Some photographers chase fame, trends, or flashy aesthetics. But Gil Kreslavsky? He chases something far more real—those blink-and-you-miss-it human moments that happen in the everyday hustle of life. A completely self-taught photographer, Gil has spent years roaming the streets of Asia, soaking up cultures, light, and stories with the curiosity of someone who genuinely loves watching the world unfold.
When you talk to him, it’s clear where that spark came from. As a kid, Gil devoured Jules Verne books like they were treasure maps. Those pages full of adventures and far-off lands planted the earliest seeds of wanderlust. “I’ve always been fascinated by travel,” he says. “I wanted to see the world—not imagine it.”
And that desire eventually met the perfect partner: photography.
For Gil, the camera isn’t just a device—it’s his voice. “Some people write, some tell stories through film,” he explains. “But for me, there’s nothing as powerful as a single image that carries an entire story.” He doesn’t knock photo series, but he loves the challenge of capturing something meaningful in one clean shot. One frame. One moment. Full story.
What he’s most drawn to is candid photography—unstaged, unpolished, honest moments that simply happen. Whether he’s shooting travel, documentary scenes, or everyday street life, the rule stays the same: it has to be candid. “A candid moment never repeats itself,” he says. “And that’s exactly why I chase it.”
His images feel like whispers—soft, raw, real. Gil doesn’t force the world into his frame. He waits for the world to reveal itself. And in that quiet patience, he turns fleeting reality into timeless stories.
Interview by Raj Sarkar
You can find Gil Kreslavsky on the web:
Tell me something about you which nobody knows?
I feel like everyone knows everything these days. I don’t have any deep, dark secrets. If I do I might keep them hidden for a reason :)
Please share your childhood dream and funny incidents if any?
I’ve always been fascinated by travel. As a child, I would devour Jules Verne’s books, captivated by the adventures of the characters. These early experiences planted the seeds for my lifelong passion for exploring the world.
What is your view about photography?
Photography, to me, is the medium through which I convey a story. While some people rely on words, others on cinematography, I find that there’s nothing quite like a story told in a single image. It’s not that I discourage the creation of series of works; rather, my challenge lies in consistently achieving this with a single image.
Which genre of photography do you like/practice and why?
I’m mostly attracted to the candid styles of photography. It can be in the form of travel, documentary, or street photography, but it has to be candid. There is something about that single candid moment that will never repeat itself exactly in the same way. And I’m devoted to chase it.
Almost 90% of photographers find it hard to earn money out of photography. Any tips that might help photographers to earn money?
If I had to offer one suggestion, it would be to pursue photography as a hobby. It’s incredibly challenging to earn a living from photography while simultaneously maintaining your passion for it.
However, if you decide to pursue photography as a career, it’s crucial to narrow down your focus, become proficient in that field, and then monetize your expertise.
It’s important to remember that earning from photography isn’t solely about photography itself. It involves money management, marketing, and consistency. You’ll likely be doing things unrelated to photography about 60% of the time. Be very cautious not to lose your passion for it.
I’m fortunate to be able to both earn from photography and enjoy what I do. I’ve chosen the path of education, which brings me immense fulfillment and allows me to share my passion with others.
I’m happy to answer any more specific questions you may have in the comments.
Which photography agency you like and why?
If I had to choose one, it would be Magnum. Magnum photographers have produced some of the best photography throughout the history of the medium. They are also the keepers of the history of photography.
Does good camera play a major role in photography?
Camera needs to be convenient to the user, and he needs to know how to operate it almost blindly. It is less important how good the camera is than how well you know it and know how to use it.
Share three names of the photographers who has inspired you a lot?
- Josef Koudelka
- Bruno Barbey
- Stieve McCurry
Does social media like Facebook, Instagram, google and some sites like 500px , natgeo yourshot helps to get the attention of the viewers in larger aspect?
The world has become increasingly video-centric today. Photographers must now learn and adapt to the video format. Simply posting their work on various websites is no longer sufficient. With video, reach can be multiplied tenfold.
Do you think that a quality workshop can change the mindset or point of view of any photographer and why? Should we attend quality workshop frequently?
I’m a self-taught photographer. I never participated in a workshop; the street was my teacher. So I know that you can do it by yourself; it just takes longer. People are different, and my approach of head into the wall until it breaks is definitely not the best one, or the fastest one. But it has one big benefit. After some time, you understand everything because you tried it, failed many times and have the personal experience.
A workshop can speed up things for you. I have seen dedicated beginners starting to produce very good work within a year. But you shouldn’t take anything in the workshop as the way to do things.
You must try everything yourself and discover what works for you .
What is the difference between a good photographer and bad photographer?
I don’t like to characterize photographers like that. I would say the difference is experience and how deep you go into the medium of photography. A lot of photographers are flying on the surface and never explore photography deeper, and that is felt in the work they produce; it’s just shallow.
What is the difference between a good photograph and a bad photograph?
A photograph should move you in a certain way. After the first glance, the viewer should stop and be interested in what is there, willing to explore deeper and try to understand what the photographer saw. A regular image is a feast for your eyes. A great image touches your soul and moves you emotionally.
What should our moto towards photography- Self-satisfaction or viewers’ attention/satisfaction?
I never think of the viewer when I photograph, I mostly photograph for myself. Later if I see that I have captured something that I want to share with the viewer I will share it.
What is meant by comfort zone in photography? How it ruins the carrier?
It’s probably different for different people, but it is mostly around doing and repeating the same thing that comes easy to you, avoiding trying something new. I don’t think it ruins your career, it just stops your growth.
Photography is a journey, you can definitely stop and hang out in the same part of the journey, but eventually we should strive and move further.
What is your opinion about documentary photography? Do you like it? If yes, why?
I like it a lot. Mostly because a good documentary project comes with a lot of personal connection between the photographer and the subject of that project. The work can be deep and emotional, taking you far beyond what you could see as a bystander.
Light, decisive moment, content, ambience, a good gear, according to you which is most essential element in photography?
Everything starts with the moment; the rest are the tools you use to capture it. They are the seasoning . It is very often that photographers focus on the seasoning rather than the moment.. Which can help you develop some skills in you but makes you miss the point.
Are you attached to any particular brand or brand ambassador if yes, specify?
Not really… I have shot with many different cameras and lenses. I have some personal preferences, but these change over time and are not something that defines your photography.
Do you feel any pressure being an ambassador of any brand? If yes, how do you cope up with the pressure? Does this tag help to get more audience?
I don’t do any ambassador work. I can occasionally review a certain product, but it will be highlighting how it is to work with that product. The opinions are always my own, and no one can really put pressure on me. My integrity is very important to me.
Concept and definition in photography is getting changed every day. what is your opinion about future of photography.
It is going to change a lot in the next several years. I want to believe that candid photography will always have its place in our world, but who knows? Hard to predict the future.
Which food do you like the most? Does it help you to explore more?
Which food haha … Ask me in which country .. Every place has some dishes that I like a lot, but I definitely caught myself doing a certain circle on the street so I can pass by a place that I like.
Any message for the young photographers?
The biggest problems with young photographers are that they have grown up in a very fast-paced world. And that wasn’t for them to have quick results, so many of them instead of exploring the medium are searching for shortcuts. My message would be to give photography time, it’s a journey. It might take you your whole life.
Are you engaged to any project-based work?
Not really… I did start building certain series and collections that might come into a book sometimes in the future, but it’s still all very green.
What is your big achievement in photography?
That I can do it full time whenever I want.
Kindly share top five Instagram account everybody should follow.
I like collectives that are doing good job in curating photographers work.. So perhaps I will share these:
Role of smile in photography- share your views?
Smiles are magical but only if genuine and candid. Forced smiles for the camera should be ignored.
