Adina Shurkin has been working as a photographer for over a decade, photographing landscapes and portraits of her friends and family for the purpose of sharing her photographic journey with people all around the world. As a result of her college years in New York, where she studied both fine arts and photography, she pursued a passion for fine art and photography throughout her college years. Over the past few years, she’s developed a passion for fine art and photography that has taken her all over the world. Her goal is to inspire others to value nature through the creation of art.
This interview will provide you with a unique insight into how Adina Shurkin creates her photos and how they come to life.
How Adina got into photography?
Adina Shurkin: “I always enjoyed drawing and painting as a child, but in high school I became more drawn to photography. I loved the idea of capturing something that was not just in my head, but was also out in the world. I had always been interested in drawing and painting, but photography seemed to offer a way to more fully express myself in the form of images. When I first came to New York, I was immediately drawn to photography classes. I had a lot of drive and was especially curious about the technical aspects of the medium. Luckily, I had the opportunity to take classes with instructors who were incredibly kind, patient, and inspiring. I made a few very close friends while taking my classes and that was incredibly helpful. It was in my photography classes that I learned not only the technical skills of photography, but also a lot about art theory as well“.
What Adina’s working process consists of?
Adina Shurkin: “Before I take a photo, I like to go out and find the location that I want to photograph. I like to walk around the location looking at what is around me and what I could possibly photograph.
Finding the right location is extremely important because I want to be able to photograph the location as well as the subject. I usually carry my camera with me to get a feel for the location, but I try to stay as inconspicuous as possible. When I am at the location that I want to photograph, I like to take a few minutes to get my breathing in check and quiet my busy mind. I usually have a few ideas and questions that I am trying to figure out while I am out taking photos, so I like to take a few minutes to quiet myself and clear my mind”.
What equipment Adina recommends?
Adina Shurkin: “I cannot recommend these pieces of equipment enough. I bought them almost a year ago and I could not be happier. I would get rid of all of my other equipment if I had to start over. The camera I use is a Fujifilm X-T10. This is a fantastic camera that is not too expensive and has an amazing lens attached to it.
The lens I use is the Fujinon 35mm f/2. This lens is incredibly sharp, and colorful, and performs beautifully in low light. It is also very fast so I can take photos of moving objects in low light situations.
The other piece of equipment that I could not live without is my tripod. I use my tripod for most of my photographs, but I also use it for video recording. It is extremely portable, easy to carry, and allows me to take very steady photos.
I have all of my photos printed at a lab in New York City called Shutterbug. I use their online booking system and it makes ordering prints extremely simple. All of my prints come in a very sturdy box with a letterpressed greeting. They make my life a lot easier on a daily basis, and I recommend them to everyone”.
What inspires Adina?
Adina Shurkin: “In my photography, I try to find the beauty in everyday locations. I love to find places that are not very well known, or are not very heavily traveled to. I like to find places that are a bit off the beaten path.
Places like waterfalls, abandoned locations, or places where a tree has fallen are some places that I find beautiful. When I am out photographing, I try to stay very focused and be aware of my surroundings. I try to think about what I see while walking around the location or while in the car on the way to the location. I try to make the most of my time by being relaxed and focused. When I am at the location that I am photographing, I try to put myself in the place of someone who has been there before. I try to imagine what the place would have looked like before I showed up, and what it looks like now”.
How Adina shares stories trough her photography?
Adina Shurkin: “In order to share a story, we must first have a beginning. In other words, every story must start somewhere. I also like to think of photography as a form of storytelling. Each photograph tells a story and connects with the viewer in a similar way that a poem or piece of literature does. Each photograph also comes with its own set of feelings, which is why it can be so powerful. I try never to take the same photograph twice for two reasons: one, because I want each photograph to tell a different story and two, because I want each photograph to have its own specific feelings behind it”.
Final Words
We hope Adina Shurkin’s photographs inspire you to fall in love with the natural world all over again, as well as connect with your loved ones in a new and deeper way. You can see more of Adina’s photography on her Behance profile.
