Alexey Titarenko
Alexey Titarenko was born in Leningrad in 1962, he is a Russian photographer known for his black and white photographs that explore themes such as time, memory, decay, and the passage of time. He developed an interest in photography at an early age and conducted academic research at the Leningrad Academy of Film, Drama, and Music. Titalenko captures the landscape of post Soviet life through prolonged exposure and motion blur, creating ghostly and dreamlike characters in urban environments. His groundbreaking series of works, such as “City of Shadows” and “Black and White Magic of St. Petersburg,” document the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the immortal spirit of his hometown. Through his poetic yet unforgettable imagery, Titarenko deeply contemplated the brevity of life, earning him international acclaim and exhibiting at renowned institutions such as the International Photography Center and the National Library of France. The photo in the top left corner depicts a black and white theme of portraying long exposure technique, capturing motion blur in the movements of people. The contrast between the blurred movement and sharp focused objects adds depth and a sense of motion to this photo. Compared to blurry characters, the central character appears slightly static and may attract the audience’s attention in chaos. The black and white format enhances the atmosphere, endowing the image with an eternal and contemplative quality. This ambiguity evokes a sense of transience and impermanence, reflecting the fast-paced modern urban life.
Trent Parke
Citation:
“Alexey Titarenko.” Alexey Titarenko, www.alexeytitarenko.com/#/cityofshadows.
Magnum Photos. “Trent Parke • Photographer Profile • Magnum Photos.” Magnum Photos, 26 June 2024, www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/trent-parke.
Photography West Incorporated. “Alexey Titarenko – Photography West.” Photography West, 29 Oct. 2023, photographywest.com/artists/alexey-titarenko.
Wikipedia contributors. “Trent Parke.” Wikipedia, 14 Aug. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trent_Parke.