Florian Dorfstetter
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
My name is Flo, I am 43 years old, I live in Linz/Austria and I got into photography by a friend who taught me a very important thing, he said to me "a good picture has to be earnt."
2. Where did you study photography?
Actually, I didn't study photography. I learnt much using the trial-error-principle. I also take always looks at good pictures and study how they were made.
Additionally I attended some photo-workshops and -journeys and there I also got great instructions that I try to follow :-)
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
My first shot. I think it was a butterfly on a thistle. An awful picture, to be honest, I made it about 20 years ago. I had neither a good camera nor a really idea how to build up the scene. Before I could make a second picture the butterfly flew away :-)
4. What equipment do you use?
I use the Canon 5D Mark IV and for pictures with such animals like ground squirrels a use the Canon EF 100-400 mm.
5. What do you hope to achieve?
That is indeed a very good question. I hope that my pictures are liked, but the most important is that I myself like my pictures. I want to get better and better and learn more how to make really good pictures :-)
6. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
That was the compliment of a well known photographer who watched one of my pictures and told me that he would try to place it in a contest. :-)
7. What inspires your unique storytelling?
I try to show the nature and the animals in it how it is. I don't cut out civilization marks like others do. I try to weave them in. They are there so why should I not show them. I love power poles for example. So whenever possible, I show the nature with them in it :-)
8. What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
1) Authentic
2) Nature
3) Creative
9. Congratulations! As the winner of the European Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
Thank you. I am very happy about it because it shows me that my pictures are good. ;-)
10. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 European Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
I entered this work because I really love this picture. I was lucky, that the seed flew away in this very moment. This picture is really cute and I thought "Perhaps the jury likes it too" ;-)
11. How has winning an award developed your career?
As I don't have a photo-career (actually, I study psychology :-)) I don't have a good answer to this
12. Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
1) Marc Graf
2) Heinz Hudelist
3) Robert Haasmann
13. What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
It is the sentence I mentioned answering the very first question ;-)
14. What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Also the sentence I mentioned answering the first question ;-)
Additionally my second "rule": "Always stay curious" :-)
15. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
My key to success is it to stay curious at all times and that a good picture has to be earnt ;-)
16. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
I use social media to look and watch what other photographers make. Much of it inspires me :-)
