WORLD TO ROAM
DOWN RANGE WITH DARIA TROITSKAIA
Where are you from and based currently? And how long have you been shooting for now?
I’m now in my third year of living in Milan, Italy. Before that I lived in Malta for a few years and before that I travelled a lot. I finished school in Vienna, Austria. But I’m originally from St Petersburg, Russia.
I studied at an art school and graduated in design, so I have always been involved with photography. I started to take pictures professionally in Malta around 8 years ago.
We see you have a love for adventure and sports cars. How did that come about?
I have always loved adventures. I don't know where it comes from, I just feel like new experiences help me evolve and get new emotions.
As for cars, I like them as long as I can remember! Sports cars have a particular flair - it’s not only their speed that fascinates me, but also the atmosphere around them, the history of their creation, the history that each particular car has. Knowing about them makes me appreciate their aesthetic even more. After moving to Italy, I discovered the world of classic cars, which for me opened up a world of new acquaintances and new opportunities for capturing them.
What subjects do you enjoy shooting the most?
This changes a lot! While in Malta, I was fascinated with street photography, but then this fascination passed. At the moment I have 2 favourite subjects. First, I am passionate about aerial photography: I shoot landscapes and try to find interesting and unusual places in Italy and beyond. The second thing I really like are the ideas that I get in my head and realise them. They can be quite varied, ranging from ongoing fine art series with stories and characters to finished projects. For example, last year I did a series of still lifes which were printed in LFI magazine, and also won several awards.
I think one of the beautiful things about photography is that you can do different things instead of being stuck on one theme. And for different things you have to study theory, sometimes history and philosophy and thoroughly prepare. In the end, this is what helps to perfect your craft.
What's your approach to coming up with your angles and composition for your photography?
There are basic rules that you just have to learn and always remember. Within each shot you can decide to follow or break them to achieve a new vision.
Yet the most important thing to convey your idea is to attract the viewer's attention - for this purpose it is impossible to completely ignore the rules of composition. Only afterwards can a story be told through photography. No matter how nerdy it sounds, it is impossible to create a perfect body of work without knowing the theory.
What Leica gear do you enjoy using ?
I have a collection of Leica cameras and others too, but my favourites are the Leica S3 and Leica M7 and M11.Then come all my other cameras, depending on the vision I have.
Usually when I shoot, I take 2 cameras: a Leica S3 and a Leica M7 or M11. Sometimes i also go for a Polaroid SX70 or the Hasselblad 503CW, and the list of combinations goes on. These are my favourites within the digital medium format and film.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to getting into the industry?
First you need to understand what your goals are, what you want to shoot now and how you want to evolve, and choose your gear accordingly. I would advise to not shy away from complicated themes and subjects, but to prepare sufficiently.
What's projects are you currently working on?
At the moment I am working on a backstage shoot for a famous ballet group in St. Petersburg. Next I'm going back to Italy, where I have another car project waiting for me - this time I will be shooting for Mercedes. Afterwards then I'm shooting Goodwood in England and finally I have some helicopter shoots planned. In November I have an exhibition and a workshop in Singapore with Leica Pacific Asia. I got busy weeks ahead! Time as usual is very short.
What's your most favourite photo you have shot recently and why?
I'm quite sceptical about my work… But I love how Liza (my favourite model&muse) turned out in the yellow helicopter in our most recent shoot. This photo had exactly the mood I wanted to convey. Although as usual I look at my works and think what I should have done differently and what could be improved. This is the second time I've taken this picture, I may have to take it a third time.
