Dariusz Bruhnke - Polish aurora hunter [INTERVIEW]

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Dariusz Bruhnke is a Pole who lives in Norway. He is known as the "Polish aurora hunter", mainly due to the beautiful photographs in which he can capture the beauty of these natural phenomena. He also runs photography workshops in the northern part of the country, during which he shares the secrets of landscape photography.

Polish aurora hunter - to capture the moment

As Dariusz Bruhnke claims, photography is painting with light and shadow. The most important thing is to have a feeling and catch that moment, that split second that will delight the audience. He made himself known as the "Polish aurora hunter" after he was able to spend the whole night in a sleeping bag, take a picture of the aurora borealis, then pack his gear in the morning and go to work.

Conversation

How does it feel to win a prestigious photo competition?

A friend from Poland called me with congratulations. I asked him "But what is it?" (laughter). It turned out that I won the national competition in which I took 1st place and qualified for the international competition in which 15 countries take part. At first I was a bit shocked.

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A few days later, I got a message from the editor of the Foto-Kurier magazine - Krzysztof Patryca - that I had won the second place in an international competition. Therefore, we are going to go to Berlin. Of course, this distinction gave me a lot of opportunities to develop my passion. I think the biggest benefit for me of winning this competition was knowing my worth. It also gave me the motivation to continue.

What are your achievements other than second place in the EISA Maestro?

I have over a dozen publications in national magazines, such as National Geographic, Foto-kurier. I have also won in several Norwegian competitions, including NRK Photographer of the Year and photo of the year in the regional newspaper Stjordalsnyyt.

You run photography workshops in Norway. What are they about? How do they look? What audiences are they aimed at?

Yes, I run photography workshops. Most often they take place in the northern part of Norway. Personally, I think it is one of the most beautiful regions in this country. Wildness and beauty, pristine nature - this is what I love the most!

I run the workshops in the Lofoten archipelago, I especially like to organize them in winter. Then the auroras are the order of the day here.

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The workshops mainly concern landscape photography, but together with Adam Wawrzyniak we have also prepared a program in which we conduct classes in the field of portraiture. The workshops are aimed at people who would like to enrich their photography workshop, as well as learn the secrets of preparation for going out into the open air.

Where can you track where the photography classes will take place?

Information about the workshops is available on the FB website

www.facebook.com/fotowyprawnenorway/

Photography is art - there is no doubt about it. What is more important in taking photos - good equipment or a great eye?

I believe that the equipment in photography is not important, but it is important what field of photography we want to do and at what level. We live in times when landscape photography requires good equipment such as: filters, wide-angle lens, full-frame camera and a tripod.

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In portrait or reportage photography it is not that important anymore, here the skills of photo processing are more needed. Many people accuse me of having great equipment thanks to which I take good photos. In such cases, I always answer, and I quote:

“- Wife cooks well?
- Yes. Why do you ask ?
- Hmm, he probably has good pots. "

I think it is more about the approach to this art and the feeling that allows you to show the image in an attractive way, no matter if it's a portrait photography or a landscape. The most important thing is to impress the viewer with your work, to keep it for a moment. A photo should tell a story that happened.

How to start your adventure with photography? Is it worth investing thousands in a good camera or starting with something budget? Or maybe sign up for some training?

Beginning your adventure with photography requires you to feel it. When practicing this art, one should perceive the world differently, catch moments, fractions of a second and capture them in a photograph. Photography is light and shadow. You paint a picture with light and shadow

For beginner photographers, I suggest not to buy expensive lenses or a camera for the very start. These days, mirrorless cameras with interchangeable optics are available and I think this is the best solution at the beginning.

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Certainly, photography workshops provide a lot of knowledge and practice. Thanks to them, we have the opportunity to meet people with a passion for photography, with whom we can exchange information. Personally, I believe that each photographer has his own knowledge and theory on this subject. This is the best form of learning.

For me, photography is a passion without which it would be difficult for me to function. Is this a way of life? Hmm, I think that at some point in my passion I started to think about combining it with work. In the future, I am thinking of opening a photo studio, not only to take photos for clients, but also for myself. I would like to open my own gallery and invite my friends to make portraits during the conversation. I believe that the best portrait is one that is spontaneous and natural.

You are known as the Polish Zórz Hunter. Did you come to Norway to be able to capture them in photos or did you start to become fascinated with them only after arriving in this country?

Yes, I have heard from a few friends that I am known as a Polish aurora hunter. And this was due to the fact that when I was leaving for the aurora, of course after checking the weather, I was able to wait all night in a sleeping bag, observe the sky and catch this culminating moment. In the morning I packed my equipment and went to work.

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It was tough sometimes, but I was happy. I knew I had a good photo. Aurora became fascinated after my arrival in this country, as well as photography in general. This is where I found my calling and the fulfillment of my dreams. Aurora is one of the most beautiful phenomena in the world, it can be different every time.

Would you like to say something to the Norwegian Polish community?

I would like to tell the Polish community in Norway not to give up their dreams and pursue their life goals, disregarding the contradictions.