HYNEK HAMPL FEATURE
We spent a bit of time having a conversation with one of our friends in the Czech Republic, Hynek (@hynechek). We had a great time getting to know him and we think you’ll enjoy it just as much!
My name is Hynek Hampl and I'm from the Czech Republic. I currently live in a small city called Pribram and am studying at university in Prague. When I have free time I'm exploring and capturing nature in the cities of the Czech Republic or attending Instameets to meet new and inspiring people. I love photography, Instagram and the amazing community found in both.
How did you get in to photography?
I have been shooting pictures since I was a little child. First, with some plastic cheap film camera and then with some compact camera. But my passion for photography really started with the iPhone 4. This thing has an incredible camera and with the range of apps that are offered through the App Store it really is a killer combo. Shooting and editing photos have been my passion ever since. I've discovered a lot through my little journey with photography and I hope it will never end. The day without being able to shoot or edit at least one new photo is really an unfulfilled and boring day for me.
How long have you been on Instagram and what first attracted you to it?
I think about 3 years. But only in the last two years have I really been about photography. At first it was just a cool new way to share pictures with some nice filters and to look at what other people were sharing. So I thought, “Ok, I'll try it.” If I look back at it now It was pretty boring - until I found people doing some exploring, Instameets, Jumpstagrams and other things - that was a game changer for me.
How do you usually approach editing a photo?
In my early days I just used Snapseed and VSCO. But when Mextures was released, it changed my approach to editing photos. I'm not using Snapseed anymore. First, I edit a picture in Mextures where I usually add some layers and blend them properly (Forestry, May, Seaside and Winter Skies are my favorites), then I do some basic editing in the Adjustment tab and when I’m done I save the photo and finalize my edit in VSCO to add a filter for the tones. That being said, I used to do some heavy editing in Mextures and VSCO and I still like it, but nowadays I'm more into softer editing with both. But I still love how even this soft process of editing can rapidly change the mood of photos.
Do you feel like there’s anything unique that Mextures offers to your particular editing process?
For sure! With Mextures I can add amazing colors, textures, light leaks and other amazing effects thanks to the incredible variety of overlays. It might be overwhelming for the first time users, but If you take some time you'll learn how to beautifully craft your images in a way that you want them to look and feel. And the feel of each of my photos is an important part for me. I just love how you can add some more colors and some light effects to the photo. It’s like a tiny Photoshop in your hands! And thanks to formula sharing you are able to see how other people go about editing their photos and you can learn something from their process.
What are three of your favorite formulas that you’ve created within Mextures?
My own favorite formulas are Chasing Fog 1 (Formula Code - KCRBERA) which is the first fog themed formula that I created. Secondly, Chasing Fog 7 (Formula Code - TZSSBDR) - I have a lot of variations of this formula because I always love to experiment. The third would be Foggy Forests (Formula Code - CSFTAJR). I love that one!
Where do you draw your biggest inspiration from on Instagram?
That would be @_lukecotton, @finn, @blue.ridinghood and @bobbimac. But this is just the top four. I'm following so many inspiring people and always looking for explorers from all around the world on Instagram. How they shoot and how they edit their pictures of all the places on the planet, that's just an endless source of inspiration.
What would be your dream location to go shoot?
I don't have one. I have two. The first one is Yosemite National Park. I love it just from photos and videos I’ve seen. The nature is just insane - the fog, beautiful animals and more! And the second one (and more accessible) is Iceland. These are just two incredible places and real top spots I’d like to visit!
See more from Hynek on his Instagram feed @hynechek!