We live in an image-obsessed world, and we must decide for ourselves if what we share is worth it, says Tadas Kazakevicius, a Lithuania-based documentary and portrait photographer. At the same time, it’s wonderful that we have all the tools at our fingertips to tell stories from the best angles. Tadas is always returning to the same root themes, that have a lot to do with being human. He believes images need accompanying words, but that a good photographer can convey feelings through his work.
Tadas is eager to visit Romania and is especially curious about its rural side. He will be showing his work at Bucharest Photofest (October 6-15, 2023). At its 8th edition, the festival will host over 50 events under the theme IDENTITY. Join artists from Greece, Germany, Iceland, Spain, the UK, the USA, Denmark, The Netherlands and more for a meaningful visual journey.
And keep reading to discover more about Tadas’ story and artistic vision.
Key Defining Moments
I came into photography very typically, but I fell in love with it when I got my first medium-format camera. Suddenly, I was drawn to tell stories of the people I met. I felt the need to tell it in images and text. Seems that it’s still I do the things now. Wider and deeper, still, it unlocked the doors.
The First Photographs
My first photographs with my first digital camera were very typical things you would come up with. Street photography as action images, and I very much love to play with the aperture, so very often, I would look for many patterns. Nature, I suppose, was the key to learning about its leaves, blossoms, and berries, it taught me about optics, plastics, and signature.
Lessons about People from Photography
It taught me that the camera is a powerful key to get to know people. Somehow, it lets you do things you might be much more scared of without it. The camera gives access to being interested in someone’s story.
Favourite Themes
It is always human and root emotions: love, closeness, sentiments, and memories. But I do currently work on many themes. Still, it’s very much based on humans, as it always interests me. I choose themes that make me passionate about telling stories: rural life, historical aspects, and the sentimentality of humans. I could talk about many in detail, but it all connects in the end.
Storytelling Techniques
I truly believe an image needs words next to it. I do not believe that a good picture is one that tells much, but if we are lucky and know what we are doing, it’s very often that we influence our material in such a way we transport the feeling to the viewer. It’s the magic of photography. Still, you need to be very sincere about the things you tell and show.
An Image-Obsessed World
I believe it is not healthy. It is very important that we are ourselves convinced that whatever we decide to share is worth it. We live in a world of too many visuals, and we are true masters of making them stand out.
The Role of Photography in 2023
I think photography is still the same - visual, story, feeling - 3 root things that matter the most. We live in a wonderful age of possibilities to present it very diversely. We should always look for the best angle and way to tell the story, and we have all the tools by our fingers. It’s a wonderful time!
Bucharest Photofest
I always wanted to see the Balkans and to feel its magic, so I am more than happy to be part of it and to reach your country. Especially the rural side, as I am always passionate about this theme locally and internationally.
One Photo to Showcase in the Centre of Bucharest
I would choose this photo because somehow it became very important for me - wherever it would go, it would give very similar feelings to any person in their own country.
I would use it to find out what your people feel when they see it. That interests me a lot.
