Elena has been part of the Photoworld club since its beginning Her intransigence towards social problems and the desire to change them push her quite naturally to documentary photography. In 2022, her photo story “The Soul of the Fisherman” won her second place in the “Photo Series” category of the “BG Press Photo” contest.
And who is Elena?
What do you think is the meaning of life?
The constant search. To seek and learn new things. Trying to make it better and fighting for the things we believe in.
Who is Elena without a camera in her hands?
Quite an ordinary person, with his fears and joys.
What is photography to you? What does it give you? And does it take anything and what?
A means of expression. My way of responding to the things in the world that excite me, that do not give me peace. What gives me a … voice. What does it take from me…maybe emotion and energy. The field I started working in requires a lot of both.
What makes you different from others?
Each person is unique, despite our vast sameness. There is nothing specific. The world is full of nearly 8 billion unique “voices”. I am one of them.
Recommend us a book/movie?
The Autobiography of Charles Chaplin. It is inspiring to try to enter the mind of a genius of this rank.
What are you dreaming about, Elly?
For peace of mind. And time to fulfill all my endless plans.
What would you change in the world?
The world is beautiful because of all its palette. I don’t know him well enough to want to change anything about him. I would rather change my attitude towards the world, at least in some aspects.
Is there a photography project you want to do?
I want to carry out a project that manages to leave a positive impression on the people who participated in it and does not leave viewers indifferent to their stories. If it helps to expand one’s worldview and helps to better understand the world around us, that would be more than I could ever dream of.
Do you need inspiration to shoot?
It takes heart. Inspiration is a fleeting thing. It takes heart and dedication. This is always visible in the work.
What’s hiding in the dark?
Our own demons, perhaps.
Who is the photographer you admire the most? Why? What is your favorite photo of him and why?
I can’t say there is one author I admire the most. This changes every time I learn a new name whose work touches me. It also changes in the process of my own growth. Maybe, right now, if I had to pick one picture, it would be James Nachtwey’s. Shot from Chechnya, taken in 1996.
In one frame, it combines an unambiguous context, opens many questions and provokes a strong emotion in the viewer.
It reminds me that the rules we are taught are just a foundation, and the means of expression in a photo can be so many and we shouldn’t be afraid to use them.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Follow your heart. I’m still learning to do it.
Ask yourself a question and answer…
Why? Because I want.
You can see more about Elena here:
Facebook: Elena Angelova
