Chitchat: Iwona Drozda-Sibeijn
Your Full Name
Iwona Drozda-Sibeijn
Tell us about you
I’m a project manager, majoring in initiatives supporting business in non-profit sector. Art has never been my profession but rather a hobby, which started playing more and more significant role in my life.
All I know I have learned myself by trial and error method. 5 years ago I was still making collages in Corel PhotoPaint out of horrible photos taken with a compact camera. Getting new tools 2 years ago brought me to another level-I surprisingly noticed my photos were gaining a better quality.
This is where I am now: trying new techniques, improving my skills and sharing it with wider audience. Yet still, art remains the same for me-a perfect way to embody my emotions.
Where are you located?
I am polish, but I live in Amstelveen, the Netherlands.
A great photographer is…..
someone who can create unique or inspirational atmosphere.
What drove you to become a photographer?
When I was 16, my mother bought a film camera. It was some “no brand” model-really bad-but it triggered something in me. I found myself carrying it around everywhere taking photos of basically anything. I dropped this hobby for quite a while though, to focus on my education and career.
Only 10 years later I bought a digital compact camera and discovered the world of photo manipulation. Almost every day when I got back from my work, I used to mess with Photoshop till late at night. At that time my photos weren’t good enough to present them just like that, so I used them in manipulations. When I finally got my first SLR and some good lenses, I saw I actually could take technically good photo. It pushed me to try to improve my photography even more.
Tell us about your unique photography style and the creative process behind it?
Creative process is always an impulse for me. Most of the time I have some idea popping in my head and I have to bring it to life straight away otherwise I can’t focus on anything else. It used to get me in real trouble when I was younger; luckily I can control it much better now 
.
Sometimes I also wander around looking for some inspiration or just a nice scenery. In the end I hang on to an idea I’ve stumbled upon and try to get the desired result immediately as well. Finally, I give the photo a special feeling by adjusting colors, contrast, etc. I always convert RAW file and use no or as little Photoshop as possible.
If you were not a photographer, what would be the alternative career path you choose?
I wish I’d chosen to be a photographer
How do you promote yourself?
I try to be visible in chosen online art places, mostly to get some feedback. Although it’s certainly not the best thing to do if you want to go fully commercial
What do you think about the Internet and how it is affecting the visual communication business?
Obviously, internet makes life much easier in many areas, including visual communication. From an artist point of view, it opens new possibilities to promote and get feedback on artwork, as well as to learn new techniques, equipment, etc. It certainly helped me in every aspect mentioned.
Internet is also transforming the market from print to digital, although print won’t cease to exist, as many feared before. It is gradually transferred to digital. Take CD artwork as an example (I did a few myself). Instead of a paper booklet, musicians make artwork available online, along with the music. Most internet markets in visual communication business are in upward trend and, from the other hand, the new ones are constantly opening, so it is also more likely to find a niche for any type of artwork.
Could you share any insight for people just entering the profession?
That would be an insight from myself for myself 
Who is the person that you look up to in the photography world? Why so?
No-one in particular. I try to “process” creations of as many people as I can get to. I really enjoy looking at any good picture, regardless who the author is. Usually it’s an unique atmosphere or unusual character of a photo that impresses me.
What music are you listening lately?
Mainly heavier doom metal, depressive, sludge, metalcore, good old grunge…
Name 3 your favorite books.
“The Long Walk” by Stephen King; “Brain Sex” by Anne Moir & David Jessel and “Modern concepts of corporate management” by Jacek Dytwald
What do you like the smell of? Why so?
I like the smell of a frosty sunny day. It’s so refreshing!
If you have online portfolio, what is the URL?
My online portfolio: http://www.eeritrocite.com/
All my newest work can be found on: http://www.yv.deviantart.com/
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