MEXTURES SHORT: DUSAN TRAJKOVIC
For a truly fascinating glimpse into double exposures we turn to the work of Dusan Trajkovic (@_dusann). The imagery that Dusan creates is both complex and gorgeous, overflowing with color and teeming with intensity. After following his work on Instagram and being greatly intrigued by his innovative designs we felt the need to explore his creations more thoroughly. Find out what we found out by reading on!
Hi there! My name is Dusan Trajkovic. I'm 21 years old and I live in Nis, Serbia.
In my spare time I like to mess with my creativity and create some weird photos. I get inspiration from various stuff such as movies, video games, and from some amazing artists I follow on Instagram.
My editing hour usually begins with a nice cup of coffee and some nice ambient music.
My favorite kind of edits are double exposures but there are times when I'm up for some cool sci-fi or fantasy landscapes. It is really fun and and all it takes is a bit of imagination.
Editing these types of images is one of my hobbies. Usually I try to make pictures every day and I really enjoy doing it. It is something that I definitely plan to do for a long time since it is really fun for me.
I'm hoping that one day I will be able to draw my own original work because I think that then I'll be able to show people my crazy passion for art.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET IN TO DESIGN WORK?
I started doing double exposures on my Instagram page, but way after I got on Instagram. I have been on Instagram since 2012, but my first double exposure was done in late 2015.
I didn't have a camera to capture my own stuff in high quality, so I found some amazing websites (Unsplash, Pixabay, Pexels) that allow you to download their photos and use them for various things. The first picture I made looked very beginner-ish, but it was featured on a few feature pages and it felt good. From that moment I knew it would be a good idea to go on with this kind of style. And it has paid off. After a while one of my images was featured on RSAGraphics (now known as @thegraphicspr0ject) and it immediately brought me a new audience.
From there I found out about Mextures. I read the reviews, bought the app and started using it on every image.
To me filters are very important. They give the finishing touch that your photo needs and the end result is always so satisfying. It took a lot of practice at the beginning of course, just trying to adjust the tones on each image. The same goes for double exposures. At first it took me an hour to finish a simple double exposure and now it takes about 15 minutes. Everything I make comes from my iPhone 6 and Photoshop.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
My style usually involves a blend of two or more images. As you know, double exposures are my favorite types of edits. I usually stick with portrait and forest photos. I guess double exposures always have that sense of story to me.
Besides that I like to experiment with surreal landscapes. They usually consist of some fantasy or space stuff, wide open terrains, planets, stars, dragons, etc.
IS THERE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU HOPE TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH YOUR WORK?
When it comes to editing I would say that I like to think outside of the normal approach. I love creating photos and it has always been a way for me to be different. To be in a different place for a short time - a place where you can use your imagination, express your feelings, and then turn them into beautiful images. It's more like an escape from reality and it feels good. And I do think that it can resonate with people in various ways because everyone has their own interpretation.
WHAT ADVICE OR EXPERIENCE HAS INFLUENCED YOU MOST?
I have many inspirational sources. Everyday I try something new; new techniques, weird styles, whatever. I guess I could say that music is my primary influence. Whether it be the lyrics or the music itself, it's constantly inspiring. Sometimes I even name pictures after a song. Movies and video games are also things that can set off my creative side. But I'd have to say that Instagram itself is inspiring since I've met a lot of beautiful people who create similar work.
WHAT DOES YOUR EDITING PROCESS TEND TO LOOK LIKE?
It's actually kinda simple. First, I search for images on Unsplash or Pixabay. Then I transfer them to my phone. From there I use the Enlight app. Here I tweak the lighting and do the blending and cutting. Once I'm done with that I go to Mextures. From there I would experiment with different overlays, though I use the Landscape Enhance pack the most. Then comes the film preset, exposure, saturation and fade until I get the desired effect. It is often my final touch to most of my photos. Sometimes I will use my saved formulas or formulas I've imported from various artists, but nothing is better than creating a whole new look for a specific image.
WOULD YOU MIND SHARING A FEW OF YOUR MEXTURES FORMULAS?
MYSTIC - HUMVUVT - This one gives a warm feel to the photo and contrast in environments with trees.
TWISTER - BXXETNX - This one is used to add more of a stormy feeling while also brightening the image.
DUST - CPXWMAX - The name speaks for itself. It makes the environment more orange and a little green-ish. I use it mostly for landscape photos.
WINTER - CBKPEUA - This one adds grain to mimic the cold and makes the image more mysterious.
DOUBLE - DELJDGL - This is one of my favorites. It adds a green tint and I use it for double exposures.
WHY IS CREATING IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Creating is important to me because it serves as an escape from reality from time to time. It helps me by taking my mind somewhere else and allowing me just to be in that moment. Focusing on finding the perfect combination of pictures feels like meditation - a place to relax. It is a way for me to be different as well. I think everyone should have something like that in their lives.
WOULD YOU SHARE A FEW OF THE MORE INSPIRING INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS YOU FOLLOW?
After I joined Instagram and started editing images I had the opportunity to meet some beautiful minds. Each of these people have their own unique style of photography and editing and that's something that I really like.
When it comes to photography these are the people I find most inspiring whether it nature or more urban areas: @galina.step, @auktor.
When it comes to editing the people that I admire and who have their own distinguished style (whether it be double exposures or crazy-looking fantasy landscapes) are: @oakcrea, @emmasancez, @wtch_42, @lvnatikk, @gabrilong, @strate.go, @eleathar, @ciscographie.
They have all been very inspiring and supportive over the last year and I thank them for that.
Take a deeper look into Dusan's art here!
