Tomas Urbelionis Discusses Analogue Photography, Mystery, and Accidental Career Start
Lithuanian photographer Tomas Urbelionis, a member of the Lithuanian Photographers’ Association since 2012, works primarily in analogue film and silver gelatin printing. He began photography after health issues ended his basketball ambitions around age twenty, when he borrowed a Zenit film SLR from a friend. His series “Something Happened” used flash, while his London photograph from a five-minute shoot won Lithuania’s “Madamarfozės” fashion photography competition in 2011. Urbelionis values film’s grain, texture, and colour over digital sterility, especially amid AI-generated imagery. He prints less now due to serious back problems, making remaining silver gelatin prints precious. He cites mystery as central to his work, aiming to create questions rather than answers. The Association provides annual financial support but, he says, has had almost no creative influence; he works independently, rarely engaging with photographer communities. His best friend is uninterested in art, and they play NBA video games together. Urbelionis’s work is featured on Singulart, including pieces “Opium” and “Fashion kills.”
Key facts
- Tomas Urbelionis has been a member of the Lithuanian Photographers’ Association since 2012.
- He began photography around age twenty after health problems ended his basketball career.
- He borrowed a Zenit film SLR camera from a friend, sparking his interest in artistic photography.
- His London photograph, taken in a five-minute shoot with only three frames left on a roll, won the “Madamarfozės” fashion photography competition in Lithuania in 2011.
- He primarily uses analogue film and hand-crafted silver gelatin prints, valuing grain, texture, and colour over digital perfection.
- He worked as a photojournalist for three years, using various digital cameras.
- Serious back problems have reduced his printing activity in recent years.
- His series “Something Happened” often used flash lighting, while he typically prefers natural light.
- He states the Lithuanian Photographers’ Association provides annual financial support but has had almost no influence on his creative development.
- His work is available on Singulart, including the pieces “Opium” and “Fashion kills.”
Entities
Artists
- Tomas Urbelionis
Institutions
- Lithuanian Photographers’ Association
- Singulart
- Singulart Magazine
- Madamarfozės
Locations
- Lithuania
- London
- United Kingdom