The Magic of Automotive Photography by Eclectic Studio
Eclectic Studio is an advertising photography studio, mostly orientated in lifestyle, architecture and automotive fields. The vision of Eclectic Studio, enhanced by Ivelin Ivanov and Ivailo Yovchev, is to combine creativity with technical skills in order to create different and memorable visual images.
For Ivelin, “Eclectic Studio” is an accumulated result of over 10 years of creative experience, technical improvement and pursuit of distinctive visual signature in photography.
We had the privilege to interview Ivelin Ivanov, one of the creatives behind Eclectic, the studio that creates fantastic automotive magic. Check below the interview and the rest of the vibrant pictures.
What’s your creative process like? It’s really difficult for me to explain briefly my creative process. There is no such things like algorithm or sequence. In general, the ability to see the final photograph, before even touch the camera form my basic approach to the photography. It’s some sort of “overlapping” the projection of the future image over the reality in front of my camera.
Where do you find inspiration and why you like photography? Inspiration can be found anywhere. It’s strictly subjective question. Sometimes small daily things, can generate huge inspiration. For me, music can be powerful source. Meeting other colleagues and exchanging advices and ideas. Discussing creative challenges. Traveling to different places and destinations also leaves imprints over my inspirational process.
What is the equipment you use? On today’s market the logo on the equipment really does not matter. The brand domination decades are gone. Most of the cameras/lenses in this segment (35 mm) produce similar results before files reaches the computer.
For me, using particular brand is more question of habit, than pros and cons of certain product. The ergonomics of my equipment allow me not to think about technical aspect of the photograph. With years, I found this as the most important feature of my gear.
How important is the post-production process? Eclectic Studio is market oriented project. Unfortunately the market requirements are very severe. There are some established demands. If you wish to “participate the game” and stay on the field, you definitely need to follow those “game rules”. Today, every single photograph that reach the market, and been exposed to the audience is manipulated in some level.
Post-production is not the Holy Grail in the photography. Without decent raw materials captured in the photographic process, even the most skilled post-operator will be infirm.
Even in the studio environment you can’t control all aspects of the process. Post-processing allows you to turn back the clock, and fine tune all the necessary elements.
I believe that post-production process implement into the final photograph a genuine flavor, an author signature, that photographic equipment can’t do. For me, post–production is not about drastically changing the reality. It’s about make it more suitable and organized. It’s like adding my own genes into the picture DNA.
What are some tips you could give to people that really like your work? You definitely need to learn the basics in photography in the first place. You can’t walk further, without first learning the steps. Try to understand “why?”, “when?”, “how?”… Then try to combine the raw knowledge with practice.
PRACTICE is perhaps the MOST important part of the entire process. There is no perfect equipment. Be familiar with advantages and disadvantages of the brand you use. Learn your equipment. Browsing photography work is also way to build sense for basics, composition, lighting …
Don’t hesitate to get in contact with the photographer which job you admire. Ask him/her specific questions regarding their work… and PRACTICE again.
Can you name great photographer that inspires you and why? I can’t name them all, but photographers like: Christian Schmidt, Holger Wild, Manu Agah , Martijn Oort, Mats Cordt, Simon Puschmann has been always in my favorite list. The way they using the light, chosen composition and overall look of their work mainly attract and capture my attention.
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Mr. Ivelin, thanks for accepting the challenge to feature Eclectic Studio on Photography Office. We are very glad that we are able to share such a beautiful visual automotive images, and discover the tips and tricks that stay beyond creating them. Good luck with the studio and projects; please let us know when you launch your new series of lifestyle pictures.