Why in the midst of a pandemic, when many of your colleagues were doing the hospital scenes in the red zone, you’ve been paying attention to “quarantine” the animal life?
Michael Giragosian: I didn’t want to remove the red area. What is happening there is a tragedy. Many photographers become known for such as those, but although their pictures and elicit public response, it does not help anyone. The primary purpose of such people is not to help the heroes, and flirting with the feelings of the viewer. I do not advocate this. Why make a name for himself on the tragedy?
My project is, first and foremost, a social value. His themes helped to develop the photographer Vladimir Vyatkin, I was asked to be the curator of the project. In the first part of “Moscow zoo. Isolation” was planned to show the empty zoo animal eyes, but in the process, the theme has acquired a different meaning: while all the forces of society were thrown on the support of a man, Moscow zoo, despite the uncomfortable new mode of operation, as humanly cared about his players, not left them in the lurch.
I am madly in love animals, absolutely all, and this is also one of the reasons why there was such an idea. In addition, the closure of the zoo is unprecedented in its history.
What are your impressions of shooting in the Moscow zoo?
Michael Giragosian: the Plot was very quiet: there are no special “action”, but there is an atmosphere of peace. Along with the peace of mind I showed the active work of the people, which continued into the quarantine. I shot at the zoo in about 35 days, all the while marveling at how there treat the animals with love. Watch it was a great pleasure.
That is for you this project – a kind of rest?
Michael Giragosian: No, “Moscow zoo. Isolation” and “We like you” – a deep, lucid, quite complex in the incarnation of the sequence. Animals are very difficult to remove and cannot be managed: we need to find the relationship between the views, to feel their mood.
for Example, I shot the lion for the second part of the project 8 days – every day for 2-3 hours. Leopard – 2 days: he growled at me, always was too far for a good shot. In the end, allowed himself to withdraw, coming closer exactly 2 minutes, and then jumped on me – hung on the cage. So many times I had to remove the Panda Jouy: while we caretakers have exposed the composition, the Panda fell asleep.
Now I continue to photograph at the zoo, but almost nothing can be off due to the huge number of visitors and animals, and people return to normal life.
Turns out, isolation has been more of a motivation than a lull, forced to look for new camera angles?
Michael Giragosian: Yes, when sitting at home, it makes sense to experiment. I honestly did not violate any isolation of 45 days, not going outside, started shooting flowers that were never filmed, made a few interesting pictures of the view from the window. I will say more: when there was a rehearsal of the parade, I took pictures of the passing planes with the tricolor, and this picture was in the associated Press.
in Parallel with the shooting in the zoo, I never stopped working on the already started projects. For example, “Monumental geometry”: architectural photo series with images of important state buildings (the Kremlin, the Ministry of defence), churches – mainly in Moscow plot. Now, during the pandemic, with official permission was removed for this project, the building of the FSB.
quarantined gained popularity online exhibition. How do you feel about this format?
Michael Giragosian: I was offered to do an online exhibit of the series “We like you”, but I refused. I am a supporter of the classical exhibition format, the classic perception. I need to people came, looked, shared opinions – that they have live chat, contact.
the entire “distance learning” I have never been to one online exhibition, because I do not perceive information in this way. The image on the paper carries magic – a very different energy than the picture on the screen of your phone or computer. So to remove, and then publish in social networks is also useless.
But users of social networks, as the visitors can Express their opinions about photography, and to discuss work…
Michael Giragosian: In my opinion, the main task of photography is that it hung on the wall at the exhibition, in the office, at someone’s home, at least in the underpass. Just so people can see it and rate it. And the views and likes on the Internet nothing to say: imagine that you signed a thousand people; you are satisfied with the exhibition. I assure you, it will come, God forbid 10.
My work is lecturing to accounts with millions of viewers, but it did not give any response, no public outcry: people looking at the photo in the tape and forget about it after a few seconds.
whether in the creative development, photography clubs, given that you are the organizer of one of them?
Michael Giragosian: international photo club, which I supervise, is different from most others. For the half year of its existence, we sent photos of both professionals and Amateurs. Show work beginners – the main objective of our photo club, which distinguishes it from serious organizations which can publish only previously spent ten years in study and practice. In instagram ACCaunte club, we put the pictures of authors at different levels to give a boost to beginners, thus fell into the ranks of the pros. I remember the delight when my photos were published in different clubs, community – like 10 birthdays in one day happened! It is very motivated.
it is Important that not all the photo clubs there is a friendly atmosphere that stimulates creativity. Each gives valuable advice, envy, criticize. It can break the budding photographer who still has no inner core.
in this case, it is really necessary for those who want to succeed in photography?
Michael Giragosian: to truly develop in this area, it is necessary, first, to search for topics that are popular, which is the soul. Second, before shooting you should always ask yourself the question: why did you shoot and for whom. If only for myself, not for people, you can and topics not to come up and just hang on the camera to make shots of a tourist.
of Course, in the beginning of my career I want to remove all want quick fame. I used to think the climax of success your picture on the cover of Vogue magazine. Now I understand that success is a good social project, which can see many people, having something new and interesting for yourself.
