Zdeno Kostka
Born in 1956 in Liptovský Mikuláš. Graduated from the Faculty of Natural Sciences in Bratislava, Department of Geology - Applied Geophysics. Previously acting as a research scientist in hydrology of mountain areas at the Experimental Hydrological Base of the Institute of Hydrology in Liptovský Mikuláš. Recently retired.
While started in photography as a student already, he began to pay serious interest in photography as an autodidact in the nineties. He focuses mainly on landscape and nature photography. Originally he photographed exclusively on transparency film. Later he gradually switched to digital photography.
He is the member of the Association of Slovak Photographers.
He exhibited photographs in many competitive exhibitions in Slovakia as well as in international photographic salons and biennials. Annually exhibiting his works at the Association of Slovak Photographers exhibitions of art photography. He was a jury member of several national and international photographic competitions.
Photographic Distinctions:
2009, Excellence of the International Federation of Photographic Art (EFIAP) distinction
2009, Master of the Slovak Association of Photographers (MZSF) distinction
2007, Author of the Slovak Association of Photographers (AZSF) distinction
2005, Artist of the International Federation of Photographic Art (AFIAP) distinction
Solo Exhibitions:
2011, exhibition „The country of silence“ in the “Gallery on the stairs” in the House of Culture in Liptovský Hrádok, Slovakia
2011, exhibition „The country of silence“ in GaleryJA, Salesians of Don Bosco, Bratislava, Slovakia
2010, exhibition „The country of silence“ in the Gallery of the Photoclub of the Liptov Museum in Ružomberk, Slovakia
2010, exhibition „The country of silence“ in Liptov Cultural Centre in Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
Group Exhibitions:
2017, 2nd Salon of Creative Photography of the members of Slovak Federation of Photographers (member of FIAP)
2017, „FOTOTROJLÍSTOK“ (Photographic Trefoil) photographic exhibition - symbolic photographic interconnection of Liptov region photographers from Liptovský Mikuláš, Ružomberok and Liptovský Hrádok towns
2016, „FOTOTROJLÍSTOK“ (Photographic Trefoil) photographic exhibition - symbolic photographic interconnection of Liptov region photographers from Liptovský Mikuláš, Ružomberok and Liptovský Hrádok towns
2015, photographs in the book „Liptov objektívom“ (Liptov Region by the Lens) published at the occasion of the 90th anniversary of photo club at the Museum of Liptov Region in Ružomberok
2015, Group photographic exhibition of the Liptov region photographers in Vsetin, Czech Republic
2012, Collection FIAP “Paysage d’Europe” (exhibition "Landscapes from Europe" created specially from the FIAP collections and World Cup awarded pictures, 27 Countries, 27 Landscapes, 27 Photographers) at the SALON de la PHOTO (stand D101), Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris, France
2011, Double-exhibition “30 Years of the Photographic Club Obzor” and “Six of Liptov District” in the Regionart gallery at the Regional cultural centre in Prievidza, Slovakia
2011, Group photographic exhibition of the ArtStudio Lipt.Hrádok photographic club members in the Gallery of the Photoclub of the Liptov Museum in Ružomberok, Slovakia
2009, Group exhibition of the six photographers of Liptov district (Peter Illeš, Vladimír Škuta st., Peter Hönsch, Zdeno Kostka, Dušan Rázus, Stanislav Surový) in the House of Matica slovenská, Martin, Slovakia
2009, Group exhibition of the six photographers of Liptov district (Peter Illeš, Vladimír Škuta st., Peter Hönsch, Zdeno Kostka, Dušan Rázus, Stanislav Surový) „Varied Crumbs of Liptov District“ in the Regional cultural centre, Košice, Slovakia
2008, Group exhibition of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) distinctions holders at the 29th FIAP Congress at the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia
Jury of Photographic Competitions:
2024, Jury Chairman, STROM 2024 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2024/041 and IAAP 2024-02 Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2023, Jury Member, STROM 2023 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2023/016 and PSA 2023/45 Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2022, Jury Member, STROM 2022 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2022/174 and PSA 2022/43 Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2021, Jury Member, STROM 2021 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2021/063 and PSA 2021/1133 Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2020, Jury Chairman, STROM 2020 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2020/051 and PSA 2020/087 Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2019, Jury Member, STROM 2019 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2019/069 and PSA 2019/049 Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2017, Jury Chairman, district round of the AMFO 2017 Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2016, Jury Member, 9th “Liptov District in Photography” Photographic Competition, Liptovský Hrádok, Slovakia
2014, Jury Member, STROM 2014 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2014/030 and PSA Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2013, Jury Member, district round of the AMFO 2013 Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2013, Jury Member, STROM 2013 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2013/027 and PSA Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2012, Jury Member, 7th “Liptov District in Photography” Photographic Competition, Liptovský Hrádok, Slovakia
2012, Jury Member, district round of the AMFO 2012 Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2012, Jury Chairman, STROM 2012 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2012/073 and PSA Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2011, Jury Member, regional round of the AMFO 2011 Photographic Competition, Žilina, Slovakia
2011, Jury Member, district round of the AMFO 2011 Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2011, Jury Member, STROM 2011 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2011/019 and PSA Patronages), Ružomberok, Slovakia
2010, Jury Member, 35th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2010, Jury Member, STROM 2010 International Photographic Salon (FIAP 2010/027 Patronage), Ružomberok, Slovakia
Book Cover
Donna D. Vitucci, SALT OF PATRIOTS. Rebel E Publishers, 2017, ISBN 978-1-944077-18-1, 338 pp
Awards:
2016, 1st Price, 41st Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2013, 3rd Price, 38th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2010, FOTOFORUM Price, 43rd FOTOFORUM International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2009, 2nd Price, district round of AMFO 2008 Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia („Mystery of Water“ multimedia show)
2008, 1st Price (colour photography category) and 1st price (panorama), “Liptov District in Photography” Photographic Competition, Liptovský Hrádok, Slovakia
2008, VÖAV Bronze Medal and FIAP Honourable Mention, International Friends of Nature Photo Championship, Austria
2008, Price of the Serbian Photographic Association, 1st International Photography Exhibition Stara Planina, Serbia
2008, PSA Silver Medal, 29th Northern Counties International Salon of Photography, Tynemouth, Great Britain
2008, FIAP Gold Medal, 8th Malmö International Exhibition of Photographic Art, Malmő, Sweden
2008, FIAP Bronze Medal, 1st International Salon of Digital & Color Slide Photography, Kocevje, Slovenia
2008, Honourable Mention, 1st Foto Club Quilmes International Exhibition of Virtual Imaging, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2008, 1st Price, 33rd Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2008, 2nd Price, regional round of the AMFO Photographic Competition, Žilina, Slovakia
2008, FIAP Honourable Mention, KRAJOBRAZ GÓRSKI (Mountain Landscape) 2008 International Photographic Salon, Nowy Targ, Poland
2008, 3rd Price, district round of the AMFO Photographic Competition, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2007, FIAP Honourable Mention, 22nd TREE International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2006, Honourable Mention, 31st Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2006, 1st Price, “Liptov District in Photography” Photographic Competition, Liptovský Hrádok, Slovakia
2005, Price of City Mayor, EKOFOTOGRAFIA Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2005, Honourable Mention, AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Žilina, Slovakia
2005, 1st Price, JARNÝ SALÓN (Spring Salon) Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2004, FIAP Silver Medal, MINIATURE International Photographic Salon, Kranj, Slovenia
2004, Honourable Mention, AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Žilina, Slovakia
2004, 1st Price, JARNÝ SALÓN (Spring Salon) Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2003, 1st Price, photographic part of the 11th International Festival of Mountain Films, Poprad, Slovakia
2003, 1st Price, regional round of the AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Žilina, Slovakia
2003, Price of City Mayor, JARNÝ SALÓN (Spring Salon) Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2002, 2nd Price, 27th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2002, Honourable Mention, regional round of the AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Žilina, Slovakia
2001, Honourable Mention, EKOFOTOGRAFIA Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2001, 3rd Price, 26th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2001, Honourable Mention, AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Bratislava, Slovakia
2000, Honourable Mention, regional round of the AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Žilina, Slovakia
1999, Price of City Mayor, EKOFOTOGRAFIA Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
1999, 2nd Price, regional round of the AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Žilina, Slovakia
Photographic Competitions (Accepted Photographs):
2019, FOTOFORUM 2016 - 52nd International Exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2019, 44th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2018, 43rd Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2017, Digifoto Galanta, Galanta, Slovakia
2017, 4th Spring Fotosalon Bardaf 2017, Bardejov, Slovakia
2017, 42nd Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2017, STROM 2017 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2016, FOTOFORUM 2016 - 49th International Exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2016, 41st Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2016, STROM 2016 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2015, 40th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2014, 39th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2013, 38th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2012, 37th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2011, 36th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2011, Collection of the Slovak National Center of Photographic Art, Best Print Clubs - Gold Medal, 20th Trierenberg Super Circuit 2011 Photoartsalon, Feldkirch - Graz - Linz - Wien, Austria
2010, The Al-Thani Award for Photography 2010 International Salon of Photographic Art, Linz, Austria
2010, Collection of the Slovak National Center of Photographic Art, Best Print Clubs - Gold Medal, 19th Trierenberg Super Circuit 2010 Photoartsalon, Feldkirch - Graz - Linz - Wien, Austria
2010, “Liptov District in Photography 2010” Photographic Competition, Liptovský Hrádok, Slovakia
2010, 35th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2009, International Salon FESTICOLOR 2009, Mortsel, Belgium
2009, EKOFOTOGRAFIA 2009 International Photographic Salon, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2009, 34th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2009, Collection of the Slovak National Center of Photographic Art, Best Print Clubs - Gold Medal, 18th Trierenberg Super Circuit 2009 Photoartsalon, Feldkirch - Graz - Linz - Wien, Austria
2009, FOTOFORUM 2009 - 42nd International Exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2009, 25. Concorso Fotografico Internazionale, San Marino
2009, STROM 2009 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2009, FESTICOLOR 2009 International Photographic Salon, Mortsel, Belgicko
2008, The Al-Thani Award for Photography 2008 International Salon of Photographic Art, Doha, Qatar
2008, Collection of the Slovak National Center of Photographic Art, Best Print Clubs - Gold Medal, 17th Trierenberg Super Circuit 2008 Photoartsalon, Feldkirch - Graz - Linz - Wien, Austria
2008, XXXVI Trofeo Gipuzkoa Internacional 2008 International Exhibition, Donostia - San Sebastian, Spain
2008, 3th Salon International Fotografia Digital Illes Balears, Mallorca, Spain
2008, The 1st Taiwan International Salon of Photography, San-Chung City, Taiwan
2008, 9. Internationaler Digital Foto-Salon 2008, Reutlingen, Germany
2008, Bucovina Mileniul III International Salon of Photographic Art, Suceava, Romania
2008, FOTOFORUM 2008 Ruzomberok - 41st international exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2008, 34º Salón Internacional de Arte Fotográfico de Algarve, Silves, Portugal
2008, 44e Challenge du Photo Club Esch Salon Mondial, Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg
2008, The Golden Spurs - International Photographic Salon, Ieper, Belgium
2008, Ecological Thruth 2008 - International Photographic Salon, Zajecar, Serbia
2008, 11th VÖAV-Competition for Digital Imaging, Wien, Austria
2008, The 89th Scottish Salon of Photography, Carluke, Scotland
2008, 7th Suncoast Virtual Salon, Palm Harbor, USA
2008, 62nd Bristol Salon of Photography, Bristol, Great Britain
2008, 32nd Greater Lynn International Color Exhibition, North Reading, USA
2008, 5e Festival International de la photo Nature et Paysage, La Gacilly, France
2008, 6th Holland International Image Circuit (12th Tribute to Colour - Hoorn, 6th Image Salon Delft - Hoorn, 6th Image Salon Oldenzaal - Hoorn, 6th Wageningen Image Contest - Hoorn, 4th Rainbow Challenge Rijen - Hoorn), Holland
2008, 5th Swansea City Exhibition of International Photography, Gower, Great Britain
2008, Euro - Picamera International Photographic Salon, Ieper, Belgium
2008, Welsh International Projected Image Salon 2008, Bridgend, Great Britain
2007, Mersin Photographic Society - 1st International Photographic Salon, Mersin, Turkey
2007, China 12th International Photographic Art Exhibition, Peking, China
2007, 2th French Digital Tour (6° Salon International Image Numérique de Hayange, 1° Salon Internationalde St Aignan de Crasmenil, 10° Salon International de Bagnols / Marcoule), Metz, France
2007, The AL-THANI Award for Photography 2007, Doha, Qatar
2007, II Salón Internacional de Fotografía Digital Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2007, 7th Malmö International Exhibition of Photographic Art, Malmö, Sweden
2007, KRAJOBRAZ GÓRSKI (Mountain Landscape) 2007 International Photographic Salon, Nowy Targ, Poland
2007, 32nd Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2007, The14th Macao International Salon of Photography 2007, Macau, China
2007, Collection of the Slovak National Center of Photographic Art, Best Print Clubs - Gold Medal, 16th Trierenberg Super Circuit 2007 Photoartsalon, Feldkirch - Graz - Linz - Wien, Austria
2007, 6th Suncoast Virtual Salon, Palm Harbor, USA
2007, 32. Tauernkristall - Lienz 2007 - International Photographic Salon, Assling, Austria
2007, XII International Exhibition of Artistic Miniature Photographs - "Miniature", Novi Beograd, Serbia
2007, 43e Challenge du Photo Club Esch Salon Mondial, Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg
2006, The AL-THANI Award for Photography 2007, Doha, Qatar
2006, 3rd German Mega Circuit – 2nd Main Spessart International, Germany
2006, 8ème Salon International d'Art Photographique de Wervicq-Sud, Haubourdin, France
2006, 1st French Digital Tour (5° Salon Int. Image Numérique de Hayange, 1° Salon Int. de Perpignan, 9° Salon Int. de Bagnols/Marcoule), France
2006, 4th Swansea City Exhibition of International Photography, Gower, Great Britain
2006, 7. Internationaler Digital-Foto-Salon 2006, Reutlingen, Germany
2006, FOTOFORUM 2006 Ružomberok - 39th International Exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2006, 3e Festival International de la Photo Nature et Paysage, La Gacilly, France
2006, Collection of the Slovak National Center of Photographic Art, Best Print Clubs - Gold Medal, 15th Trierenberg Super Circuit 2006 Photoartsalon, Feldkirch - Graz - Linz - Wien, Austria
2006, 13th Nature Colour Print Biennial, Rovinj, Croatia
2006, 28. Black & White Biennial, Chengdu, China
2006, 42e Challenge du Photo Club Esch Salon Mondial, Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg
2006, STROM 2006 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2005, Swansea City Exhibition of International Photography, Gower, Great Britain
2005, FOTOFORUM 2005 Ružomberok - 38th International Exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2005, KRAJOBRAZ GÓRSKI (Mountain Landscape) 2005, Nowy Targ, Poland
2005, 30th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2005, STROM 2005 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2004, Swansea City Exhibition of International Photography, Gower, Great Britain
2004, FOTOFORUM 2004 Ružomberok - 37th International Exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2004, 29th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2004, STROM 2004 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2003, XXXI Trofeo Gipuzkoa Internacional, Donostia - San Sebastian, Spain
2003, EKOFOTOGRAFIA Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2003, FOTOFORUM 2003 Ružomberok - 36th International Exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2003, 28th Exhibition of Art Photography, Slovak Association of Photographers, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2003, KRAJOBRAZ GÓRSKI (Mountain Landscape) 2003, Nowy Targ, Poland
2003, STROM 2003 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2002, SLOVENSKO MOJE (My Slovakia) Photographic Competition, Komárno, Slovakia
2002, AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Bratislava, Slovakia
2002, JARNÝ SALÓN (Spring Salon) Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2002, STROM 2002 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
2001, SLOVENSKO MOJE (My Slovakia) Photographic Competition, Komárno, Slovakia
2001, AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition (regional round), Žilina, Slovakia
2001, JARNÝ SALÓN (Spring Salon) Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2000, AMFO and DIAFOTO Photographic Competition, Bratislava, Slovakia
2000, JARNÝ SALÓN (Spring Salon) Photographic Competition, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia
2000, STROM 2000 International Photographic Salon, Ružomberok, Slovakia
1999, FOTOFORUM 1999 International Exhibition of Art Photography, Ružomberok, Slovakia
1999, KÁMEN A LED (Stone and Ice) Photographic Competition, Jesenice, Czech Republic