KONSTANTIN OF MUSHROOMS ABOUT THE “GENERALITY” OF GENERS OF PHOTO

Fascinated by the magic of film from childhood, Konstantin Gribov from an early age realized that he wanted to link his life with photography. He works in different genres, and in each of them he sees his own characteristics. We will talk about this and many other things today.
– Konstantin, the first question is traditional: how did you discover the world of photography and how long did you start photographing?
– I opened the photo in my childhood. At that time, the entire territory of the present-day CIS was totally interested in amateur photography. The exception was not my grandfather. I remember very well how he tried to explain to me what an ex-pair was: “Right now, the sun, we set it by the eye of \ 250 and 8, but the clouds appeared – we change it to 1/60 and 4”. What did these magic numbers mean – I absolutely did not understand and wondered why all this was needed when you could just press a button.No less magical seemed manipulation in a dark bathroom. Reagents in certain proportions, screams at home, accidentally turned on the light in the bathroom, developers, fixers … On a white sheet of paper, a picture begins to manifest itself in some incomprehensible way – a saved moment of life … Perhaps this is one of the most powerful impressions of childhood. Along with the subsequent sneakers, chewing gums and the first VHS video player.
The real passion began with the proliferation of digital cameras and photo sites. In 2003, he bought his first two megapixel Nikon Coolpix. I remember my first meaningful photoset when I was in Donetsk with a childhood friend and at dawn we climbed into the heaps (abandoned mines). Then I came up with simply stunning, in my concepts at the time, pictures. Yes, and still have a few photos from there.
Then there were the first few hundred thousand shots, the first SLR, a fascination for landscapes, the first commercial shooting …
– What attracts you to the genre of monochrome photography?
– I would not distinguish it in a separate genre. I just like the greater expressiveness of black and white photos – accents on geometry, emotions, half tones. If we are to be completely frank, it’s just convenient. Nakosyachil with exposure? Does the color distract from the plot? Do not worry – transfer to BW! (smiles).
– Are there any plots or themes that you consider ideal for black and white photography?
– Yes of course. This is, above all, a report, genre photography, street. As a rule, all this looks much more profitable in black and white.
– You work in different genres. Which one of them is close to you the most?
– I like the “genre” in any genre of photography. I apologize for the tautology. This refers to any element that gives photos vividness, vitality. For example, the presence in the landscape of a person, the dynamics and emotionality in a portrait, etc.
I also like it very much when a photographer can show everyday things in an unusual, interesting for all world, when. passing through itself, can convey its vision and mood.
Roughly speaking, a monkey can remove a beautiful girl model with a high-aperture lens on an open diaphragm, if she can explain to her where to click. And if the girl was naked, and even handle the glamorous – recognition is guaranteed (smiles). The same with beautiful colorful landscapes is more a question not of talent, but of having money, time and patience.
– What is your inspiration?
– In music, music videos, movies.
– How are you improving? Studied photography professionally or independently?
– It is not entirely clear what is meant by the phrase “studying professionally.” In our country, a photographer is a specialized secondary education. I never had a mentor. I read some books, watched the work of other photographers. And, most importantly, I shot a lot. Practice is the most important thing in any business!
– Are there masters of modern and classic photography, whose works you are targeting?
– I am very close in spirit to the agency “Magnum Photos”, a classic Soviet photo. At home lies a huge pile of magazines “Soviet Photo”.
– How do you evaluate the modern Russian photo industry?
– It depends on what is meant by the photo industry. If you mean photography as a way of earning, then there are not so many ways. And they all have a very indirect relationship to creativity. Do not confuse craft and creativity. I would call it one of the main mistakes of novice photographers. Although, of course, these phenomena have their points of contact.