Today, our online magazine kindly agreed to be interviewed by a talented photographer from Ekaterinburg, Sophia Chernykh. Good afternoon, Sophie. It is very pleasant that you agreed to talk with us, share your experience a little and reveal the secret of achieving success in such a complex and multifaceted field of art as photography.

Sophie, could you tell us a little about yourself: where were born, grew up, which school did you graduate from?

Always puzzles about me, but I'll try. Although I was born and grew up in Yekaterinburg, I have not yet found my home town, so I've been traveling around the world for a year now. And I had time to study at a mathematical university, studying computer science, that's why I at home like a sysadmin, and at the Architectural Academy, specializing in sculpture and ceramics. The Academy has corrected my disorientation in the science of color and composition, and now I feel the frame rather than counting.

Many famous photographers hardly remember their first picture, since during the years of work the pictures are often lost or because of the presence of a huge portfolio they are simply forgotten, but many people remember their first camera. Do you remember?

The camera with me seemed to have been born - I have been shooting since childhood. Therefore, I do not remember my first shot, but it was definitely made on film. I started shooting on an old zenith, half of the film was always lighted, and it turned out only 5 frames. Then there was a "boom of cameras", and everyone in the family had a Polaroid and a digital soap box. On "Polaroid" I was allowed to shoot only on holidays - the film at that time was also not the cheapest for him. But on the soapbox, I did it with might and main, very upsetting the quality of the pictures. After the film, it was horrible, so I came up with prefabricated models - glued the helios lens from the zenith to the soap box and it turned out to be a pretty decent macro camera. I could boast of bokeh and it was digital pictures.

You have been working with photography for many years, what did you achieve? Were there any exhibitions in the cities of Russia and abroad, tell us about them, do you remember your first exhibition? Participated in any competitions? Were there awards?

I'm not trying to achieve something with my work. Photography for me is inspiration and happiness. Without a camera, I do not feel like a full-fledged person. The first exhibition was not at all in my city, it was about 5 years ago in St. Petersburg. Its organizer was my friend, she invited a music group, and it was like a creative evening.

Later I had exhibitions in Yekaterinburg. I also often take part in competitions, mostly foreign ones, but I would not want to go into the transfer of awards, because it's boring enough.

For creative people, inspiration is the most important thing in their work. Sophie, tell me, where do you get it, how do new ideas come for your beautiful pictures?

All this is intuitive and does not lend itself to the algorithm "where to find inspiration?". Very often the idea of ​​filming comes to me in the form of drawings in my head. Although I was educated at the Architectural Academy, I did not really learn how to draw, so it's easier to take pictures of me. And still very helps music - when I walk around the city in headphones, in the head a song is formed under the song.

You often give master classes in different cities of Russia, do not go home for a long time, you see the world even outside our country, what is it?

Inspiring. I'm dependent on new places, people, worlds and probably for a long time I can not without traveling and adventure.

Was there a fateful meeting in your life that changed something inside or gave impetus to new boundaries and achievements?

Of course. And there were several such meetings. I'm very glad that the roads with these people crossed me and gave life to something new and interesting.

Now do you have a team that you work with? Is it permanent or does it have its own in every city? If constant, then tell about her.

I work with Andrei Korzukhin, a very talented and ingenious prop, the designer and the stylist. All the latest photos are taken by our joint efforts. Andrew is responsible for visualizing the idea in a suit, entourage and the image of the characters. It is very important for the photographer to find a creative team - everything is very much like creating a film where makeup artists, actors, script writers are important. And more importantly, your team felt the same as you in relation to the worlds that you want to reflect in your works.

Are there any big and grandiose projects in the near future?

Yes, we have a lot of ideas, and one of the latter is quite serious. Recently, I do not have enough photography to realize my ideas, so I really want to make a short film, which will reflect all my work. The project "Shadows of the Worlds" will be launched in the autumn and we plan to shoot on the beautiful streets of Prague or Lviv. While there is work on the script and props of the film, we are also looking for sponsorship and actors on secondary roles.

In conclusion, I would like to ask you to say a few words to our readers. What advice could you give to people who have just begun to take photographs, as well as those who have been creating and giving joy to everyone around for years now?

I can advise a lot, but it's unlikely that a person by nature will be interested in following the path that has already been traversed. We are used to learning from our mistakes - it's interesting and partly true.

Beginning photographers are advised to look at the world through the lens, forgetting all the rules and textbooks. Try to realize what's in your head. This is much more complicated and exciting than repeating and doing what has already been invented.

Photogallery Total | 13 pictures