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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

People take photographs, not cameras

<I>The Day</I>’s prize for the photo “Peace Shield ‘05 Ukrainian-US Military Exercise, OPUK Testing Ground” by Serhiy Svitlytsky arrives in the Crimea
8 November, 2005 - 00:00
“PEACE SHIELD ‘05” / SERHIY SVITLYTSKY Photo by Serhiy SVITLYTSKY

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.

By Mykyta KASIANENKO, Simferopol
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