Karl Smutko


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Karl Smutko
City: Uzhgorod
Country: Ukraine
Joined: Oct 2008

There are different illnesses in the world. But one of them benefits the diseased. It is called the Passion for photography. I was taken ill by it far back in 1968, when my parents after lengthy pressure from my side gave me as a present my first marvelous camera “Shkolnik”. I felt myself on the top of the world. It was immensely pleasant to enter the fabulous, illuminated by the mysterious red light of the photoflood, world of the developers, fixing agents and other mysterious photographic accessories. The further transit to a narrow gauge due to the purchase of the successive soviet photographic industry masterpiece – camera “Smena 6” – became a new incentive to continue with photography. Multiple experiments with different films, photo papers and solution compositions, restless nights spent in the bathroom, furnished insights into the physical and chemical processes first of black-and-white, and later of the color photography. Until today in the store room are kept diligently wrapped enlarger, photo cameras “Lyubitel”, “Zenit E”, “Zenit-automat”, light filters for color photography and timing relay. It would seem these are absolutely needless in the age of the digital photography, but to put these out to trash seems to be an impermissible blasphemy. I suppose those who have been fond of photography for a long time will understand me. My favorite scene is our charming Zakarpattya, with all its brooks, mountain pastures, gold of the autumn, lakes and forests. To be honest, I even cannot answer the question what attracts me to the mountains – love of the nature or desire to take the photographs. Lately, much to my regret, in lieu of the desire to share the pleasant impressions of the home land, with increasing frequency I catch myself at a thought not to do it. The reason is very simple – the unlimited financial possibilities of some people allow them to buy whatever the soul might want. The idea that once, when I come to Lake of Synevyr, I’ll come across the ownership plates “No trespassing” frightens me. The wedding photography is also very attractive and interesting. I have never understood the scornful attitude of some photographers to this type of activity. It’s indeed not a simple trivial activity. Look at the works of good wedding photographers – sometimes their photographs, taken during the “field work” are far better both in quality and originality than those taken during studio shooting. It’s a real school of photography, in which both the mastery of photography technique, sagacity and advanced psychology knowledge are required. Probably, in the work of the wedding photographer the most important thing is not the financial remuneration, but a kiss of admiration from the ex-bride after she sees the photographs.
Sincerely, Karl Smutko