CCLaP Photo Feature: Vasya Gavrilov

VasyaGavrilov

Chicago Center for Literature and PhotographyPhotographer Feature

02/20/2014Editor: Rebecca Vipond Brink

Location: Voronezh, Russia

I am 21 years old. I became fond of photography about 3-4 years ago. I began with film cameras, but switched to DSLR; all of my most recent work was done on the Canon 5D Mark II with a 24-70mm F2.8 L lens. I am continuously searching for new styles of shooting - I try to create photographs and techniques that are completely unique. I like to experiment with different light sources such as lasers and ultraviolet lights. So far I have limited resources, so I don’t shoot often and use my room for a studio and my friends and girlfriend for models. I’m fortunate and grateful to have their support.

In your portfolio, there’s an obvious shift between your earlier photography, which is somewhat more conventional, and your work in the last two years, which experiments with light in very dramatic ways. What prompted you to make that transition?

When I started shooting pictures I was working with analog film, and learned the classical view of photography; after I purchased a DSLR I had more of an opportunity to experiment, the result of which you see in my more recent photographs. I’m constantly trying to innovate and I enjoy not knowing what new styles await me in the future.

Would you mind describing any of the processes you use to create your photographs?

I loved shooting my AQUARIUS series (at left). To shoot this series I bought a big aquarium, pasted over it with strips of colored vinyl film, put lamps inside, then put this set-up on a table and sank it partway into a lake. I had fun with my friends on the coast and drank beer, and finished shooting when the sun came up. People who saw the shooting process from the outside probably thought we were loonies...

Your subjects are often human body parts or human silhouettes; do you see bodies as being props to work with in order to capture the lights you photograph?

The play of light and shadow, and combinations of different bright colors, are pleasing to me, but people add life to my pictures. I try to invoke new interpretations of recognizable forms by combining light and silhouette.

flickr.com/vasyagavrilov

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