Jan Waanders
I want to make the world a better place. And I want to give beauty to the world. The first I do through my daily work, the second through my photography.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, I seized the chance to finally pursue my long-held dream of studying photography. Over the past decade, I have amassed hundreds of photo books, and during this global crisis, I made the decision to enrol in classes at the renowned Kyiv School of Photography.
My journey began with assignments and lessons, but quickly expanded as I ventured out onto the streets, capturing moments that resonated with me. Gradually, I began to discern the type of photos that truly spoke to my soul.
I've recently decided to take my photography more seriously and share my work with the world, rather than keeping it confined to my computer. I've had a closer look at my vast archive of thousands of photos and realized that I'm drawn to capturing images that resemble digital paintings, full of vibrant colours. In these images, I'm often trying to recreate the feeling of my youth, which I remember as a time of peace, sunshine, brightness, and vivid colours.
This artistic pursuit serves as both a nostalgic recollection and a counterbalance to the increasing darkness and ugliness I see in the world today. With the rise of autocrats, criminals, and racists in powerful positions, along with the rapid pace of climate change, many people have become more pessimistic, confrontational, and aggressive. The idyllic world I remember from my youth feels more and more distant, just a memory of a brighter past. This makes me even more determined to continue creating and sharing my photos, serving as a reminder of the beauty that still exists amidst the chaos and darkness.
This artistic pursuit serves as both a nostalgic recollection and a counterbalance to the increasing darkness and ugliness I see in the world today. With the rise of autocrats, criminals, and racists in powerful positions, along with the rapid pace of climate change, many people have become more pessimistic, confrontational, and aggressive. The idyllic world I remember from my youth feels more and more distant, just a memory of a brighter past. This makes me even more determined to continue creating and sharing my photos, serving as a reminder of the beauty that still exists amidst the chaos and darkness.
I often go out without a clear plan, taking photos of scenes that catch my eye. There's a certain unconscious feeling that guides me, whether it's an interesting composition, a specific color palette, or a captivating detail. Sometimes, the initial result isn't as beautiful as I envision, and the photo seems to be screaming for enhancement.
In these instances, I employ simple post-processing techniques, adjusting hue, brightness, and contrast to reveal the beauty I saw in the scene. Personally, I'm drawn to photos that blur the lines between photography and painting, often experimenting with watercolor, vintage, or intentional camera movement effects. This preference also leans toward color photography, which I find adds an extra layer of depth and dimension.
In these instances, I employ simple post-processing techniques, adjusting hue, brightness, and contrast to reveal the beauty I saw in the scene. Personally, I'm drawn to photos that blur the lines between photography and painting, often experimenting with watercolor, vintage, or intentional camera movement effects. This preference also leans toward color photography, which I find adds an extra layer of depth and dimension.
.svg)
.svg)