Sometimes peace can be found in the most unexpected places. For Visnja Sabo, it was behind the lens. It is not without a sense of irony that Visnja would discover a way to reconnect with people and with herself. While it may seem as though peering through a camera introduces a degree of separation between the photographer and the subject, the reality is in fact quite the opposite. The lens helps to create objectivity in how we perceive what we see. This can slow you down and help you step outside of your own inner noise. By placing the camera between you and your subjects, it can inadvertently generate a deeper connection.
“Before joining the Academy, I was going through a difficult period in my life. I struggled with my mental health and often felt lost, unsure of my direction. Photography has become a quiet refuge for me. Through the lens, I found a way to slow down, observe the world more carefully, and express emotions that were hard to put into words. Picking up the camera gave me a sense of purpose and helped me reconnect with myself and the people around me. What began as a personal escape turned into a passion and a path forward.”
Know your Tools
Arriving at a photography course usually means you already have a curious mind and are looking for a creative outlet, but if you don’t understand your tools, you may struggle to express what you want to say. For professional photographers, the camera is like an appendage, an extension of their very self and the eye through which they observe the world. Learning the manual aspect of using a camera can be daunting at first, it’s a complex machine, but it’s also intuitive and will eventually serve to enhance your way of seeing.
Visnja has had a mild fascination with photography since childhood and while it is a global phenomenon and a part of daily life for many, what separates good photography from great photography is a certain set of skills.
“One of the most challenging parts was learning to fully understand manual camera settings. It requires practice and patience, especially when trying to control exposure in different lighting conditions.”
But those skills are only useful when the creative self is utilising them. Students are encouraged to think like an artist.
“The Academy encourages students to explore different genres to discover their own artistic voice. Another very interesting aspect was receiving detailed feedback from tutors.”
The guidance of a Tutor
And this is where guidance lives. The Academy offers online courses but there are humans behind every assignment and every lesson. The guidance of practicing professionals who have a passion for their craft can bring a sense of direction to a student and truly help them see their path.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the level of tutor support through the course. The tutors were always approachable and willing to help. Their feedback was not only constructive but also very specific, helping me clearly understand what worked in my photographs and what I can improve. Anthony Griffin in particular has gone the extra mile in answering my endless questions helping me develop a deeper understanding.”
Sometimes when a creative person finds themself on their learning path, it can take a little time for their confidence to catch up with their talent. An artist is almost never truly happy with a finished piece, and it seems like the destiny of the creative to be forever frustrated with their work. But that doesn’t mean that the work is not good, or even sometimes great.
“Studying photography at the Academy allowed me to transform those difficult experiences into something meaningful, shaping the way I see and document the world today.”
Already published: 100 Artists of Europe
Visnja has not yet completed her studies but has a piece of work in print for all the world to see. All it took was a gentle nudge from a supportive loved one. She came across an open call for “100 Artists of Europe” but the application process became so overwhelming that she was losing faith. It would be her boyfriend who got the entry across the line and lo & behold, her photograph was selected. With a legacy photograph already in the bag, Visnja is clearly on an upward trajectory.
“My partner Eamonn saw how overwhelmed I was by the process and undertook it upon himself to select and enter one of my photographs, which happens to be one of my assignments for the Academy. You can only imagine my surprise when I saw an email stating that I was selected for this year's publication. This just motivated me even more to assert myself as a photographer.”
And on her visual journey goes.
“All that I'm certain of is that the courses I'm doing are the pure foundation in this chapter of my life as a photographer.”
