Today we’d like to introduce you to Val Dostalek
Hi Val, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in 1969 in Pisecna, Czech Republic (previously Czechoslovakia). I immigrated to the United States (Chicago) in 1998.
I drove a semi truck all over America for seven (7) years and I liked San Diego the most. A friend of mine Lenka (now my wife), who served here in the US Navy at the time, played an important role in settling in San Diego. Once she took me on a trip around the area and I rest is history:)
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest failure was also my success. On the I-5 highway on the way from San Diego to LA five minutes before midnight “in five minutes to twelve,” a drunk driver with a passenger car hit me and destroyed my truck. Fortunately, and to our great surprise, no one was hurt, but both vehicles were no longer vehicles. I had two options, pay the damages and drive again or completely change my career. It was my “wake up call”, I decided to completely change everything. I returned to my childhood hobby, photography. My children are a great inspiration.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an architectural photographer. The importance is physical condition and the willingness to get up at 4 in the morning to capture the sunrise or to drink five coffees a day while editing. Patience, creativity and a sense of humor. And all above, don’t be afraid of your imagination. Don’t be afraid to show your photos to people and be open to criticism.
Every year, together with my compatriot Jana Kenney, we organize a summer art camp at www.sandiegoartcamp.com for children from 6 to 12 years old in beautiful Balboa Park, where we teach them photography, painting, ceramics, and dance.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
At the age of 10 I got my first 35mm film camera and discovered a new hobby and started experimenting in the darkroom.
A darkroom is a room that is designed to be extremely dark to prevent any external light from exposing light-sensitive photographic materials, such as film and photographic paper, to light. The only light source allowed in a darkroom is a “safe light”, which is a special type of lamp that emits a very low level of red light. This red light is safe for the materials because it is not intense enough to expose them, whereas white light or other types of light can damage or destroy them.
It takes about 40 minutes to load the film (lots of practice!), prep the chemicals (I use liquid chemicals or I pre-mix a large batch), develop, water stop, and fix. The film is then washed for about 20 minutes.
I discovered a new hobby and I had no idea that I would do it professionally.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.valdostalek.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valdostalek/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dostalek
- Twitter: https://x.com/ValDostalek
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valdostalek
- Other: https://www.sandiegoartcamp.com
