Miroslav Mominski: My soul cannot live without this universe

“My name is Miroslav Mominski, from Veliko Tarnovo. Now a former forensic scientist. I am currently working in the field of trade. I’ve been doing photography since I was a child and I always thought it was innate to me because the desire to stop time came quite spontaneously, and I’ve never attended courses or studied photography until now. In recent years, I have been photographing only in the Rhodope Mountains, which for me is a great love and I feel like my home.“

If the Rhodope Mountains were a woman, what would she be? Describe her to us

Tall and slender as the ancient pines, with eyes as deep and beautiful as the mountain lakes, in which you can look around and see her soul. Gentle, like the enchanting mornings after rain and warm, like the last rays of an autumn sunset that embrace you. With unearthly curves, such as only the Rhodope Mountains have.

What is good photography for you?

The one that can leave you speechless, make you think, shed a tear, even make your heart flutter and want to come back again and again to experience it.

What are you dreaming of, Miro?

Above all, for a better future for my children, to see them successful and happy. I’ve always wanted to travel back in time and live there. I know it’s impossible, but one day the soul never knows where it will fly, so I dream. I always dream…

Now that you have a book in your hands, where to? (note author – Miro published a book with photographs from the Rhodope Mountains)

Here I want to first thank the whole team of friends who put a part of themselves in order for the book to exist, my parents and family for their support. Without them, it wouldn’t exist. It is priceless to have such people by your side. Years ago, I had no idea to create such a project, but I was provoked by how modernity ruthlessly devours the past and everything authentic. This photo album is a way to turn bits of time into eternity. And now where my eyes can see, that is, back to the Rhodopes 🙂 🙂 :).

My soul cannot do without this universe.

What is photography to you? What does it give you? And does it take anything and what?

Love, a predestined path that I follow. An opportunity to stop the hands of the clock and provide time travel to new generations. It has given me unforgettable emotions, it has allowed me to see things beyond reality. I met real friends and traveled.

She never took anything from me, Villy.

If you could change the world, what would you do?

Trivial perhaps, but I want no wars, no hungry and thirsty children and people. To be more human, less material. If we can be as pure as the soul of a child. We humans are specks of dust that the wind carries imperceptibly and we don’t need to do bad things, only good ones. Then the world will be better.

Who/what makes you smile?

The happy children’s eyes, the happiness of loved ones. The morning, the sun, the drops of dew or the smell of a blossoming tree. The sound of the waves, the songs of the birds or the wind. What I see, feel, experience. That I have the chance to live here and now.

Recommend us a book/movie?

Книга, “Родопа планина – една голяма любов” 🙂 🙂 🙂 , филм, “Солта на земята”

Tell us a story from your wanderings in the Rhodope that has remained sealed in your heart?

It was summer, I was photographing some women in an old barn spinning tobacco. It was inhumanly hot. I looked into their eyes. Tired, but kept the sparks inside. Faces burnt by the merciless sun. Hands blackened with tar. I smelled the smell of freshly picked tobacco… And while I was absorbing this picture with my senses, I unexpectedly took the song “Rufinka bolna legnala”. It was sung by a man named Vasil, with whom they worked. At that moment, emotions took over and I seemed to stop breathing.
I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t. I closed my eyes and the tears flowed…

What is the thing that sets you apart from the rest?

I don’t like to talk about myself and show off. I don’t like attention 🙂 🙂 :). But, God forbid, I differ with the look and the photography I do :). Time will tell.

Who is the photographer you admire the most? Why? What is your favorite photo of him and why?

Sebastiao Salgado. A phenomenon both as a person and as a photographer. For such people as him I say they are touched by god. In Bulgaria – Yavor Michev and Tsoncho Balkandzhiev. Both with inimitable style and thinking. There are quite a few talented photographers in our country. There are many favorite photos of all three.

What is the best advice you have received?

There must have been a lot of good ones and not one or two considering their thick head. But I rarely listen. I am a Capricorn and whatever I decide, I do. And nobody can stop me. Right or wrong.