From Ordinary to Extraordinary: A Student’s Journey in Captivating Photography
From Ordinary to Extraordinary: A Student’s Journey in Captivating Photography
Veronika Kuleshkova, a Belarusian student, has a unique talent for transforming ordinary subjects into extraordinary works of art through her lens. Her photographs of lake ripples, hills at sunset, and even household items are breathtakingly beautiful. Despite being a student, Veronika is already a recognized artist, with her work featured in personal exhibitions. She recently won first prize in the photography category at the “Fashion Mill” competition.
The Art of Spontaneity
Veronika’s life seems to be in constant motion, filled with travel and improvisation. She explores Belarus on foot, capturing stunning images and often creating impromptu masterpieces. Her winning entry at the “Fashion Mill” competition was one such spontaneous creation, made using a Huawei smartphone.
Today, we invited her to try out the new Huawei nova 8i, a stylish gadget designed to bring bold ideas to life. As Veronika captured her shots, we discussed her secrets to creating mesmerizing photo sets and the Belarusian interest in photography as an art form.
“We Prepared the Images Almost Until Morning”
Veronika considers her shoot at the Braslav Lakes, which won her a diploma at the “Fashion Mill,” as one of the best moments of her life. She believes that her dream, her team, and a certain risk contributed to her victory.
“The project ‘Clear Aura’ was born from a long-standing idea. Even before I knew I had made it to the finals, my classmates and I planned to shoot in Braslav just for fun. But these plans kept getting postponed. Then I found out that the competition was about preserving natural resources…”
Veronika was thrilled. She realized that her long-held desire to create a project about the lakes would finally come true. The competition required participants to shoot using a Huawei smartphone. She admits to being nervous during the preparation but tried to enjoy the process rather than focus on the result.
She was particularly anxious on the day of the shoot when she and her team prepared the images almost until morning. They did each other’s makeup, organized the shooting process, and, most importantly, ensured the phone remained safe. Fortunately, everything went well. Even the weather cooperated, with the sun shining instead of the forecasted rain.
Veronika loved shooting with the phone, praising its quality. Later, when she saw her competitors’ work, she even doubted whether some were shot with a professional camera. She decided to change the shooting concept at the last moment, replacing dark images with softer ones. She doesn’t regret taking that risk. The snow, sand, and her signature violet cloaks became the highlights of the project.
“Every New Year, Something Happens to Me”
Recently, Veronika held an exhibition in Vitebsk, presenting an interesting photo set about water and resource conservation. We asked her why her work often focuses on nature.
“I’ve always been drawn to environmental issues. I grew up spending time in picturesque places, photographing, filming, and enjoying nature. It’s painful to see people leaving trash like plastic bags and bottles on the shores after their gatherings. I can’t say I’m a fervent green activist, but… I might become one soon (laughs).”
Veronika’s love for nature is evident in her Instagram account, filled with photo reports from her challenging trips across Belarus. She believes these “expeditions” are her source of inspiration.
“Being on the road is a source of inspiration. Every year, something new happens to me, be it the ‘Soligorsk Terricons,’ or the ‘Krichev Maldives,’ or the ‘White Mountains’ in Gomel. As I said, one of the most soulful places I’ve visited is Braslav.”
These trips help broaden her horizons and provide energy. The uncertainty of how to reach the destination or return, or whether the weather will cooperate, is exhilarating. Therefore, traveling is another way for her to live fully, not just exist.
“A Plan Emerged: Combining Creativity with Digital Technology”
After the Braslav photo shoot, Veronika became interested in digital technologies and the new possibilities they offer photographers.
“After the photo session, there was a kind of emptiness. Just recently, there was rush, movement, ‘mission,’ and suddenly it was all over. But I’m not used to sitting still. I decided to continue that experience of creating photos using digital technology. I found programs and started learning from scratch. After a month or two, a clear plan emerged: to combine creativity with technology. And things started happening. Of course, there were failures and moments when I wanted to quit. I created an Instagram account to upload my work.”
If you want to try photography, Veronika advises choosing an authentic direction, which is currently trending.
“Such photos are the complete opposite of overly staged and embellished images. Some photographers try to create deliberately blurred shots, as if by accident. Or they focus on the effect of surprise. I think it’s great. I also believe that conceptual, street photography, aerial photography, and black-and-white photos are still relevant.”
“I Always Enjoyed ‘Cooking Up Creative Ideas'”
Veronika believes that you don’t have to dream of becoming a designer or photographer from an early age. However, an interest in creative experiments is essential.
“My story, for example, started simply. Friends asked me to ‘take a picture with the camera.’ Gradually, I realized that photography genuinely interested me. I took many photos before entering university to overcome my anxiety.”
“As far as I remember, I always enjoyed ‘cooking up some creative ideas,’ coming up with something using dyes. My mom still can’t wash off the mascara in the bathroom after one of my creative experiments (laughs).”
Finally, we asked Veronika if Belarusians are interested in innovative art and willing to spend money on such art objects.
“I tried selling my work. In my third year, within the walls of my university, I held my first personal exhibition, ‘Water’s Memory,’ where I presented six author’s prints printed on plastic. All, except one that I gave to my mom, were sold. Sometimes, teachers buy students’ work. And that’s great: the students feel in demand. So, even a young author can make a statement; there is a certain interest. The main thing is not to be afraid but to express yourself.”
