Interview with photographer Anna Dyatlovskaya

Anna Dyatlovskaya lives and works in the city of Chernogorsk, Siberia, Khakassia. In 2019, Anna completed a course in fine art photography by Yulia Artemyeva, which sparked her interest in analog collage. Subsequently, Anna enrolled in a painting course at the ArtLife school, broadening her artistic pursuits. Currently, Anna is fascinated by contemporary art in general and explores various mediums to create her imagery, including painting, collages, ready-made, and photography.

According to Anna, an artist can convey images through any means, whether it be photography, light, shadow, spilled water, sand, crumpled paper, words, or sound. Her versatile approach reflects her belief in the limitless potential of artistic expression.

Anna's talent and dedication have been recognized with the title of an honorary photographer and a medal in the DotArt and Exhibit Around "Dante" project, celebrating Dante Alighiere's 700th birthday. Her collages have been featured in the project's collection book, accompanied by text from Piero Boitani, Honored Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Rome La Sapienza. The book was presented at a festival in Trieste, Italy.

Furthermore, Anna has participated and achieved recognition in international exhibitions and festivals held in Russia, Italy, England, the Czech Republic, Belarus, and Greece. Her artwork has found homes in private collections across Russia, London, Budapest, and Turkey.

Today we spoke to Anna and asked her a few questions about her art.

Can you describe your unique approach to conceptual photography, especially black-and-white photography? 

The concept of my photographs is to invite viewers to reflect and delve within themselves, to hear the strings of their own souls.

How do you decide on a concept or idea to explore through your work? 

I have a fascination with hands and believe they reveal a lot about a person. When I meet someone, I instinctively look at their hands. I also enjoy capturing real, unique moments through street photography.

Could you discuss any specific techniques or equipment that you prefer to use when creating your photographs? 

When I first began studying art photography, I used my cell phone camera for a year. Later on, a friend gave me her amateur camera, which I was ecstatic about. It was only a year and a half later that I bought a Fujifilm camera. However, even now, I often rely on my phone camera because it's always within reach.

What role does creative experimentation play in your artwork and how does it influence your process? 

Creative experimentation can sometimes feel absurd, and I never know what will come out of it. However, this element of unpredictability is part of the creative process.

How do you select the subjects or objects you photograph and what draws you to them? 

The stories for my photos come to me naturally, from various sources such as my surroundings, music, books, movies, and my own emotions.

What are your thoughts on the relationship between black-and-white photography and conceptual art? 

I believe conceptual art can encompass both black and white and color photography. For me personally, I was initially apprehensive about black-and-white photography. It took me a while to understand the balance between black and white tones, so I postponed experimenting with it.

Could you talk about any specific artists or photographers who have inspired your work? 

During an art photography course, we had to choose a famous photographer as a reference. I discovered Guy Bourdin, whose work captivated me. I even recreated some of his shots by making paper angles for my shoes, wearing blue tights, and sitting in a bathtub. Additionally, I adore Alexander Rodchenko's black-and-white photography and find inspiration from photographers like Vladimir Lagrange and Helmut Newton.

How do you approach editing and processing your images to achieve the desired look and feel? 

I primarily use framing and color correction during editing. I prefer to capture the desired shot in camera rather than relying heavily on post-processing software like Photoshop. Authenticity is essential to me.

Have you faced any challenges in your artistic journey and how have you overcome them? 

I see challenges more as aspirations. One of my goals is to master analog photography and learn how to print photos myself. The idea of creating control prints and having a proper darkroom setup is currently just a dream that requires finding resources and knowledge.

Finally, what do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your photographs?

I hope my photos momentarily stop viewers in their tracks, encouraging them to focus on the details and contemplate the captured moments.

Anna Dyatlovskaya on Instagram