People take photographs, not cameras

A representative from The Day’s editorial office, acting on behalf of the publisher, the Ukrainian Press Group, awarded Simferopol press photographer Serhiy Svitlytsky the Editors’ Prize, a diploma and a television set, at the Simferopol press center, in the presence of Crimean journalists and Crimean special correspondents from the Kyiv, Moscow, and other media.

Serhiy, when I watch you working, I get the impression that you were born holding a camera.

Svitlytsky: The camera is an inherent part of me, my ideas and feelings.

How did you start out — with a Smena-6 model, like everyone in our generation?

Svitlytsky: Actually with a Smena-8m. Photography was my dad’s hobby and he got me interested. My serious work began after I met some very good Kyiv photographers who work with Agence France-Presse and Associated Press. They taught me how to take pictures; they spent a lot of time coaching me.

What do you consider serious work in photo journalism?

Svitlytsky: Serious work means a solid result. My photos have been used by AP and AFP. My first series of photographs was published in The New York Times; my pictures have appeared in the Washington Post, Independent, Los Angeles Times, and other worldwide publications. I include The Day in this number. So when this newspaper took an interest in my works, that was a serious result.

What does winning The Day’s photo contest mean to you?

Svitlytsky: An opportunity to communicate with colleagues, to see their level, and determine the current place of Ukrainian photo journalism.

This isn’t your first prize, is it?

Svitlytsky: No, but this is the first time that I have won a television set.

What do you think matters most in modern photography: technological progress leading to the digital revolution or creative problems, the search for subjects, nature, frame structure, special effects?

Svitlytsky: I don’t know about creative problems. You just have to know what to train your camera on. This is an indeterminate element of creativity, an element of success, if you will; after all, you can see something and you can not see it, and in that case you’ll never know that you’ve just missed a brilliant shot. There are no longer any technical problems in Ukrainian photography: we have lots of world-class photographic equipment. However, people take photographs, not cameras.

How do you assess the level of modern Ukrainian photo journalism?

Svitlytsky: The Day’s contest has very demanding requirements. Many professionals have competed. I’ve been following the level of their works closely and I must say that this level has been rising. Without exaggerating, I would say we have world-caliber professionals working in our country.

What about your plans?

Svitlytsky: I would say taking pictures is my maximum plan. Winning another contest — two would be even better — is the minimum one.