Interview with Samuil Velichkov
#1 Please introduce yourself
My name is Samuil Velichkov. I am born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and I am an amateur photographer.
#2 How did you get interested in photography?
It all began in my childhood with my first Smena 8M camera, which was a gift from my father. I was very impressed by the magic which was happening into the dark room /the darkened kitchen in my case.
#3 Do you have an artistic/photographic background?
No. During my school time I deal with painting for a long time. I’ve always had specially affinity to the fine art.
#4 Which artist/photographer inspired your art?
It always has been difficult for me to determine a favourite photographer, they are constantly changing with time. I feel deep attraction to the East art: the traditional monochrome painting, the Japanese woodblock print, the calligraphy. I like a lot the impressionism, Turner’s watercolors, Hokusai’s woodblock prints. Every day at my news feed I see dozens photographs of really talented people and they all are my inspiration. I could mention a lot of names and Ebru Sidar is one of them.
#5 How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph?
In the past I rarely looked for a special subject. Usually subjects found me. Sometimes I was lucky and I hit the right place at the right time, but unfortunately rarely.Today most of my photographs have been carefully planned and I have been back several times to the same locations at different seasons and even in different years, to come across appropriate conditions for a good shot. I love the technique of long exposure and I use it very often in my photographs.
#6 Which places have been your favourite shooting sites so far and why?
This is the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. If you ask why, perhaps you will find the answer in my photographs.
#7 What do you do in your life besides photography?
The last eight years I am working in “Mares”, one of the world’s leaders producing diving equipment. And logically my new hobby is the scuba diving. The world of silence is incredible and enchanting and making underwater photography is a great fun.
#8 What future plans do you have? What projects would you like to accomplish?
I am born and live in Plovdiv. One of the oldest cities in Europe. Place which meets so many eras and cultures. Now I try to capture the atmosphere of the town with a series of cityscapes, which I am going to show in the future.
Website: samuilvelichkov.com
