Distortions, Meditations, and the Real World

Photography By Nikoletta Varadi

Photographer Nikoletta Varadi opens up about seeing her emotions in photographs, living on the island of Tenerife, and approaching life in small steps.

Tenerife, Spain

What is your history as a photographer?

I was 10 years old when me and my friend got my family's camera and we shot a roll of film together. I just loved to make people pose and frame the joyful moments. The world of photography and imaging enchanted me and the excitement of having to wait days for the results. I think that's where it all started.

Later, on family vacations, I used to photograph parties and skateboarding friends in the park as a teenager. My love for photography has remained the same, and I wanted to know more about professional photography, but unfortunately what I studied at school didn’t satisfy my curiosity, so I decided to leave the school behind and instead I chose to go on my own way. I immersed myself into art history and photo history books and whenever I liked a technique or composition I tried them out.

Once someone told me that maybe my problem is that my soul is freer than the way I live. This sentence has opened my eyes and I have realized that the greatest freedom for me is to travel, meet new people, get to know other cultures and document them. My first destination was Barcelona, where I was enchanted by the world of street photography.

Later I took part in a workshop which was held by a Hungarian photographer and he made me aware that photography was more than a passion for me and then I decided that I wanted to live in Spain and work as a photographer.

How would you describe your style? What makes it different and unique?

I can't really define my style. I think I am constantly changing, and if I labelled myself I would limit my own development. I just frame my current emotions. Maybe one thing has remained the same since I was a child. I tend to crouch over puddles and look for reflections on every surface. Many times I think that distortions caused by reflections are the real world, which only sometimes reveals itself and the world we relate to is actually distorted. I like to approach things differently.

Since you first started as a photographer, how have you grown? What have you learned about yourself as an artist?

I had to realize that I express my feelings subconsciously through my photos, so I have to take photos even if all the inspiration goes away or if things don't work. If I look back at those photos later, I can always see my own struggles and efforts in them and I just realize that I only had problems with myself while taking those photos, and they are not that bad at all. I have always used photography as a kind of meditation. It is the best thing when I grab my camera go for a walk so that I can empty my mind. Photography has definitely taught me how to open up to the world, how to get in touch with strangers, and finally how I can do anything for a photo, like climbing through barbed wire fences, lying to a police officer to get into a restricted area. This is when I feel like the world is mine and nothing can stop me from capturing it. I also learned that if I listen to my intuitions I can end up at places where there is something miraculous. In the beginning, I used to look for events and happenings, but by now it has become clear to me that I am looking for geometry and I follow my emotions in photography.

What's the story behind one of your images?

I took the picture on a Fuerteventura trip in René Egli. I photographed the colored kitesurfs lying on the white sand, but I wasn’t happy with the result. I just looked up and shot this picture without any thinking. I love this photo because for me it embodies the absolute freedom.

You lived on the island of Tenerife for 4 years. What was it like living there? How did the island influence your photography?

The island and the ocean has taught me to slow down, turn inward and return back to the nature. As a result, I have rediscovered myself. Tenerife has changed a lot on my visual world and, of course, I myself have changed too. Before Tenerife, I was always inspired by big cities and the feeling of always being on the move and being everywhere. Now I prefer to let things naturally happen and I observe them. I have also learned to value and enjoy the simple moments.

You had to move back to Hungary because of the pandemic. How did this change impact your work?

I experienced this relocation as a new opportunity that my development probably needed. I spent many years away from my home country. Now I need a recharge from my roots. Lately, I have been visiting Hungary's natural treasures and I have been exploring the areas of Hungarian culture that I haven't been interested in before. I have also been visiting those villages that have been unknown to me so far. Besides, I have started to make experiments with an old photographic procedure with cyanotype and polaroid images.

What are the top 3 places you would like to travel to and photograph?

I would like to travel around Mexico, surf in Playa Santa Teresa, Costa Rica and get lost in Indonesia.

What's next for you?

I have always had big plans, but the current pandemic situation has taught me to think in small steps. Right now, I'm doing my drivers license, so that I can buy a van which will give me more freedom in both travelling and photography. I wish to live by the ocean or sea, but currently, I am not planning anything. I'll wait and see what opportunities life has to offer. It may take me some time and I maybe following a devious route, but I strongly believe that I'll be moving back to the Canary Islands one day because I really feel at home there.