Maria Pleshkova: Bronze Winner

 

Maria Pleshkova was awarded Bronze in the Single Image category with her image "Breath". She tells us more about the composition.

"I took it in September 2009, using a hand-made monocle," she said. "I see beauty in most unexpected places. I have a huge collection of different dried flowers and like to use them in my still life, to show their amazing beauty.  The way the flower was pictured and the way the image was treated looks symbolic to me - as if the flower wants to come alive but couldn't. It needs only one breath."

Still life photography is Maria's passion, and she also shoots landscape and abstract photography.

"The LPA is a world-recognised platforms where you can network with like-minded photographers. When I saw the opportunity to enter Still Life:5, I was really happy because still life is what I do and like. I already had this photo in my portfolio.

"I think nothing can stop me from being good at what I love. I usually don't look for commissions outside my normal area of work, but sometimes I sell finished images, using my internet gallery or during exhibitions."

Maria advises all up-and-coming photographers to work on their online portfolio. "Your internet portfolio is really important," she said. "In order to communicate with other photographers, to participate in different contests and to see what is happening in the industry: it's the only way to grow professionally."

Maria plans to exhibit her work in some artistic venues in Moscow this Summer, as well as undertaking some exciting travel ventures. "I am going to Provence in July (when the lavender fields bloom)," she said. "Being inspired by Peter Mayle's book  "A Year in Provence" , I am going to visit the places so vividly described in his book. Then I'm going to my favourite place - Mallorca - with its spectacular crystal clear sea and various landscapes. Finally, a few days in Bavarian Alps."

Maria is currently working on creating her personal works presentation album.

 

Maria's LPA profile page