Interview with Natalia Arantseva : A Successful Travel Photographer and A Jolly Woman

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, your blog(s)/website(s),and your aspirations and your hobbies!!
My greatest passion (besides photography) is traveling and I was fortunate to visit many countries of the world – including the remote areas of Papua Irian Jaya. In my early childhood I lived in the country side of Russia where I had learned to live in harmony with nature. Horses were a major part of my youth – maybe that’s why I include those magnificent animals into my conceptual work.
Living in Mumbai, one of the most populated megalopolitan cities in the world, it’s often a hard task to find a peaceful place with attributes required to create your own world for conceptual photography. I love to shoot during the rains when natural fog adds the mystery to complete the desirable mood of my images: at times I have to travel away from Mumbai. I aim for something magical, for something out of this world, something out of a fairy tale.
I am a Cannon user and own 5D mark 2 and mark 3 cameras, lenses 24-70, 70-200 and fish eye 15 mm. In my camera bag I always carry a little sun, (that’s how I call) Cannon speed light 580, and since I have to work in an atmosphere of a high humidity, I carry a waterproof camera case and even an umbrella.
In my opinion, it does not matter where you live, or what conditions are forced onto you, one can always find the way to express yourself.

2. How you first got involved in with photography, are you an imaginative person?
I have started photography 5 years back.

3. What does photography mean to you?
It’s the way to express myself.

4. Photography is your passion or profession or both?
Passion and profession I would say. I have a photo studio in Mumbai, where regularly conduct photography classes and workshops.

5. What do you find most challenging about photography about your topic?
Living in the city that is difficult to call photogenic for my type of photography.

6. How do you get the person, place or thing that is in front of the camera onto the film, chip or paper in just the way you want?
That’s a difficult question. Not always things go the way you want. The third eye does all work that time. And it’s impossible to describe.

7. How would (someone) describe your photography style?
Art. I often hear the words – just like painting.

8 . Which photographers influenced you, and how did they influence your thinking and photographing?
My favourite photographer is Rarindra Prakarsa. Control of light is what I admire.

9. Any specific tips you have for newbie photographers?
Nowadays,  dslr users have a tendency to press shutter continuously without thinking , hoping that 1 out of 1000 images will be good. So my advice,  press shutter as if it was film camera. Think and analise the light , frame , composition and etc. Treasure each click.

10. What motivates you to continue taking pictures economically, politically, intellectually or emotionally?
Art is all about feelings and emotions. No other reason can be there.

11. Five adjectives that describe you.
That’s not in my character to talk about myself in adjectives. Too many I , me , myself

12. Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments?
Not at all.

13. You have a website also, please tell me about that?
My work can be viewed at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nataliaphotographypage) or 500px there is no actual need to have a website to display photography any more.

14. What motivates you most in life?
My family.

15. So whats Next in your list?
Travelling
! Mongolia is next !

16. Words and suggestion about my website www.indiaataglance.com
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