Inspiration Feeder: George Digalakis

Our “Inspiration Feeder” presents to you short interviews with interesting visual artists from around the globe. Today in focus: George Digalakis.

How old are you?

Born in 1960.

Where do you come from?

I was born in Athens, Greece.

How long have you been doing photography?

Back in 1974 I was given a Nettar camera by my father as a gift. Since then I always remember myself walking around with a camera. No darkroom experience though. I studied seriously photography only in 2008, when I followed an online course and since then I spend most of my free time photographing and editing images.

How would you define your style?

Minimalism is for me a philosophy of life, so photography could not be an exception. I try to get rid of all the unnecessary elements of a scene either during shooting or in editing. I’m also influenced by the aesthetics of Japanese art, especially ink painting; the careful use of empty space is fundamental in my work.

How long do you think it took you to find your personal style of shooting?

I started with color photography as everyone else. Then, around 2012 – that means 3-4 years after my studies, I discovered long exposure photography. It was a matter of time to convert to Bnw and minimal photography. I would say it took me 5-6 years to develop my style and vision.

What would you say is the thing that most inspires you? / What is your main source of inspiration?

I love everything that relates to the water and I find inspiration in small insignificant subjects, like trees, rocks, poles etc. Since my photography is characterized by a strong melancholic mood (and a feeling of isolation), I am also looking for old, abandoned and time worn remains of human activities like huts, piers, sunken boats etc. But I mainly find inspiration (and joy) by being out, preferably in deserted, remote locations around the world, enjoying and being inspired by nature.