From a simple hobby into a profound passion

Hello, my name is Oleg. I am a Ukrainian war refugee currently living in Portugal. Photography is my sole hobby at the moment, and Portugal has proven to be the perfect country for it — the architecture, nature, and lifestyle are simply stunning. My job in IT is quite mundane, so photography has become a way to keep myself «alive» in my free time.

Transition from Music to Photography
Since I was 16, I have been involved in music, playing classical Spanish guitar, double bass, and drums. However, these hobbies require a lot of physical practice, and over time, it became difficult to balance them with adult life and responsibilities. Transitioning from music to photography was quite challenging as they are entirely different pursuits.

A chance beginning
In early 2017, I accidentally bought seven disposable Kodak film cameras at a ridiculously low price — just $4 each. I thought they would make great birthday gifts for friends. Fortunately, I tried one myself, and it changed my life forever.

Before this, photography, especially digital, did not captivate me at all. I saw how modern photographers took dozens of shots of the same scene, selected the best one, and heavily edited it in Photoshop. It all seemed too artificial and unappealing to me.

Sources of Inspiration
I had always been fascinated by black-and-white films like “Casablanca”, “Citizen Kane” and “Schindler’s List”. I called it “magic” without understanding what exactly enchanted me. Over time, I realized that this charm was due to the low sensitivity of the film and the strong artificial lighting used in those days.

Among classic photographers, Josef Koudelka is my favorite. His photobook left a significant impression on me and greatly influenced my photography style.