My last Artistic Nude’s community interviewed member comes from Prague and his name is Jiri Ruzek. Continue reading to know more:

I am a man always in progress. My work evolves according to my changing moods, feelings and my reception of the world and the people. I started in 1995, but since 2004 with more serious ambitions and started to sell in 2006 and since 2007 I am sometimes published and asked for a interview. I remember that some years ago I said artistic nude was boring. I don't think it so now, but I always need to feel some story in the image, at least a bit of emotions, even if there is no face on the photo.
In shortcut – after some years I partially returned to classic film, I like to use Holga for its magic. My photographs have been exhibited several times in Prague and also published in some Czech or foreign magazines, some of my photographs have been used as decorations. Currently I am working on my new website ( www.jiriruzek.net ) and also preparing some new photographs.

Do you remember art being a big part of your childhood?

Not at all, I was a normal kid from a small village, playing „cowboys & Indians“ games etc... I remember I liked drawing, when I was 12 or 13, I drew posters of famous singers, bands and actors – my favorite faces to draw were Freddie Mercury, John Travolta, the Sweet and many others

Were you supported by others to create?

My parents always supported me, but they did it in a very unobtrusive way, without any pressure. They bought me my first camera when I wanted to take photos, my first bass guitar when I wanted to play in the band and they also helped me very much in the times when I studied scenarios & song lyrics; writing; etc...

What medium did you use as a child?

Mostly it was paper and crayons; later also charcoal, chalks, water colours and I also tried to use canvas and oil. And, of course, the first cheap camera with b/w film!

What is Art to you?

A kind of communication. My own work is a way to express myself, doesn't matter if it is visual art, music or literature. My head is always full of images, sounds and words and you cannot stop people on the street and tell them what you feel right now: they'd think you are crazy
And I feel the same communication in works of others in an opposite way – I am the listener of their feelings and imaginations.

What are your aspirations regarding your art?

To create the work you will remember.

What is your favourite medium?

It can change during the lifetime, now I prefer photographs, music and the words.

If you could, you would?

„I'd rather be the sparrow than a snail ...“
According to the previous answer if I had more time, I'd like to realize my other plans, I don't want to tell more about them now.

How did you find dA?

I really don't remember that, it was five years ago, I just know I was creating some 3D models and also took photographs and dA was one of the first places where I started to publish my works.

Did you use other outlets for your art?

I've published my photos on some more portals, but presently I use only my own e-shop for selling.

Why dA?

dA has its own standard for all the years without big changes, I can take a break for some months and I know I will find the same dA when I come back.

What would you like to see here at dA?

I cannot say I miss something, maybe I'd like to see more artistic nude photographs in Artistic nude category instead of thousands members genitals self-portraits taken without any effort by their mobile phone cameras.

What is your favourite part of dA?

The gallery and interesting members profiles. I don't have time for anything else.

Do you tell offline friends about dA?

Yes, I think it is really good place to see and to be seen.

If you could tell the world about dA what would you say?

dA is the biggest one, isn't it? It's like the world on its own. You have a chance to find many great people and great works here, publish your own works here, but if something is so big like dA is (60millions+ deviations), you can't expect everything to be perfect, every deviation to be a „ piece of art“.

How do you choose your models? What is your criteria? Why would you turn someone down, for example? and Where do you find them?

The first important impulse is a model's charisma, more important than any perfect beauty. Of course, as a man I have my own unique taste, but I can't define it (my girlfriend says she can).
Also communication is very important for the result, I can take much better photographs with person I can talk with. I usually select models at modelling portals, I have also found some great models on the street. I turn down the model who is not interesting for me, who is not reliable or is too bumptious.

What inspired you to pursue this particular genre (Artistic Nude) in the first place?

Because it is the clearest form of showing woman – together with the portraits. The face and its expression can be so interesting and there is much more clarity in nude photography than in fashion etc...

What is the biggest challenge you've had to face as a nude photographer?

Some years ago I wanted to „create“ beautiful girls, now I want to take great photograph. Of course I want the model to be satisfied, but I admire the models who--like an actresses--don't prefer their own perfect look, if I need something else for the photo. These models are perfect for me.

What is your favorite lighting setup? Why? or, if you only do outdoors: how do you find the places?

I work both indoor and outdoor. Sometimes after some hours of atelier shooting I see the model's face in daylight and I am surprised, because she looks very different and often much better. I don't have any favorite lighting setup, I like experiments. For those contoured low-key nudes I mostly use two silver umbrellas very close behind the model body in combination with high aperture number.

Ever had any troubles with the law/other people, etc? how did you overcome them?

Not with the law, just with the people, mostly my neighbours, who though I am a photographer of porn or that the models are prostitutes...

What do you answer to intolerant people complaining about nude art being only pornography? What would you tell them to open their eyes?

Nothing, it is their right and not my business. Many people see just the nudity, not the photograph. Some of them can change their mind later, my mother is good example.

Regarding models, what kind of attitude do you expect from them? and what kind of behaviour you support?

Reliability and belief. I must trust the model and she must trust me, that I will do my best for the result. She knows my work before we work together. I don't like the models who try to tell me what and how to do.

What do you do to make a model feel comfortable being nude in front of the camera? Do you ever have music playing to get the mood right? Could you share some ways to relax when behind the camera or giving directions to a model?

My models are mostly used to model nude, but sometimes I work with someone who wants to „try it“. I always ask the model what is acceptable for her and what is not and never ask more than that. There is no one universal recipe for nude shooting, every photographer and every model is different. My general advice is „be kind, polite, but not obtrusive, smile, don't hurry, don't ask too much, don't push, the model must trust you“

Could you share your 10 best tips with the community?

Not ten, just three, but important...
Lenin said many years ago: „learn, learn and learn“
Jan Saudek said some weeks ago: „don't let anyone to say your work is bad“
I can say now: „free of taking photos primarily for voting on web portals. Publish your work on internet, it is a fantastic medium, thousands people worldwide can see it, but it is not necessary to publish 20 new photographs a week. If you manage to free of it, you will make big step ahead. Believe me, I did it too.“

How are you selling and distributing your work? Do you promote your work? How? And Where do you sell more? (Online vs Offline)

I sell photographs both online and offline. Internet is great, because you can address many more people in the same moment. In the opposite, the advantage of exhibitions is in the magic of printed photograph. I use internet for promoting – my own website and some portals.

In your opinion, what, in the end, compensates more, selling less but expensive or lots but cheap?

I prefer to sell lots of cheaper reproduction and less expensive fine art prints.

And regarding Models? What would be the proper deal with the model regarding get her permission for a photographer to be able to sell the photo? Give them a print? Money? Negatives?

I usually give them the CD with photographs, sometimes also the print. I also take some portrait and fashion photos for their portfolios very often.




^Helewidis - Thank you very much, Jiri!



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Previous Interviews

Interview with sincity07

Interview with Lion-Heart-Studio

Interview with Kaotika

Interview with bellabrooke

Interview with Northcumbria

Interview with Farriderphotos

Interview with Johntisbury

Interview with Zedul

Interview with ickylust

Interview with photoscot

Interview with gerhardt

Interview with piratephotography

Interview with photoswithattitude

Interview with UniqueNudes

Interview with Conundra

Interview with JennaBlack

Interview with wynnesome

Interview with mjranum

Interview with cable9tuba

Interview with Shy-Too-Shy

Interview with scottjamesprebble

Interview with loadsatequila

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