by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 10th of August 2020

Aurimas Valevičius' portfolio is amazing and outstanding when it comes to Fine Nude Art.  His body of work undeniably shows that he always tries to stay away from anatomic representation or erotica.  To him, it is essential to capture unexpected forms, originality, light and shadow play on the subject's body shapes.

Enjoy Aurimas vision of photography and admire the wonderful gallery at the end of this interview.

'Fern blossom'

Briefly tell us about yourself, your hobbies and other jobs, dear Arimas.
7 years ago I’ve started photographing and all the other hobbies disappeared. Sport, fishing etc. became forgotten. I have a degree in architecture and I’m still working in this field. Photography for me is both a hobby and a source of income.

How has your history and life experiences affected your photography?
Which are your most important experiences that has influenced your art?
Hard to say, everything happened naturally. I went to an art school before studying. Still have an easel. When you paint, your hands get dirty. When you shoot, your hands are clean. I had an opportunity to dig into multiple art disciplines while studying architecture. Which is now quite useful in photography. I did some photography courses when I started photographing, but most of the art I’m learning myself.

What first attracted you to photography?
I had a film camera in my childhood. I’ve played with it, developed pictures. Then I’ve dropped this hobby which I’ve later came back to again. Later, digital cameras opened wider possibilities and of course much easier work. In addition, digital editing became handsome tool.

Can you describe your overall photographic vision?
For me, a photograph is worthy if you want to print it big and hang on the wall. Especially big. Only on big prints you can see and enjoy the true beauty of a photo.

 
Why are you so drawn by Fine Art Photography?
I wouldn’t say I’m only interested in Fine Art Photography or that I mostly lean towards it. For me, Fine Art is more of a game. I’m trying to explore Nude Art more. Although the two fields often intertwine. I don’t underestimate documentary photography, but art photography attracted me maybe because it started as a hobby.

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
Probably mood. It’s more important than technicalities, although one must not to forget technical quality. If it’s a portrait, then maybe the emotion, more important than the technique. It’s quite easy to take a technically well-done photograph, it’s hard to take an interesting photograph. Some times you can take a better picture with your phone than your camera. In essence – one can’t ignore technical execution, but what’s most important is story and emotion. Also I would like to add that technical quality is not only how expensive the gear is, but also composition etc. It’s harder to capture a dumpster than a pretty house or a glamour portrait.

What generally is your relationship to your subject matter beyond being an observer?
It’s not always the case that there’s a lot of story prepared. If it’s nude, I try to stay away from anatomic representation or erotica. For me it’s important to capture unexpected forms, originality, light and shadow play on subject’s body shapes. Here, as with the landscape: you can take pictures of the beach, but maybe you can catch the sand dust flying.

 
What gear do you use (camera, lenses, bag)?
I’ve used Nikon, now switched to Sony. I like Sony’s novelties and fast focus. I have numerous lenses - wide, short and long focal lengths. I use a variety of gear, it mostly depends on what’s the current budget and demands.

What software do you use to process your images?
Photoshop and Lightroom

Can you tell us something more about your work flow?
I have my spacious dirty studio adapted to different kinds of photo shoots . I can pour sand, spray water, play with paint. It’s my work studio, not a decorated studio with props. I mostly work there, although I intend to work outdoors more.

What is your most important advice to a beginner in Fine Nude Art Photography and how do you get started?
My main advice – do it honestly, with a motive of expressing yourself through art. It’s very important to push sexual thoughts to the side if the goal is art.

Who are your favourite photographers and more importantly, how has your appreciation of their work affected how you approach your own photography? 

From Lithuanians – Algis Griškevičius.
I had an opportunity to participate in his photo shoots, interact with a real artist.

Others: Ruslan Lobanov, Arkadiusz Branicki. It’s always good to learn from other masters. I sometimes even tried to copy their work by creating similar story, composition. It makes you analyse the differences and learn how to achieve particular things. Sometimes I'm lucky to do even better - it’s a real engine pushing to dig something else.

 
Is there any specific photo taken by another photographer that has inspired you a lot and why?  
My guru still is Helmut Newton and particularly this one:

@ Helmut Newton

I like the energy radiating from the photo. The composition is full of self-confidence, courage, certainty.

Are there any specific directions that you would like to take your photography in the future or any specific goals that you wish to achieve?
I have few ideas for this year, I’m working on them this summer. I hope to hold exhibitions out of them. And strangely, it will be outdoors, not in the studio. One of them is Sisyphus. I think I look for contradictions between a man and a woman. What prevents that Sisyphus from rolling the stone?

Describe your favourite photograph taken by you and why it is special to you?
It's a hard question. There are many.
One of them is "Boiling Veins".
The veins in this picture are not drawn by photoshop. There is only blue channel enhanced.

'Boiling Veins'

 

Is there anything else you wish to add?
All people are beautiful or, at least, interesting and suitable to have an artistic photograph created of. But not everyone is suitable for a particular idea. Unfortunately, there‘s a strong standard for perfect bodies in Nude Art field. Maybe it‘s because of laziness, because it‘s an easier way to do relatively good work when your model fits to public standards.

'After Crucifixion'

'Torso'

'Shoulders ongoing'

'The Nod'

'Shadows perfection'

'Calmness'

'Peaceful Thoughts'

'Elegance'

'Torso'

'abutment'

'Moonlight Drops'

'33 weeks'

'Look at me !'

'Deep Bow 6156'

'Summer'