JRP: Fashion Photographer Pavel Havlicek provides us with insight into his personal style in this segment of JRP Blog. Thank you Pavel for taking some time with our readers.
Pavel Havlicek: It is my pleasure. I always like to share a few of my experiences and philosophies.
JRP: Where do you call home and what made you choose fashion photography as a profession? Is there any formal training in your background?
Pavel Havlicek: I am Czech, from Prague. New York has been my base for a while, but I am often between Europe and LA. I do enjoy being on the road a lot.
JRP: Which photographers do you feel have impacted your work and why?
Pavel Havlicek: My heroes were always people like Henri Cartier Bresson, Andrej Kertesz, Helmut Newton and my fellow country men Josef Sudek and Jan Koudelka.
JRP: Do you have a support staff that assists you and what areas do they handle?
Pavel Havlicek: Yes, I have on every shoot at least 2 assistants, 3 on the bigger productions. My lighting often gets complex so everyone is usually working very hard.
JRP: What equipment would we find in your camera bag or studio for a typical shoot? What lighting equipment and modifiers do you favor and why?
Pavel Havlicek: There would always be a Hasselblad with a couple of lenses, and a small Leica or Lumix for quick shots.
JRP: Could you describe your digital work-flow and the software you use?
Pavel Havlicek: Most of the time I am in the hands of my great digital techs until the post production begins, that would be done on the obvious Adobe Photoshop and image viewing in Bridge. I hate to digitally alter my images. Just a slight retouch of what I shoot is what you see.
JRP: Do you personally print your images?
Pavel Havlicek: Whenever time allows I love to. There is something magical about seeing the final print and it gives me even more of a kick if the print is my own. Printing is a beautiful process and I still believe that’s the final stage of every photographic process. I loved printing since I was a child. My father had all the necessary darkroom equipment and once every month, we turned our bathroom for few days into a darkroom. To me that was the most magical time but I newer thought that photography would become my profession.
JRP: With today’s economic conditions tell us how you keep productive and retain your creative edge.
Pavel Havlicek: Economic conditions should never interfere with your creative edge, as a matter fact it should provoke you to be even more creative.
JRP: Are there any memorable images or shoots you could share with us? What made that image or shoot special?
Pavel Havlicek: Every shoot is special in its own way and I am always trying to give each one my best attention. However, a few do always stand out.
I love shooting on locations in LA and throughout California. My home the Czech Republic is a very magical place to shoot. However, the most important is a good creative connection with the subject that I shoot, that is when the magic happens.
JRP: What has been some of the best advice given to you by another photographer?
Pavel Havlicek: None.
JRP: What special advice would you like to share with other photographers?
Pavel Havlicek: Stay focused and be true to yourself. Stand out and don’t blend in. Keep a tunnel vision and good luck!
JRP: Thank you Pavel for sharing your thoughts and images with us. It has been a real pleasure.
Pavel Havlicek: My pleasure as well.
JRP: To view more of Pavel Havlicek’s photography please follow these links:
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