Pawel Karpinski is a filmmaker, editor and trainer with many years of experience behind the lens. Formerly he ran his own automotive and lifestyle publishing house, then working with press agencies, behind the camera he dealt with journalistic issues and the creation of beauty, fashion & showbiz news. In the meantime, he set up his own training centre, where he taught others the profession of filmmaking and photography.
With the development of the Internet, he chose the path of creating videos and photos for the best medium, which is social media. He now creates footage and produces various live broadcasts for the internet. He most enjoys working for the medical industry, in which he is starting to specialise heavily. However, he doesn't shy away from peri-sport events and classic film forms, where quick framing decisions and working live and without doubles is crucial. Paul has been working with Focus Nordic for many years.
He has also been appointed the official brand ambassador of Hollyland Technology in Poland. During his work he often reaches for proven brands, of which Focus Nordic is a distributor. These include brands such as Samyang, Xeen, Tamron, Zhiyun,SmallRig, Nisi, B&W International,YoloLiv, Seetec, Feelworld, Sirui and several others.
Q&A
- How did you start with photo/video?
My adventure with recording began more than 30 years ago. Even as a child I recorded my first video. It was a film about a burning car, and the camera I used was an ISKRA 8mm. Then at the end of elementary school I recorded school videos with a VHS shoulder camera. Technology and my knowledge, which I acquired from very old books and typescripts about filming and video editing, was developing. As it is in youth, there was a bit of a break and then a return. The realization of photo and video material for my own editorial automotive newspaper and portal, then a fashion and showbiz-related portal. In the city where I live I also ran a local publication where the Internet was the primary place to publish news and information. Years later, I wanted to share my knowledge and launched the ABC of Filmmaking training center. Today I continue to teach, select equipment for beginners, do live broadcasts and produce video and photos for my clients for the Internet. - How would you describe your style?
In my opinion, classics will always survive fashion. I try as much as possible in my productions to play with the image: good composition, shot length, appropriate movement and editing. I want the image to defend itself even when the sound is turned off and the viewer to be able to understand everything from the shots, scenes and the way it is edited. Of course, I constantly follow fashion trends and where I can I allow myself to combine modernity with classics.
- What inspires you?
Definitely books...Then I can flip through the pages I read, creating my own image. In addition, I love to analyze films by watching just the image itself in silence. Camera movements, set design, lighting, acting, colors, editing.... - What is your dream shoot or project?
Currently, I would like to record a report on the work of people who are important to society and risk their lives to save others. I am talking here about firefighters.
- What is your best advice to others that want to develop as photographers?
Don't forget the classical approach to filmmaking. A good education, looking into the past, into old releases can help you greatly in your development. Treat your mind as a mine of shots called "Imagination" and your equipment as a tool for creation. Remember that it's not important what brush, pencil or color of chalk you paint your picture with, but what it represents....
What is in your bag?
- What is the most important in your bag?
It all depends on the project. Sometimes I take only a camera with a lens placed on a Zhiyun gimbal, and sometimes there is a lot of equipment. Nevertheless, I can't imagine a plan without Hollyland wireless transmission and microports, Fellworld and Seetec preview, SmallRig origination and lighting. For plans where I transmit live to the Internet I constantly use YoloLiv equipment. As for optics, I mostly use Samyang Xeen film lenses, using Nisi filters. During post-production it's already a bit lighter. I edit all the material on a Lenovo mobile platform in DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro. - What bag do you use?
I use B&W International's safety cases
Discover more about Paweł Karpiński:
Instagram: @pawelkarpinskilive
Facebook: Pawel Karpinski
YouTube: Pawel Karpinski LIVE
TikTok: @pawelkarpinskilive