Erik Tomašák

They say there's nothing better than fresh powder, but when keen snowboarder and Canon Ambassador Erik Tomašák isn't hitting the slopes himself, he's capturing others in their element. "I just love what I do," the Slovakian commercial, portrait and sports photographer says. "Don't be afraid. That's one of the main lessons I live my life by."

Having built a solid reputation for producing dynamic images, often charged with an almost tangible energy courtesy of his experiments with light, Erik has produced visuals for a multitude of international and local brands. These include household names such as adidas, CTM Bikes, Monster Energy and Faction.

Although now based in Bratislava, Slovakia, Erik was born in a small village near Martin, a city nestled between mountains in the country's north. After high school, he moved to nearby Žilina for university, before putting down roots in the capital. "Without question, Žilina and Martin helped to form my love of sport photography," Erik explains. "It was here that I started my snowboard career. Judging competitions followed, as did my interest in shooting action sports, not just snowboarding but skateboarding too."

Erik landed his big break during these years of study. "The moment I felt like my career was beginning was when I got the contract with Monster Energy," he says. "It happened almost exactly a year to the day from when I got my first DSLR, a Canon EOS 7D (now succeeded by the Canon EOS 7D Mark II). That was in my second year of university. I was shooting mostly sports and events back then."

Life in Bratislava after university opened Erik's eyes to greater possibilities, and it was here that he made a move into commercial photography. "It was around this time that I produced images for several exhibitions held throughout Slovakia and the Czech Republic," he says. "That was a huge achievement for me."

A change of genre wasn't the only thing Erik began experimenting with. "The external flash really did help me to shine my way to where I am today. I started to learn more after university," he explains. "Step by step, I discovered something new from each and every project, from the small ones at the start right the way through to the big clients we shoot for today."

What are your top tips for capturing subjects within your favourite genres?

"Shoot until you get the perfect shot and then change the perspective. Combine different settings and lights if possible."



Why did you choose to form a collective?

"If I hadn't, there would be nobody to listen to my amazing jokes or for me to boss around! I definitely recommend it for other photographers and video artists."



How much retouching do you do?

"To be honest, not a great deal because I live by the idea that you should shoot as if post-processing never existed."



Is there a tool you wouldn't be without?

"For me, I'd have to say the control ring Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. It is such a smart and helpful device that I think a lot of photographers overlook. It's easier and faster to set up your camera with a control ring. What's more, it also means your EF or old analog lenses are still in the game. What's not to love?"



What advice would you offer a photographer hoping to break into the industry?

"Be in the right place at the right time with a good camera, the right lens and the right settings. Then all you can do is your best. Also sleep well and don't be afraid."

Erik Tomašák

"The most valuable lesson I learnt during my career to date has been the importance of not getting stuck at a certain level. What I mean by that is, once you feel you have mastered a certain level of something within your field, it is easy to stay at that level you have achieved. It's comfortable. But that's where people go wrong. At that point, it's important to realise that success is temporary and you have to be always moving forward. Don't get stuck!"

Instagram: @erikTomašák

Website: www.visualgang.sk

500px: Erik Tomašák