Questions for Eva Wiedemann – Photo Contest “Opposites”

When did you become interested in photography?

I have always been fascinated by photography, but a few years ago I really got into it.My interest was sparked by a strategy game called Gurushots, in which the timing and quality of photos determine success. Participating in this game with different teams and exchanging ideas with friends on that basis helped me receive valuable tips. This app also facilitates international exhibitions, where my photos were already presented several times.

I am now also actively involved in a photography club here in Vienna and take part in national and regional championships, both of which also are an opportunity for me to present my work at exhibitions.

Is photography your hobby or your profession?

I earn my living through my work in a cancer research laboratory, which plays an important role in my life. Photography serves as a valuable counterbalance. It allows me to gain distance, calm down and organize my thoughts.

In my eyes, photography should be free of stress in order to leave room for creativity. It’s important to me that I don’t feel any pressure when taking photos, as this can affect the quality of my work.

Photography gives me an opportunity for self-reflection and offers personal freedom. It allows me to look at the world around me in a unique way and capture special moments without being subject to the constraints of everyday life. It is therefore not just a hobby, but a valuable part of my work-life balance and personal development.

How and where was the image that you submitted taken? Is there a story about it?

The photo was taken in February last year, during a vacation in Trieste with my husband. In contrast to the weather in Austria, it was wonderfully warm, which gave us the opportunity to take long walks along the seaside. In the afternoon, when the sun was already setting, we spotted a stand-up paddler enjoying the mild weather. The unique lighting conditions and the striking contrast to the huge container ship caught my attention, which is why I captured this scene. It fills me with joy that I was able to capture the special mood of this moment in a photo and even more so, that it convinced the jury. Many thanks again for this great prize.

Who and/or what inspires you most?

I don’t have any particular role models, but I follow a lot of well-known photographers on Instagram and feel inspired by their pictures. There are so many photos, but only some of them really turned into pictures, works of art. I try to understand and copy their techniques, at least in general terms. Otherwise, of course, nature provides the best inspiration.

What’s your photographic focus?

This year my photographic focus was mainly on landscape and architectural photography, but I am interested in a wide range of subjects.

What’s your next photo project, your next challenge?

A big challenge for the near future is portrait photography and working in a studio. There are many different components to consider here. In addition, it is difficult to produce photos that please both me and the models equally. Everyone has a different perception of themselves, and even with technically perfect pictures, the person being photographed may feel uncomfortable.

Do you include color management in your photographic workflow?

Color management and the post-processing of photos take up more than half the time it takes to create a good picture. By changing the depth, saturation, tint, etc., you can completely change the mood of a photo. It is therefore crucial that the mood desired is also reproduced with the same quality and color in every type of file format.

What do you do with your photos? Do you print them, post them on your social media accounts or your website or do they simply stay on your hard drive?

Most of my images are stored on hard drives, but occasionally I post on Instagram or Facebook. I also print out pictures to present at exhibitions or to give as gifts to friends. I have the desire to sell pictures as well, but I haven’t started this venture yet.

What’s your photographic goal? What do you dream of?

I want to continue to impress people with my photos and show them my view of things with the help of my photos. In the longer term, I plan on publishing a book with photographer friends and on hosting some exhibitions in Vienna and, if the opportunity arises, also throughout Europe.

About the author – Eva Wiederman

Eva Wiederman is 57 years old, married and has 2 children. She states, “ I was born and raised in Augsburg, and discovered my love for nature and biological relationships at an early age. I moved to Vienna many years ago for professional reasons and have been working in cancer research ever since. To balance out my stressful everyday working life, I recharge my batteries through photography or gardening, and I also enjoy traveling.”