Nemanja Sekulic is a photographer, Digital artist, and Educator who creates dynamic conceptual imagery. In his own words, Nemanja says, “I’ve always been interested in magic and science fiction, the reality is only for those with no imagination. With my work, I try to reflect the idea of everything being possible, the ideal concept of no restraints. What I love more than anything is the reaction of those I show how it was done. We never outgrow our childlike ability to be amazed. At least I know I haven’t.”
DIYP: Tell us a little of how you got into photography, and who your influences are.
NS: Everything started 18 years ago, on my 20. birthday. I got my first Photoshop as a present and started to play with it. A few weeks later, I created my first photo manipulation. Using scans from magazines and one photo of my father, I did my first composite of my father standing on a mountain close to the fire with some riffle in his hand. For me, it was mind-blowing, and in reality, it was very bad. Later I realized that I don’t want to use scans from magazines, rather I want to shoot my own photos for a project. So I got my first digital camera, and the fun started.
At that time I didn’t have any influencers. Just digging on my own trough photography/Photoshop world.
DIYP: Your body of work has amazing diversity, from superhero manipulations to moody portraits…which style do you prefer the most?
NS: I think it is not about the style, it is more about the story and humor. I love to create some not so realistic situations, that tells a story with a little bit of humor. But lately, I’m more into some darker superhero like images.
DIYP: With such varied work do you find it easier, or harder to get clients?
NS: It is very interesting that most of my clients find me just because of that variety of a work, but then they decide for more “normal”, everyday images, manipulations etc… more commercial stuff.
DIYP: For anyone starting out with the desire to create images like yourself, what advice would you give them about finding inspiration?
NS: Inspiration can be found everywhere around us. I find inspiration in the books, movies, TV series and everyday situations. Sometimes I just take some everyday situation and start thinking about how to make it funnier.
DIYP: How important is Photoshop in your workflow, would you be able to create your images without it?
NS: Photoshop is my main tool. Place where I combine everything together. I can’t imagine my work without it. Especially in this digital era. Photo manipulations existed long before Photoshop. There were special techniques in a film photography to combine multiple images together. But today, when I’m using a lot of 3D elements, photos and hand drawn elements, can’t imagine my life without it.
DIYP: You also have your own youtube channel teaching various Photoshop techniques. Do you see yourself focusing more on being an educator in the future?
NS: Yes, I love to teach people Photoshop, and love to see them becoming better and better. I host few workshops in the past, and I would love to have an opportunity to do it in the future too.
Green Lantern VS Sinestro
DIYP: Out of all your projects, which had the most impact on your life?
NS: Well, definitely my first photo manipulation. When I realized that everything you can imagine can be created. Besides that, because of this photo (https://nemanjasekulic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Oluja.jpg) I started photography/photo manipulation as a full-time job.
DIYP: If you were only allowed to give one essential piece of advice to a beginner, what would it be?
NS: Have fun!
DIYP: What cool projects do you have lined up for 2018.
NS: For 2018. I planned to create some premium photo manipulation tutorial, to go more in depth than I do it on my YouTube channel. I have few interesting work for a clients aviating. It will be fun.
DIYP: Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years time?
NS: I would love to travel the world and educate others to master a Photoshop and photo manipulations. To host some great workshops, to teach how to implement 3D into compositing etc.
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