Anna Laza - The B&W Photographer Of The Year 2022

Hello Anna, you are the winner of the 1st edition of Black And White Photo Awards. For that you won a Leica Q2 camera. How do you feel about being chosen as winner amping hundreds of other photographers ?

Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to speak about my experience as the winner of the Black and White Photo Awards! I am incredibly honored to have been chosen as the winner among so many talented photographers. Winning the Leica Q2 camera is an added bonus and will certainly help me to continue creating and exploring my artistic vision.

As I put a lot of work and dedication into my photography, so it is a wonderful feeling to see that effort pay off in such a meaningful way. :) Thank you again for this amazing opportunity, and for recognizing my work. I am happy that my work was exhibited by Black and White Photo Awards in a big photo festival in the US.

Can you tell us about your background and how did you come to became photographer ?

I started to be in photography about 15 years ago. At that time I used to model and participated in shootings. But quite quickly I got more and more curious to stand on the other side of the camera. So slowly, but certainly I started my own way in the big universe of photography. I was especially drawn to black and white photography, which I felt had a timeless and poetic quality that resonated with me deeply.

I developed also principles in my shootings and always keep in focus my own style. It’s very important for an artist both to keep his/her unique style and progress in it the same time. When I shoot women I avoid sexualizing them and even photographing naked body there’ll be no sexual vision in the image, but sensual and sophisticated.

Today, I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue my passion for photography full-time, and to have the opportunity to share my vision and my perspective with others through the images. It is a deeply fulfilling and rewarding path, and I am excited to see where it will take me in the future.

What about the series Metaphysical body landscape, how did you build this project and what you planning to do with in the future ?

The « Metaphysical Body Landscapes » series is one of my personal and introspective projects, and it has been a true labor of love to bring it to life. The series is a collection of black and white photographs that explore the intersection of the human body and the natural landscape, creating a sense of ambiguity and surrealism that invites the viewer to contemplate the deeper meanings and connections between these two elements.

The inspiration for this series came from my own experiences and reflections on the human body and its relationship to the natural world. I have always been fascinated by the way that our bodies interact with the environment, how we are shaped by it and how we in turn shape it. In these images, I wanted to create a sense of unity and harmony between the body and the landscape, blurring the boundaries between them to create a new kind of entity.

In the project « Metaphysical Body Landscapes » there’s a connection between the human and the landscape. The term metaphysical here represents what can’t be seen at a first sight, what is hidden in the fantasy of the viewer. I shoot bodies with the idea of going beyond reality and allowing myself to connect them to the landscapes scenes that stay in my memory since I was a child.

The curves of the body are actually landscapes. But those landscapes are out of space and time, they are under the night sky for millions of years. These photographs show both immortality and fragility. Hundreds of years pass by, but these shapes remain the same. And very slowly they transform into another shape of body. And this process is never-ending.

To create these images, I spent many hours scouting locations, experimenting with different poses and compositions, and refining my technique to capture the unique qualities of each scene and body landscape. Each photograph in the series is carefully composed and crafted, with attention to detail and a focus on creating a sense of visual harmony and balance.

As for the future, I plan to continue to push the boundaries of my own creative vision. I am always looking for new and exciting ways to express my ideas through photography, and I am excited to see where this project will take me in the years to come. Whether through making a photo book, exhibitions, or collaborations with art galleries, I am excited to continue to explore the rich and multifaceted world of photography and visual art.

As a winner of our photo contest you will integrate the jury of our photo contest for the next edition, what advices you can give to photographers who wanna apply for the next year ?

I would like to offer a few pieces of advice to photographers who are considering submitting their work:

First and foremost, I would encourage photographers to be true to their own vision and voice. Photography is a deeply personal and subjective art form, and it is important to create work that is authentic and meaningful to you. Don't be afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of your own creativity, even if it means going against conventional norms or expectations! Your true personality and vision should be seen in your work.

Secondly, I would recommend taking the time to really think about the theme of the contest and how your work relates to it. Consider the various ways in which the theme can be interpreted and expressed, and try to find a unique and original angle that will set your work apart from many others. What makes your work special? Focus on there.

Another important aspect is to pay attention to the technical aspects of your work, such as composition, lighting, post-processing and of course selecting the best images. These elements can make a big difference in the final result and can help your work stand out from the crowd.

Lastly, I would encourage photographers to stay passionate and dedicated. Photography is a lifelong journey of learning and discovery, and it takes time, effort, and patience to develop your skills and create truly great work. Don't be discouraged by setbacks or rejections, but instead use them as opportunities to learn and grow as a photographer! I believe participating will make you progress.

I wish all the photographers applying for the next edition the best of luck and look forward to seeing your amazing work that will be submitted!

I am honored to be given the chance to join the jury of the 2023 edition of the Black and White Photo Awards competition.

Anna Laza (@laza_anna) is an influential visual artist working in Art photography. Her projects are focused on finding new innovative style both shooting and post processing. Her work has been rewarded and been exhibited internationally in many countries around the world, she has won in a number of famous photo contests, including LensCulture, Minimalist Awards and others. She is often published in photography magazines and regularly appears on prestigious jury lists for photographic events. Beside her own photography she is a creator of photo magazine FotoSlovo, which promotes every year new emerging talents in photography. Her website : https://annalaza.com/