Lover of the Light is a series of three self-portraits by photographer/writer Dilan Tas from Turkey. We caught up with the photographer to chat about her latest work and her approach to photography.
How did you get into photography?
I was painting and drawing a lot but I kind of felt like I needed something new to express myself. It took quite some time until I was ready to show my works though. Photography was just a way to deal with my “inner demons” and sometimes also to cry in silence.
What is the series Lover of the Light about?
Lover of the Light was my first series. These three self-portraits were the first photos I showed to public. It’s the beginning of a new chapter, my love story with light and myself.
What is it like being a creative / photographer for you?
Unlike me, my parents are not really interested in art. So being a creative was not and still is not easy for me as my mother and my father see these things in another way than I do and they struggle to understand my work. I think lots of artists are in the same situation and you know what they say, “A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved”. I think it has become much more difficult being a photographer these days. There are lots of similar works and so much things that distract you from finding your own style. It’s important to keep the passion and not forget to enjoy what you’re doing.
When scrolling through your Instagram (and reading your photo’s captions), one will quickly see that you are not only a photographer but also have a knack for writing. How do you come up with these little poems / texts? What moves you to create?
Words and poetry are my passion. I love writing. I never really planned to connect my photography with poetry, it just happened and people liked it.
Are there any goals you would like to achieve in the near future?
Not really. I just want to keep on doing what I do and see where it will take me. My goal is to be happy, read more, write more, inspire people and get inspired.
Check out Tas’ website and follow her on IG and FB.
