03.02.2021, 16:06   #1

Smartphotographer

hello there....

Even a blind hen occasionally finds a grain... :-)
...I don’t like talking about “myself”... but I’m going to do it anyway.
My name is Helmut Wachtarczyk, and I’ve had a very, very, very close relationship with my cameras for about 15 years now. Even as a child, a teacher noticed there was something different about this little boy named Helmut. She called my parents in to tell them that I didn’t belong in the secondary school and believed I should be sent to a boarding school for gifted kids—specifically for creatives. However, I was physically and mentally abused at preschool age. This happened in a program for children whose development didn’t follow the usual negative norms. The reason was my small stature (of course, my mom is 5'2" and my dad 5'4", so it was clear I wouldn’t shoot up like the others). My parents told this “exceptional teacher” that it was up to me to decide. And I decided: I never wanted to be separated from my protective parents, never. So I stayed at the school. But during puberty, exactly what the teacher feared happened—a rebellious teenager searching for himself, dissatisfied, restless, constantly seeking self-affirmation... It was a tough time, especially for my beloved parents, but they stood by me like a rock, no matter what trouble I got into. Late puberty followed, and then a complete halt... at 22, things started to change... I played in several bands for 8 years and composed many pieces of music, but over time it became clear to me that my bandmates weren’t on my level. They dreamed of gigs, record deals, and all that came with it, while I wanted to satisfy my urge for my OWN art. After one show, a record producer approached us with a contract offer... I was torn and told the two of them I needed time to think, fully aware that the band’s goal was exactly that. Did I want to go from gig to gig? Be tied to contracts and become their slave? Possibly sacrificing my private life? What if we became successful and everyone knew us... and what about the dreamers in the band who only cared about popularity? NO... NO... NO... I declined at the next meeting and left the band.
So there I was... no OWN works... over... done... finished... or???

Then I turned to painting and sculpture... that drives you crazy... you’re always alone and start talking to yourself... nooooooo, that’s not for me.

My then partner, Somyot, was snapping photos with a rather basic camera—mostly poor quality, but he enjoyed it. I thought: It’s cool if we both share the same “hobby,” so I researched which camera would be suitable. That was around 2006. I bought two Sony R1s, probably the best bridge cameras at the time—one for Somyot and one for me.
But I approached it very differently than Somyot. My view was: The camera has to be a part of me; it has to do what I want, not the other way around. So it was all about technique, technique, technique (automatic modes were NEVER an option for me—I still don’t know how they work).

And that was also when I started joining communities. I signed up for Chip-Fotowelt. I was a complete beginner and wanted to learn, learn, and learn some more. That site had some “exceptional photographers,” though most specialized in just one category like nature, landscapes, long exposures, etc., but they were really good at it. I kept encouraging members to help me, to truly critique my photos, to offer solutions—over and over—but I was mostly just laughed at. Only a few lent me a hand. Then suddenly, BOOM... almost overnight, the “photo artist” Helmut Wachtarczyk was born. I started playing both sides and also joined Fotocommunity. I didn’t notice the change myself, but others did—and they made sure I felt it. Suddenly, I was avoided, insulted, threatened, ostracized, reported... people tried to get rid of me on Chip-Fotowelt, even the admins didn’t want me.
And Fotocommunity? They ignored me, and I don’t do “tug-of-war.” I DON’T COMMENT BECAUSE OTHERS WANT ME TO—I COMMENT WHEN I WANT TO...!!!!!!

Then a new community appeared, “Fotoschwarm,” also with contests similar to here. I joined, along with some members from Chip-Fotowelt (which closed down after a while). I participated in contests and won repeatedly... and it started all over again... I faced hatred, which the admins noticed. But these admins had a different philosophy—they were PROUD of their exceptional photographers. Still, whenever I posted something, I was put down. I got involved with FOTOSCHWARM, created tutorial videos for members, and the admins made me an admin to stop the bashing... but it didn’t stop (it was always the wannabe photographers who couldn’t get it together). I left Fotoschwarm (which no longer exists today).

After persistent urging from some critics, I entered the “Germany’s Best Photographer” contest—and promptly won first prize in the People category. Well, even a blind chicken finds a grain sometimes, I thought...
But my few critics didn’t give up and practically forced me to enter INTERNATIONAL contests... and in 2011, I did it for the first time—not because I believed in it, but because I was fed up with the critics and wanted to prove them wrong...

My first submission was to the WPO... INTERNATIONAL... and was awarded in the Travel category: 8 of my photos toured exhibitions worldwide... even a blind chicken finds a grain.

Then I reached for the stars and entered the world’s biggest photo art competition, the Trierenberg Super Circuit... https://www.photocontest.at/.
Results: 2 Golds, 1 Silver... still thinking, even a blind chicken finds a grain.

Next came the Altani Grand Prix... the World Championship... main category “Emotions and Passions”... I won the Grand Prix with my photo “Anger” from the series “Satire of Christianity”... phew... The head of the Trierenberg Super Circuit, Dr. Chris Hinterobermaier, was also chairman there, and during my 5-day stay in Qatar, he gave me a serious talking-to... no, I’m not a blind chicken... he said: “Helmut, we will see each other again and again. You’re one of those for whom a creative, outstanding photo is no accident... we will keep seeing each other...” He was right... These wins were just the beginning... many, many international awards followed... multiple Grand Prix wins... runner-ups... and more...

Then suddenly, Fotocommunity started boasting about me... they wanted to exploit me... those??? The ones who ignored me all along??? No way. I immediately forbade it and refused to let them use me for their glory.

Well, it’s nice to win some international awards, but is that the goal??? That question occupied me for a long time... OK, entering a less conservative international contest now and then is nice... and winning is too, but what about everything in between??? And there’s a lot in between.

A few months ago, I joined some Facebook groups... it only took two days before the insults, harassment, threats, and mockery started... nothing had changed... I left shortly after.

Then, a while ago, I googled for communities—preferably German-speaking... (by the way, I’m still obligatorily on YouPic—upload briefly, then gone, no comments, peace)... and I found Photocentra and Photoclub. I signed up for both... at Photocentra, I was reprimanded quickly with arrogance and stupidity... they love deleting posts and act very important... user behavior was similar to other communities... so I gave up.

Photoclub was completely different: From the start, very friendly, with some users who offer thoughtful comments... members who wanted the same as I did back then—learn, learn... enjoy great photos and even more so when fellow photo friends improve... From the first moment, I felt at home here... and I hope I’ve found my photographic home again.

I’m happy to share my knowledge with others in categories like portrait, people, street photography, product photography, nudes, landscapes, macro, architecture, long exposure, and much more... what I don’t want or can’t do: high-speed photography, drone photography...

Unfortunately—or fortunately—I have no clue about Lightroom, GIMP, or whatever else is out there... I work with Photoshop CC and various plugins like Nik Collection, Topaz, Skylum, Akvis, Franzis, etc... I process RAW files with SilkypixPRO8...

So, that’s roughly everything I have to share about myself; more will unfold over time... and we should think about how to make PHOTOCLUB more popular... maybe we should start a new thread for that...

Warmest regards, Helmut Wachtarczyk (Somyot) ........ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtiuyqBXMh4
03.02.2021, 17:56   #2

Hobbyfotograf

That really takes some time to process. Simply wow.
A mindset you have to seek out, not something you find right away.
I'm genuinely glad you ended up here.
I visited your website once, and it’s really impressive.
Your photos are truly something special, different, and unique.
I’m a bit like you—I do my own thing. While others my age are retiring, I’m busy building a new company exactly the way I want.
No one really gets it, but it brings me joy.
So, I’m already looking forward to your next creations.
Best, Andreas
03.02.2021, 18:32   #3

Smartphotographer

@Andreas Bibas Thank you... by the way, you’re one of the people who immediately stood out to me in a positive way... and a self-employed man or woman is never too old to be independent, because people have always been that way before...

I have thousands of "works" ... and as you can clearly see, I plan to stick around here for the time being (and that “time being” could be quite a long one)... so you, along with many other members of Photoclub, will likely have to put up with me...

Many thanks... Helmut  
03.02.2021, 19:58   #4

Hobbyfotograf

Hello Helmut, 

First of all, thank you so much for your very open and heartfelt words with which you introduced yourself in this group. It’s rare—if not unheard of—that I’ve read such a direct and emotional self-description.
I’m truly impressed by that, and of course by your photos, which are so completely different from what you usually see. Naturally, I also visited your website and was absolutely amazed. You photograph in a way I wish I could.
Unfortunately, I lack the imagination and creativity to bring that to life myself, but maybe your images will give me the spark or inspiration I need. I already follow two or three photographers in the large fc community who are absolute role models for me, and now I’m excited to see more of your work.
It’s really wonderful that you found your way here. I’m a newcomer to this community as well, and so far I’m having a great time.
I’m looking forward to what’s still to come.
  Best regards, W. Philipp    
03.02.2021, 20:07   #5

Smartphotographer

@W. Philipp Yes, creatives are also the sensitive ones... it’s just the way it is... and I don’t want the same thing to happen to you that happened to me. I think it’s always so clear to see how NOT to do things.

Gently nudging others to bring out their inner creative self is one of my goals, so I’m happy to offer advice and support... and I still appreciate every respectful critique. It seems to me that the word RESPECT still holds meaning here... I’m quite pleasantly surprised by that...
 
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