Critique

Portfolio: Roman Kanashchuk

In our "Portfolio" section, young photographers put their work on display and answer questions from the editors. In today's issue, we have a young photographer from Moscow who captures youth and street life on his phone camera.

Roman Kanashchuk 31 years old

Graduated from Moscow State Industrial University. Has worked for ZiLe and for wine and art journals. Was a photographer and editor for Kommersant newspaper. Winner and laureate of the “Silver Camera” Grand-Prix. Has exhibited in Moscow, Paris, Düsseldorf and Berlin.

How did you become interested in photography?
My father was given a soap-dish, a Canon A330, for his birthday about ten years ago. My dad needed this like a cow needs a saddle, so I pressed the shutter a few times and decided to look into this. To this day I’m still interested and still pressing the shutter.


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What do you shoot?
I shoot life while I still have the opportunity.
Why do you think that photography is your “thing?”
Because I’m in love with it, and really, I’ve never thought about it and never imagined such a question. I do what I love. Don’t think, just film! And what for? This is a different question.
What do you think makes a photograph great?
The photographer’s chemistry. And also, thought and luck.
As a photographer, what kind of difficulties do you face?
People who don’t understand why you are shooting them. They provoke you to give them an explanation and reasoning when it isn’t necessary. I also face a time problem — they keep running away!


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Who or what inspires you?
Love.
What: Movies, reading, women, when the trump suit turns up, eyes, obsessions, pain, dreams and silence.
Who: Friends, Kubrick, Balabanov, Von Trier, Winogrand, Mukhin, Bashlachov, Letov, Tsoi, and many more.

What do you use to shoot?
My phone (Samsung has a great camera) and a Canon Mark II, which is what I’m using right now. Before, I used a lot of film, like Zenith, FED, Leica, as usual.
Do you make enough money doing photography to live?
Before, yes. Now, not really, and I’m looking for work. Freelancers don’t make much money, but I’m optimistic!
What else interests you?
Film, techno, my dog (Grusha), my cat (Lukas), death, people, sex, chemicals, the mind, lies, the underground, hockey, football, goalies, and eternal questions, like how many fish are in the sea and who let the dogs out?
What kinds of goals do you set for yourself?
My own. They aren’t in front of me — they are beside me and we are friends with one another. From my high-level goals, if I ever become a father, I would like to have twins: two girls. My genes tell me that this is possible. From a low-level point of view, I would like to have a permanent salary or find a treasure. Fix my teeth. Stop being lazy. And, continue to smile, live and take pictures.


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