Fairytale World of Photography by Krystina Gladka

Krystina Gladka is a photographer from Ukraine, Kyiv. She takes astonishing pictures that look like a fairytale world. It was a pleasure for us to take an interview with Krystina Gladka who shared some interesting facts of her biography. We wish you a pleasant reading of Krystina Gladka success story and viewing of her fairytale world of photography.

AP: Tell us few words about yourself.

CG: My credo is never to give up! At least until you see that there is some sense in it.I went to several schools (high school, art school and music school).

Then I entered the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” and graduated in June 2011 with Bachelor of Law. In September, I continued my studies at the Master’s Program of Journalism at the same university.

Now I’m 21 and I am full of desire to learn, develop, implement ideas, learn new things and take pictures! My first experience with photo happened thanks to the lucky moment, for which I am very grateful and I hope over the years our friendship will be only strengthened.

AP: Your first works. What did they look like?

CG: It’s a difficult question .. I have no idea how it all started! Well, anyway, I am not a philosopher. Perhaps, there had been so circumstances and over the time I started implementing my ideas. I have been fascinated and obsessed by it till now:) Creativity is my single-moral lifestyle. It accompanies me everywhere and always, but every time in different forms. Therefore, we can say that it all started with my birthday, spring, as you know, inspires.

AP: Do you have any formal education in your sphere or were you self-taught?

CG: I mix education together. Yet the first steps I made ”myself”: I read the relevant literature, looked for helpful articles on the Internet, but the main thing is that I always experiment with photography. When it came to studio shooting, I decided to enroll into “Fotomaster” school-studio. Classes at the school changed me. It is worth to admit the impact from the school teachers, including Valery Krey. His inexhaustible vital energy of words has always motivated me! Now I continue to learn, look for a way of expression through photos and constantly dream!

AP: What genre are your works?

CG: I love to experiment! Of course, there are some basic approaches, which I follow in carrying out orders, but always try to leave room for imagination, not to turn hobbies into routine. I like the works in which you can find an idea; it is something that can capture me in the works of others. The idea is above all!

AP: How would you describe your works?

CG: My photos are full of libertarianism spirit and idea. At least that is something that I really want to endow in them. Color, emotion, symmetry and asymmetry are properties that I want to convey through my photos. They are unique because they have a part of myself. But are they unique for someone else too, that is the question?

AP: What kind of equipment and techniques do you use to create them?

CG: It so happened that I am an apologist of Nikon cameras. Just got used to its ergonomics and distinctive sound that gives shutter of these cameras. I use Nikon D90, I have several lenses, flashes, umbrellas, reflectors, stands and tripods for it. To implement any creative project I usually my brains and motivation; technical direction can be always corrected if you desire.

AP: Would you consider yourself as an expert in this sphere?

CG: A professional is a person who knows exactly what result he will receive by doing a series of actions. I am trying to avoid the term. Despite the fact that that I am very responsible to the tasks set before me, I always have a desire to experiment, to decorate the routine, because as I said before, I’m rather good level professional experimentalist.

AP: What is your success formula?

CG: Your success is almost always equivalent to the ratio of your performance. Therefore my success, as anyone else, depends on my activity. In April 2011, I presented a series of “sleepwalker” in the visual art exhibition “Love is!” in the “Art Space 365” gallery (Ukraine). Also in the spring of 2011, at competition of professional and civic initiative “Discover Ukraine”, I took the 1st place for the video “Made in Ukraine”; It was about Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Overall, competitions are a challenge, so if possible I try to take part in them.

AP: Is there someone who helps you in your creativity?

CG: People gives me great help when they do not interfere with me:) My elder brother always supports my ideas and helps me to implement them into the reality and I’m really thankful to him!