Tempo writer and award-winning poet, Paul D, sat down with photographer, Klara Urban, from the Czech Republic, to discuss her creative endeavors in the UAE.
Paul D: What made you decide to move to Dubai?
Klara: I dream a lot, and Dubai seemed like a friendly environment to nourish that.
Paul D: When and how did you start dabbling in photography and graphic design?
Klara: Some fifteen years ago my father gave me his Russian-made, Zenith TTL camera to play with and that was probably the beginning. I would run around the garden taking close ups of flowers, bugs, and, occasionally, used my little brother as a model. There was no dark room access so I had to save up lunch money, drop the film in the local drug store, and wait for two weeks for the images to be developed. With the arrival of digital age, I became the designated family photographer for all the gatherings, trips, and birthday celebrations. At that time, it was pretty annoying. Traveling made me realize visual arts was the true passion. Photography was the perfect way to capture things that my poor memory pushed away instantly. Flirting with graphic design came as a way of venting visually. At the moment I use Canon 60D, 5D, AE-1 SLR, and of course the iPhone.
Paul D: In the past couple of years you have developed somewhat of a cult following with your photography style. What would you attribute that to?
Klara: ‘Cult following’ is an exaggeration, but I hope and believe there are a few lost souls who enjoy and look out for my work. Developing a photographic style is a never-ending process. I am a stubborn person and the idea of creating something for profit or to hit a number on Instagram doesn’t appeal to me at all. I just run around the globe with my camera for the love of craft. It has helped me to look at the world differently; approach people I would otherwise never have a chance to talk to, seek places nobody else would set foot in, and strive to polish my skills. Photography, art, and design are my passion and compromise is not an option. If the stuff I do becomes popular and sells that’s great. If not, I will still carry on taking pictures and sketching.
Paul D: I didn’t know you sketched; I would love to see some of your drawings. You’re also very visible on social media.
Klara: Social media is one of the best things that ever happened to me. I would probably not even speak English if it weren’t for MySpace during its glory days. People don’t seem to realize the power Internet. Everybody now has a free platform that allows them to reach out to millions and if the idea is good it goes viral instantly. Of course not all gold sparkles and yes you require self-discipline, but the key part is that the kid with ideas and passion no longer has to wait for the old man in suit and tie to grant his approval.
Paul D: What is your favorite social media medium?
Klara: I would probably choose Twitter as my number one medium simply because it made me read again and I have a space to ‘rumble’ during my insomniac nights. The challenge I face is to make peace with Instagram. Creating a profile felt like joining the enemy. It’s a brilliant idea with little to no aesthetic value. The square crops, filters, and Selfies drive me crazy sometimes.
Paul D: You have an exclusive line of custom-made phone covers coming out very soon. Tell me a little bit more about that.
Klara: Yes, it is a UAE-inspired collection of graphic prints for iPhone 5 covers, and they will soon be available in select stores around Dubai. It is a start of a whole new chapter for me and I could not be more excited. Dubai and all of the UAE is an infinite pool of inspiration; the diverse environment, architecture and cultural mix are one of a kind, and I itch to capture all that in my work.
Paul D: What do you most enjoy taking pictures of: people, city life, natural scenery?
Klara: Most definitely people. When I was studying in New York, my final presentation consisted of close up portraits of New Yorkers. It took about three weeks of running around the city with camera, approaching strangers and asking them to pose for a photograph. The stories I heard would be enough material for a book. City life would be second in line. The life within concrete jungles is so dynamic and filled with contrast, but photography has the power to pin point the details, bring out emotions and capture stories.
Paul D: Last question. What do you enjoy most, paying for the bill or having it paid for?
Klara: Blank stare.
