Bio

I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria on January 18, 1974.

Until age of 5 I used to draw using pastels, pens, pencils. I was enjoying doing that until I turned 6 years old when I suddenly stopped.

My favorite colors are green, orange, yellow, blue, khaki, grey, pastel colors as well. My favorite animal is an elephant, which is a strong huge and wise animal.

I started photographing at age of 25 with a small and cheap digital camera with no manual settings. I was a beginner and I would shoot everything I would consider as an interesting subject to me. After 2-3 years I bought nice digital camera with advanced settings and controls so I started shooting extensively. The next year I bought a film camera (manual Rolleiflex SL-35M) that I used exclusively to shoot black & white films.

I was searching, I was observing. I search and observe. I'm in a constant search for the style, for the simplicity, for the emotion, for the feeling, for the impact in the scenes, which I'm seeing and going to photograph eventualy.

I think of the photography as a way of seeing and feeling the world around, a way of thinking, a way of expressing thoughts, feelings, a way of saying something, which I want to say to the world, to the people; a way of provoking thoughts, emotions, feelings, and reactions in the spectator.

I enjoy photographing people, the real life as it is going on. I adore photographing without asking a permission because the unique moment is gone forever. Some of my works are conceptual. I like to express my perception of life in a different, provocative way.

I like using the cross process techniques. Their colors seem to convey unusual approach to the spectators.

I enjoy emotive, meaningful photos that make me rediscover and rethink of the usual surroundings in a new way.

I consider myself as a visual, observant person.

I like to photograph and travel, to explore and observe.

The limitations of photography are in yourself, for what we see is only what we are, Ernst Haas, one of my favorite photographers.

Exhibitions and activities

10 July, 2006
Sofia, Bulgaria
National Geographic Bulgaria, Internation Photographic Contest 2006 Exhibition
Category: People

07 July, 2006
Varna, Bulgaria
National Photographic Salon Varna Exhibition
Category: Monochrome, Computer manipulated photography

06 Jun - 11 Jun, 2006
Sofia, Bulgaria
Photo Forum Fourtheen Exhibition

30 May 2006
Sofia, Bulgaria
Digital Photo Video Magazine 03.2006 publication in the Experimental Photography article

30 May 2006
Sofia, Bulgaria
Annual Photography Review Exhibition Academica 2006

15 May 2006
Sofia, Bulgaria
Pantene Beauty Awards 2005 Photoreporter (shots for PR Agency United Partners)

14 Feb - 28 Feb 2006
Sofia, Bulgaria
Portray Love Exhibition, Museum Of Love, Central Department Store

06 Feb - 28 Feb 2006
Sofia, Bulgaria
Art Gallery Paris Exhibition Experiment

30 May 2005
Sofia, Bulgaria
Annual Photography Review Exhibition Academica 2005

27 Apr 2005
Sofia, Bulgaria
Pantene Beauty Awards 2004 Photoreporter (shots for PR Agency United Partners)

15 Feb - 4 Mar 2005
Sofia, Bulgaria
Art Gallery Paris Exhibition Naked Body

11 Mar - 14 Mar 2005
Sofia, Bulgaria
Photo Forum Contest My World

02 Feb - 14 Feb 2005
Sofia, Bulgaria
Art Gallery Paris Exhibition Among Other Things

25 Nov - 29 Nov, 2004
Sofia, Bulgaria
Photo Forum Contest Everything Is Love

28 Aug - 3 Sep, 2004
Lozenetz Village, Bulgaria
Fotofiesta Digital Photography Award Winner

8 July - July 11, 2004
Sofia, Bulgaria
Photo Forum Contest A Moment Of Life

May 2004
Sofia, Bulgaria
Product and model photo session for BijouBra

12 May 2004
Sofia, Bulgaria
Pantene Beauty Awards 2003 Photographer (shots for PR Agency United Partners)

12 Nov - 15 Nov, 2003
Sofia, Bulgaria
Photo Forum Fourth Exhibition

Copyright © 2002-2006, Vasil Tonev. All Rights Reserved.