Last Updated on 07/31/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
All images and text by Andreas Kamoutsis. Used with permission.
My primary photographic goal is to capture strong visual elements such as mystery, feelings, harmony, and simplicity. This unique art also exists as an artistic expression of myself, a great field of continuous self-discovery, and a path for personal creative fulfillment through the ever-changing vision of this world.
I’m an Official Fujifilm X-Photographer so I use mirrorless cameras and lenses from this brand as my main photographic equipment. It’s something that I love because it offers me the quality that I want in a small package. I own two Fujifilm X-T2 cameras now, so my favorite/main set up for street photography is a small shoulder bag with one X-T2 combined with either the XF18-55mm, or the XF23mm F1.4 and XF55-200mm. For nature photography I use two Fujifilm X-T2 bodies at the same time with the XF16-55mm or XF10-24mm, and the XF50-140mm on the other one; all in a comfortable backpack.
I would love to show my work to Phoblographer readers because the best way to communicate with and inspire other people is through great photography websites like this. I think my work deserves to be published because it shows another vision of this world from a different perspective of common places.
Why did you get into photography?
The understanding of my surrounding and the best reflection of it through personalized photography projects are the most important reasons I became involved with the art of photography.
What photographers are your biggest influences?
I can say that the list is big but I believe that real inspiration and influences come within life and the things that happen around us.
How long have you been shooting?
I have been shooting since 2013.
Why is photography and shooting so important to you?
Photography is a common language. It gave me the possibility to explore not only the world around me but also myself, so it’s about self-discovery and identity exploration.
Do you feel that you’re more of a creator or a documenter? Why?
I try to capture-create photographs that make us understand better or to refresh something that already exists in our thoughts in common places. So I feel more a creator than a documenter as a photographer.
What’s typically going through your mind when you create images? Tell us about your processes both mentally and mechanically.
When I’m doing photography, I’m free. So this means I’m not trying to think of anything. It’s a creative process that I enjoy first of all by forgetting about my problems and relaxing. I’m trying to be a part of reality around me by getting as close as I can to the unknown. To me, being around random people unnoticed and having a view to record their real emotions, as they were revealed to be surprisingly and unexpectedly sophisticated and subtle, is the epitome of what makes us human!
Want to walk us through your processing techniques?
I mostly use basic post-processing techniques, like adding some extra contrast or using [the] Curves tool and Unsharp Mask, and avoid extreme photo editing.
Tell us about the project that you’re pitching, or your portfolio.
I’m working on a new project called Mannequins On The Streets. The concept of capturing the secret and surreal dimensions of the shop windows’ mannequins, which I discovered by chance as I was wandering around the streets of Athens, revealed an unknown yet interesting relationship between them, people, and their urban surroundings. I usually came across them either at street markets or piled up disjointedly outside shops, which fascinated me. My portfolio includes nature and street photography genres mostly that I have completed in last four years.
What made you want to get into your genre?
The place that I live and the influences that come from things that happen around me made me involved mostly with genres like street photography and nature photography. I think photography is something big and cannot be separated into only one genre.
Tell us a bit about the gear that you use and how you feel it helps you achieve your creative vision.
The compactness and handling, in combination with the great image quality that Fujifilm’s cameras offer, made my decision to trust Fujifilm. Things like the EVF (what you see is what you get), the articulating screen, and the practical control-dials on top of the camera have helped me make the desirable adjustments without the need to put the camera to my eye sometimes and this doubled my valuable time between the shots.
What motivates you to shoot?
The love for life, people, and the world around me.
Visit Andreas Kamoutsis’ website and follow him on Instagram and Facebook to see more of his work.