Maria Svarbova: The Art of Frozen Moments

Maria Svarbova, born in 1988 in Bratislava, Slovakia, launched her photography career after graduating in fine arts in 2012. Her breakthrough came with the “Swimming Pool” series in 2014, which brought her international recognition. Still based in Slovakia, she has since become known for her minimalist, surreal scenes that blend pastel colours with a cool, detached perspective. Her work often features tiled textures and still water, creating a timeless stillness that draws viewers in.

Primary Genres: Fine Art Photography
Primary Photography Style: Minimalism (conceptual, sterile) – Employs muted pastel tones and controlled compositions to evoke detachment and introspection.
Key Message: Svarbova stages figures in public spaces to explore themes of isolation and uniformity, crafting scenes that feel both surreal and timeless, encouraging viewers to reflect on the human condition.

Svarbova’s photography revolves around staged scenes in public settings, with swimming pools being her most iconic subject. Her unique aesthetic hinges on pastel blues, mint greens, and soft pinks, paired with textures like tiled walls and calm water surfaces. She uses natural light to maintain authenticity, shooting with digital cameras such as the Fujifilm X-T4 paired with 35mm prime lenses. Her editing process in Lightroom is minimal, focusing on enhancing the pristine, almost sterile quality of her images. These works are often presented as large prints, up to 40×60 inches, displayed at prestigious events like Paris Photo, where their scale amplifies their quiet intensity.

For intermediate photographers, Svarbova’s style offers a masterclass in planning and precision. Her reliance on natural light teaches the importance of working with available conditions, while her controlled compositions highlight the power of simplicity in storytelling. Unlike photographers who lean heavily on post-processing or film, Svarbova’s digital workflow emphasises capturing the scene as intended, with minimal adjustments. This approach encourages learners to focus on in-camera techniques—framing, lighting, and subject placement—rather than relying on software fixes. Experimenting with her methods can help photographers develop a sharper eye for mood and environment.

Her influences, like Stanley Kubrick’s cinematic precision, shine through in her deliberate staging and use of communist-era locations, adding a layer of historical weight to her surreal visuals. Over 20 swimming pools have served as her canvas, each chosen for its retro architecture and ability to evoke a sense of stillness. This blend of location, light, and colour creates a distinctive voice in fine art photography, one that balances detachment with subtle emotional pull.

Accolades:
- Shortlisted for the Hasselblad Masters Award (2018)
- Featured in Vogue Italia
- Exhibited at Paris Photo

Trivia:
- Photographed over 20 swimming pools across Slovakia.
- Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s filmmaking techniques.
- Frequently uses communist-era architecture as backdrops.
- Transitioned to photography after a fine arts education.

Lessons from this Photographer:

Svarbova’s work teaches the value of meticulous planning and environmental awareness, using natural light and minimal editing to preserve authenticity. Her ability to turn everyday spaces into surreal, timeless scenes inspires photographers to experiment with composition and colour palettes to convey mood. Intermediate shooters can apply her focus on in-camera craft—prioritising framing and lighting over post-processing—to refine their skills and tell stronger visual stories.