genre for me to fulfill my creative ideas: abandoned factories, railways, warehouses…But later I understood that photographing still objects was not the limit. Wildlife photography satisfied my love for risk, readiness to stop that special moment, observe my “models” in their natural habitat and learn from them. It is a relief to the soul after a hectic city life. Wildlife photography teaches to live in harmony, respect every creature and be a guest, not an intruder.
What is your view on Nature Conservation? How can we, as wildlife photographers, help to protect our Mother Nature?
Wildlife photography is a perfect educational platform to spread the mission of a peaceful coexistence with all eatures. Through this art, we show the beauty that surrounds us, its fragility and challenges Nature faces to call for action and help. As a WWF Ukraine volunteer, I feel a necessity to tell what we do and involve more people into volunteering. The art of photography only helps to create a powerful visual side.
Can you give our readers the best bird or wildlife photography tips? Do you have any recommendation on settings or gear for bird photography?
I would recommend to start with self education. Read more, watch programs about the life of animals and birds. I often ask zoologists about the peculiarities of animal behavior to know the scientific background. And of course, spend more time in the field, observe the life in the wild with your eyes and heart open. Speaking about the gear for wildlife photography, use tele lens 300mm and ore. Build shelters in the forest from branches, moss, leaves and other natural materials and stay there for a while so animals won’t feel the danger and come closer to you. If you don’t have a tripod, everything can help to fix your camera: a big stone, log etc.
What plans do you have in the future related to Wildlife Photography?
Currently I am working on a big photo project about national parks in Ukraine – landscapes, endangered species and challenges we face in wildlife conservation. Hope that this project will result in a big photo exhibition.
Last year I presented my debut photo exhibition “Fragile beauty” – wildlife and sceneries of Ukraine, UAE, Tanzania, Kenya and Sultanate of Oman. In addition, I am planning to collaborate with international wildlife organizations and donate my photos for charitable events. I am always eager to participate in wildlife-related events in Ukraine and abroad.
Tell us something about the gears you use and how it helped in your photographic journey?
My philosophy is simple when it comes to photography itself: create with your heart and then comes the gear. When in the wild, I always know what species I may come across in a certain area, I try to see the images in my mind before capturing them with my camera, predict animal’s behavior and prepare my settings accordingly. For wildlife photography, I use Canon EOS 600D since 2015 and several lenses: Canon EF 75-300mm f/4- 5.6 IS USM and Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM. The last is a professional lens with a fast focus, which allows me to receive sharp pictures with deep colors and a smooth background.
