Public Republic

Vanya Nikolaeva’s interview with Nikolaj Nikolov

Translated from Bulgarian by Velina Vateva

I came upon photography three years ago and we quickly became inseparable friends. I even think I am in love. I love photography because through it I can successfully express my thoughts, ideas and conceptions about life and, what is most important, can share them; besides, photography helps me to see, perceive, to differentiate between what is the essence and what is only skin-deep.
What brings pleasure is seizing the unique moment. However, the mission of the artist is to be understood by the observer, to make them ponder and feel emotion. Pleasure is the gift you are given in return when you have managed to fulfill this mission – this satisfies your desire to express yourself for the present moment and this desire is peculiar for all people who experience the joy of being a creator.

What gives you the greatest pleasure to photograph?

That which goes unnoticed most of the time by people who are not photographers.

I Waited for You on the Quay

Tom and Jerry

Touch

What would you compare photography to?

I would compare it to love.

Longing

To the Passed Childhood

Green green grass

How does the world look like through your lens?

More often romantic, sometimes there are shades of sadness in it.

Jeanny

He’s coming

The Town of Rising Ground in Different Colours

6:37am

Do your photos shelter a message?

Some of them shelter a message, and others, emotion.

Keep hoping – there is sense

They met accidentally… and rushed into life… There came also the sense… but love was already gone. And then… came the loneliness.
Story about…

The Nebula Cat Eye

Bittersweet memories

Is there a photographer you most admire?

I do not try to remember the names of world-famous photographers. I only remember their photography.

Different Generations, Different Notions

Steep Slope

What do you dream of?

I dream of changing the world.

Sunflowers

A Cat on a Tile

Nikolaj Nikolov is 19 years old. He lives in Sofia.