The exhibition ‘Shipbuilding Through the Lens’ highlights the photographs of our local and well-known photo chronicler, Jadranko Bosna, dating back to the days when he acquired his first analog camera in the 1980s and began pursuing amateur photography. Jadranko’s body of work is rich and diverse, and just for the preparation of this exhibition, he brought us a USB with over 10,000 photographs for the museum!
Jadranko Bosna, the author of photographs
Jadranko Bosna was born in 1959. After finishing elementary school, his father, who was a shipbuilder, anbd later an electrician, encouraged him to start working as soon as possible, which was common at the time. While many people worked in agriculture, he chose to work in shipbuilding.
He began his professional career as an apprentice with shipbuilder Čedomir Burtina Ćiro, where he learned the trade for three years until he came of age. In 1976, he started working at the Škver shipyard in Betina, where he spent the next 45 years, except for his military service and during wartime. Although he worked at the shipyard and the Betina marina, he preferred not to be called a shipuilder; he identified more as a shipyard worker due to the various tasks he performed.
Even though he made templates and built boats, he notes that he never built an entire boat by himself or drew plans. He preferred learning the trade through hands-on experience with older shipbuilders. In his free time, he did not engage in shipbuilding.
Photography became his hobby by chance. Jadranko Bosna developed a deep passion for photography starting in 1981 with his first analog camera, Agfa, while working at a cinema. In 2005, he switched to a digital professional camera, the Olympus E3, which opened up new creative and technological possibilities. Over the years, he honed his photography skills with various cameras, and since 2009, he has used the Olympus E3.
In 2019, Jadranko switched to the Olympus OM-D E-M10, a compact but powerful camera that allows him to remain flexible and creative in his approach to photography. Recently, he has been using Nikon cameras due to their specific features and capabilities.
Although his interest in photography is evident, Jadranko admits he initially avoided photographing people because of his shyness. Over time, he realized how important it is to capture moments and now regrets not photographing more people in his early years. Photography is more than just a hobby for him; it is a way to record important moments and remember the past. He explores different styles and techniques through photography books and is particularly interested in old photos that offer insights into past eras and lifestyles.
For the author of this exhibition, photography is not just art or technology; it is a way to preserve memories, express creativity, and reflect on the values and beauty of fleeting moments. Photography is much more than just taking pictures—it is a language that conveys emotions, stories, and significant moments. Through the camera lens, photographers capture fleeting moments and make them eternal. Each photo carries its own story, context, and aesthetic.
For many people, photography is a way to express themselves, share their view of the world, or record important events and memories. It can be a means of introspection and a way to connect with others through shared visual experiences. Technology has greatly changed photography over the years, from early analog cameras to the digital era and current advanced systems. Each technological change opens new opportunities for experimentation and creation, allowing photographers to reach new heights in their artistic and technical achievements, even as amateurs.
His collection of photographs includes many people and events, and he especially regrets not taking more photos during the 1980s when many of those people were still around. Although he was not a professional photographer, his passion for photography has left a lasting mark on his life and the community he documented.
Today, even though his interest in photography is not what it once was, he still enjoys reviewing his old work. His life and work, whether in shipbuilding or photography, have been shaped by his love for the craft and the community where he has spent his entire life. His photographs capture everyday life with attention to detail, aesthetics, and emotional touch. Through his work, Jadranko Bosna gives us a deep insight into the world around us, encouraging us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of everyday moments.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Although Jadranko Bosna’s work is diverse and extensive, the exhibition is divided into eight thematic sections, all connected by the common theme of wooden shipbuilding. Wooden shipbuilding is a key part of Jadranko’s professional and personal life, making it easy to organize the exhibition this way. We can see ships and shipbuilding from different angles—through the detailed process of making a wooden ship and through the artistic view of a ship being built. It was also important to show the photographs in a specific time and place, so the selected photos are from the Betina Shipyard, both in the past and today.
The wooden ship, as the main motiv of this exhibition, serves as inspiration in all its forms—whether still under construction, being launched, sailing, or docked at the shore, with or without its crew. The scenes captured through the lens also offer us a glimpse into the old days of the Betina Shipyard when shipbuilding was more intense and employed a much larger number of wooden shipbuilders.
The images that made the final selection for the exhibition, as well as the exhibition concept itself, were divided into 8 thematic categories:
The Shipyard in the Past
Shipyard Staff
Boats Under Construction
BoatART
Shipyard in the 21st Century
Boats at Sea
Boats at the Pier
Restorations and Launches
