Sonka Skerik

Thank you so much. It's an incredible honour. My journey into photography began with a simple passion for storytelling. From my very first shot, my focus has been on capturing genuine emotion and fleeting moments.

Over time, my approach has evolved from simply documenting what I see to intentionally crafting images that evoke a specific feeling. I’ve transitioned from a focus on technical perfection to a deep appreciation for the artistry of light, shadow, and composition, with a clear goal of creating images that are not just seen, but felt.

I decide which photos to submit for a competition by setting aside my personal attachment to the images. I look at them with a critical, objective eye. I focus on selecting a piece that:

Tells a Story: It must have a clear narrative or convey a strong, singular emotion that doesn't require a lot of explanation.

Is Technically Flawless: The image needs to be impeccable in terms of focus, exposure, and composition.

Is Visually Striking: It should have an immediate, memorable impact on a viewer who has no prior context.

Is Unique: I look for something that is original and stands out from what is typically seen in the specific competition category.

What first made me pick up a camera was my desire to capture the ephemeral beauty of everyday moments. I've always been a keen observer, and a camera became the perfect tool to freeze those fleeting scenes—the way light hits a subject, a genuine smile, or the quiet beauty of a landscape at a specific time of day. It was about creating a tangible memory, a visual diary of the world as I see it, and sharing that perspective with others.

My favourite type of photography is portraiture. I love it because it's a deep dive into human connection. It's not just about taking a picture of someone; it's about seeing them, making them feel comfortable, and capturing a glimpse of their unique personality and inner world.

Every portrait session is a collaboration, and I cherish the opportunity to tell a person's story through their expression, their eyes, and their gestures.

My go-to setup is the Nikon Z6 II with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens. This combination works best for my projects because it provides the perfect balance of versatility and exceptional image quality. The Nikon Z6 II's full-frame sensor delivers stunning images, even in low light, and the in-body image stabilisation is a huge advantage.

The real star of the show, however, is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens. This is my favourite feature. The lens is renowned for its sharpness and, most importantly, its beautiful, creamy bokeh, which allows me to create a very shallow depth of field to isolate my subjects and draw the viewer's eye exactly where I want it.

I wish they would feel the importance, the beauty and the subject's perfection.

Capturing this image, which I call "Mother Nature," presented several unique challenges. The single most challenging part was controlling the light and colour to achieve the precise, ethereal mood I envisioned. The scene was lit with a very specific green filter and a single light source, which created a narrow beam to illuminate the subject's face.

This was difficult because any slight movement from the model or a change in the light's angle would shift the colour and the highlights on her face, ruining the effect. We had to work together with extreme precision and patience to maintain the exact look I wanted.

For me, my greatest inspiration comes from people and the stories they carry. I've always been drawn to capturing genuine human connection and emotion, whether it's the quiet strength in a person's portrait, the spontaneous joy of a family, or the unique dynamics between two people.

Every individual has a story etched into their expression and gestures, and my goal is to reveal a piece of that narrative. This pursuit of authentic moments is what truly drives my passion and creativity.

My biggest influences in photography are the masters who elevated portraiture to an art form, especially those who focused on capturing not just a likeness, but the inner world of their subjects. Richard Avedon is a huge influence on me for his minimalist style that forced the viewer to focus on raw emotion.

I am also deeply inspired by the work of Annie Leibovitz and her ability to tell a story in a single, powerful frame. Their work taught me that a great portrait is about more than just a beautiful face; it's about capturing a genuine human moment and telling a compelling story.

My message would be: Participate in photography awards not for the prize, but for the process. It's a powerful tool for growth, pushing you to critically evaluate your work and refine your vision. The advice I would give is to be original, be you. Don't try to guess what judges want; instead, submit work that is unique and shows your personal perspective. Master the technical fundamentals, be objective when selecting your images, and always read the rules carefully to avoid a simple disqualification.

For someone just starting out, my one piece of advice would be: Shoot with intention, but don't be afraid to make mistakes. Instead of just snapping a picture, take a moment to think about what story you want to tell or what emotion you want to capture. This intentional approach will train your eye and help you develop your own unique perspective.

At the same time, don't let the fear of a bad photo stop you. Experiment with different settings, angles, and light. The only way to truly learn is by doing, and every mistake is a step toward understanding your camera and your craft better.

I see AI as a powerful tool, not a replacement for human creativity. It has already automated many tedious tasks in post-processing, such as removing distractions and intelligent sharpening. This frees up my time to focus on the truly creative aspects of my work—the composition, the storytelling, and connecting with my subject.

In the future, I believe AI will push photographers to specialise even more in the human element, as our unique perspective and ability to capture authentic, unrepeatable moments will be more valuable than ever.

If I could photograph anything or anyone in the world, it would be to document the daily lives of people who live in isolated, ancient communities. I'm fascinated by cultures that have maintained their unique traditions and way of life in the face of a rapidly modernising world.

My goal would be to live among them for a period of time, capturing their daily rituals and the quiet moments of connection between families, to create an intimate visual record of a way of life that is so different from our own.