"A photo essay should have the author's 'ears' sticking out": Gosha Bergal on his approach to photography

Contents:

• "If you can shoot street photography, you can also work with photo reportages and portraits"
• "A photographer doesn't need to be a participant in events - he should be an impartial observer"
• "The mistake many photographers make is thinking that they can do everything already"

Gosha Bergal is a professional photographer specializing in the documentary genre. He creates photo essays and fashion shoots, demonstrating a unique style and creative approach. In addition to his practice, Gosha conducts master classes at the Perspektiva photo lab, sharing his expertise with aspiring photographers. He also teaches the "Photographer Profession" course at Skillbox, teaching students the basics of photography and modern shooting techniques.

In the interview, Gosha shared his thoughts and experiences. He discussed significant moments in his career, personal achievements, and plans for the future. Gosha also touched on the creative process and inspiration that drive him to create unique projects. His words reflect a deep passion for art and a desire for continuous development. This conversation provides an opportunity to better understand what drives Gosha as an artist and a person.

• about the metaphysical in his career;
• about how street photography teaches work in all genres;
• about how empathy can ruin a shot;
• and about the appropriateness of creativity in documentary photography.

My first successful photo series became a significant stage in my creative career. In this series, I sought to convey the emotion and atmosphere of the moment, using natural light and interesting angles. Each image was carefully considered to highlight the uniqueness of the subject. As a result of publishing this series on various platforms, I received positive feedback and noticeable attention from the audience. This experience became an incentive for further development and experimentation in photography, opening new horizons for creativity and self-expression.

I am sure that this is Toxic Trip. It was with him that I won first place in the Contemporary Issues category at the Slavic Art Week in Berlin.

This series presents seven photographs of a friend of mine who suffers from addiction. In one of them, he plays the flute, and in the others, he is depicted in the process of inhaling glue. Interestingly, when I submitted this work to the competition, the committee members expressed doubts about its acceptability and advised me to suggest something else. I followed their recommendation, but in the end, my work was accepted to the Toxic Trip competition. I don’t know what changed their minds, but, as I already mentioned, my work won a prize.

Are there other significant projects that might interest you?

I received a photograph that radically changed the way I perceive myself. One day, while walking in the park with a friend, I took a picture of her next to a bust of Stalin and posted it on Instagram. Some time later, I received a message in English offering to buy the image for two hundred euros. At first, I took it for spam and ignored the offer, thinking, "What two hundred euros?"

They messaged me repeatedly, and on the third or fourth try, I decided to use Google Translate. Eventually, I learned the emails were from the German magazine Neon Magazine. They wanted to use my photo to illustrate one of their political articles. This is how my photo first appeared in a foreign publication.

How did they hear about you?

They have a specialist who scours the internet for interesting works by photographers. He probably stumbled upon my work. I believe that coincidences are not random, and that love, karma, and metaphysical connections exist in life. I have projects that reflect these ideas.

I want to share the story of my pet, whom I found in the entryway of my building during a difficult time. At that time, I was facing certain difficulties, and fate brought me together with this dog. He had a wound on one of his paws that was bleeding and starting to fester. This circumstance made our meeting even more meaningful, as we both needed support and care.

I took him in, provided medical care, and sent him for an X-ray. The results showed that he had a broken left knee, and a special metal structure was installed to restore it. Surprisingly, I also have problems with my left knee joint, and I need a supporting structure. At that moment, I realized that our similarity was not accidental. We can support and help each other in the recovery process.

After this situation, I created a series of photographs illustrating the bond between humans and animals. It is said that pets often resemble their owners. In one photo, my dog ​​is standing on a scale; in the next, I am on the same scale. Then his toys are shown next to my cigarettes, and then his teeth and mine. These images highlight the unique bond between us, reflecting our shared traits and habits.

This work also has a supernatural aspect. At first glance, it might seem like I saved him; without me, he probably wouldn't have survived the winter. However, in reality, it's difficult to determine which of us was more essential at that moment. It was important for me to take care of someone, and it gave me strength.

I am a co-founder of the "Trigger" project. The idea for the project arose from a desire to offer an innovative solution in a field related to our experience and passions. We noticed a gap in the market and decided to combine our efforts to develop a product that would meet user needs. Our project is focused on providing high-quality and relevant content, which allows us to stand out from the competition. In working on "Kurok," we focus on modern technologies and feedback from our audience, which contributes to the constant improvement and development of our offering.

We met Natasha Rubina at one of our photo shoots. During our conversation, we learned that we both strive to develop our professional skills: Natasha wants to improve her writing skills, and I want to improve my photography. We decided to collaborate in a real-life setting to enrich our portfolios with high-quality material.

We decided to focus on creating portraits of people who live or work in the Kurskaya metro station area. We are confident that the most interesting personalities live here, as the area is famous for its creative locations. We began recording interviews with them about significant moments in their lives, personal turning points, and important events. These stories provide a deeper understanding of each person's uniqueness and the atmosphere of the neighborhood.

The Artplay neighborhood is home to many interesting characters. Artists, photographers, and actors interact here, as well as interact with the elderly and homeless. This space has become a hub for cultural encounters and exchanges, attracting those seeking new locations for inspiration and creativity. Artplay continues to be a unique platform for communication and self-expression.

"Trigger" was originally conceived as an ambitious challenge: the goal was to publish 365 posts in a year, one every day. However, only 200 publications were ultimately achieved. After enrolling in Igor Mukhin's Rodchenko School, the time for the project was shortened, and the remaining 165 posts were published over the course of a year and a half.

"If you can shoot street photography, you can work with photo reportages and portraits."

My passion for photography began in childhood, when I first picked up a camera. From then on, I began to notice how unique moments and emotions can be captured through a lens. I began to explore various shooting and lighting techniques, which allowed me to develop my skills. Photography is not just a hobby for me, but a way of self-expression and an opportunity to share my vision of the world with others. Over time, I realized that photography helps me convey feelings and tell stories, which became the main motive for my creativity.

As a child, I was attracted to two things: extreme sports and photography. I successfully combined these passions, capturing moments when my friends and I were skateboarding or getting into various pranks. Photography became a way for me to preserve vivid memories and convey the atmosphere of activity and freedom that extreme sports provided.

I didn't have a successful career with extreme sports: I injured my knee and couldn't walk or skateboard for a long time. As a result, I had a lot of free time, and I began to seriously pursue photography. I studied its history and understood how cameras work. This passion captivated me so much that I continue to develop in this direction to this day.

At first, I was truly fascinated by street photography. This genre became a source of inspiration for me and an opportunity to capture unique moments of everyday life. Street photography allows me to see the world from a new perspective, capturing fleeting emotions and human interactions. I value the opportunity to convey the atmosphere of the city and its dynamics through the camera lens, as well as to explore the various social aspects that manifest themselves in ordinary scenes. This passion has become not only a creative expression for me, but also a way to better understand the world around me.

I've always been drawn to the people and events around me, and that's what I capture in my photographs. I deeply value the authenticity of real people and the naturalness of events, as this doesn't happen in staged fashion shoots. Furthermore, street photography is an ideal skill development, allowing me to better understand light, composition, and interaction with my subjects.

How to do this?

When I'm walking and photographing, I have the opportunity to pay attention to every element of the frame: angles, diagonals, light, and subjects. This time allows me to develop my skills and accumulate compositional solutions. As a result, when I take commercial commissions, it is much easier for me to create high-quality photographs. Moreover, unlike street photography, people are happy to pose at events, which makes the task even easier and allows you to focus on creating impressive images.

For me, street photography is the foundation for other genres. I believed that to achieve high-quality photographs, you need to focus on one direction. Isn't that true?

Focusing on two or three areas of photography is entirely possible. For example, if you have experience in street photography, you can successfully engage in photo reportage and portraiture. At the same time, weddings and corporate events will be a breeze for you. This approach will allow you to develop your skills and offer a variety of services to clients, which will significantly increase your competitiveness in the market.

Beginning photographers should not limit themselves to one area. It is important to explore different directions and try your hand at them. During the first five years of my practice, I immersed myself in a variety of genres, including macro, portrait, and sports photography. This experience enriched my skills and knowledge. Studying the history of photography, theory, and the physical processes involved is also essential. This comprehensive approach will help develop a unique style and enhance your photography skills.

"A photographer should not be a participant in events—he should be an impartial observer."

To create high-quality photographs, you need to master several key skills. First, it is important to understand the basics of composition, such as the rule of thirds and the use of lines to create depth. Second, knowledge of the basics of working with lighting is crucial. Understanding how natural and artificial light affect an image will help you achieve the desired effect. Technical skills, including the ability to use camera settings, are also critical. Knowledge of exposure, ISO, and white balance will allow you to better control the final result. Equally important is developing a sense of style and the ability to convey emotion through photography. Practice and constant analysis of your work will help improve the quality of your photographs and develop a personal approach to creating images.

There was a moment in my life that clearly demonstrated the skills I needed to develop as a photographer. This experience became an important lesson for me and set me on the path to professional excellence.

One day, I found myself in a hospital where a gravely ill grandfather lay in the next bed, and his wife, who had given up hope for his recovery, sat next to him. This scene touched me, and I felt a desire to capture their story. I had my Zenit camera with me, and although it was not the most appropriate moment for photography, I plucked up my courage and asked permission to take a picture. They agreed, and I captured this touching moment.

Over time, I realized that the resulting photograph was unsuccessful: it did not convey the atmosphere, emotions, and mood of the people in the photograph. This is due to the fact that I was too emotionally involved in what was happening. It's important for a photographer to remain an impartial observer, not a participant, in order to create a truly expressive and memorable photograph.

After an incident, I strive to remain neutral throughout my work, sometimes even acting cool. This allows me to regroup and calmly apply my skills, focusing on composition and key details. Even though I continue to empathize with my subjects, I realize the importance of distance in order to achieve the desired results in my work.

Perhaps the reason is that you asked your subjects for permission to shoot. You yourself mention outside observation, which can influence how you perceive what is happening.

I adhere to the principles of professional ethics and oppose aggressive intervention in other people's space. However, there are exceptions. Sometimes a situation requires an immediate response, and it is important to capture the moment before it disappears. If I intend to create a portrait of a stranger or recreate a certain state, I strive to establish rapport with the model. I explain why I need this image and what its meaning is. Most often, I take refusals calmly and do not dwell on it - I simply continue to search for new ideas and subjects for my work.

Searching for information on the Internet can be effective if you use the right methods. First, identify keywords that accurately reflect your topic. Use search engines by entering these words in the search bar. Additionally, refine your queries with operators like «AND», «OR», and quotation marks for exact phrase matches. Also consider using specialized resources and databases that can offer more targeted results. Remember to vet sources for reliability and relevance to ensure you're getting quality information.

I stick to my strategy: I immediately introduce myself as Gosha Bergal and talk about my project, which is dedicated to Moscow. I notice that some photographers sometimes lie, claiming to shoot for Parisian magazines or something similar. However, I prefer to be honest. Because of this honesty, I never promise people they'll look beautiful in photographs. I explain right away what exactly attracted me to their image—whether it's their roughness, gray hair, or a mole. Then I ask permission to photograph and inquire about their lives to better understand who is in front of me.

After the conversation, most people relax and assume a comfortable pose. If this does not happen, I help find the correct head tilt, as well as a comfortable position of the arms, legs, and shoulders. By constantly observing people's behavior, it is easy for me to explain how to stand in a way that looks natural. My goal is to help everyone feel confident and comfortable in any situation.

Have you ever been in a situation where you realized you can't publish a photo?

I worked with the Andrey Rylkov Foundation, which is recognized as a foreign agent in Russia, and documented the life of a mother of many children suffering from drug addiction. We spoke with her and her family and noted that they have a strong relationship that could be threatened if we published the photos. It's important to keep in mind that drugs are a taboo subject in Russia, and there's a risk that her children could be taken away from her. To ensure their safety, we've decided to publish only those photos in which her face is hidden.

"The mistake many photographers make is thinking they can do everything already."

Creativity plays a vital role in photojournalism and documentary photography. It allows you to not only capture events but also convey the emotional coloring, atmosphere, and context of the event. The use of creative techniques such as composition, light, and color helps create a deeper perception of the image.

Documentary photography, although focused on truthfulness, can be enriched with artistic elements, which makes it more appealing to the viewer. Therefore, creativity in these genres is not only appropriate but also necessary for conveying complex stories and ideas.

Photo essays imbued with creative solutions can evoke strong emotions and provoke thought, making them more memorable and meaningful. A creative approach in such works allows photographers to stand out and attract the attention of a wider audience.

Of course, images without the author's personal touch become dry and formal. This does not imply the need for deception—I insist on honesty. A reportage becomes interesting when the author's individuality is felt. In this context, it is worth noting that the large number of amateur photographers contributes to the development of professionals, who strive to create more captivating and unique images, mastering new techniques and methods. This difference between professionals and amateurs underscores the importance of a personal touch in photography.

How did you grow those "ears" on your own?

The Snob editorial team has an interesting story related to my experience photographing a Moscow protest. Initially, I was inspired by the idea and began to consider how I could use the footage for my personal creative project about life in Moscow. For this project, I typically work with film, whereas reportage requires a digital camera. This presented me with a dilemma: shoot in my own unique style for personal purposes or fulfill a commission and be compensated. Unfortunately, combining both approaches was not an option, as carrying two cameras would have been inconvenient.

I pondered for a long time how to approach the shoot, as the urge to eat something is always present. However, I decided to shoot as I saw fit and informed the editorial team. Ultimately, when the Snob editorial team saw the results of my work, they purchased my photographs. Later, these shots were published not only in Moscow publications, but also in European media.

Why were they accepted despite the fact that they do not fit the traditional reportage format?

Modern photo services no longer surprise with the variety of artists ready to capture important moments. However, the true value of photography lies not only in documenting an event, but also in the photographer's ability to convey their unique point of view. A photograph becomes a living narrative that reflects the author's personality and their view of the world. This creates a deep connection between the viewer and the image, turning it into a true work of art.

Rejecting projects is a common practice in our industry. It is often necessary to say "no" due to various factors, such as mismatched expectations, lack of resources, or the impracticality of collaboration. Learning to say "no" is an important skill that allows you to focus on truly promising and suitable projects and maintain high standards of work. Complex decisions in this area can significantly impact the future development of a business and its reputation.

I rarely turn down photo projects, as I came to photography out of my passion for this art. I am interested in everything related to photography: textures, images, the play of light and its reflection on a surface. This passion drives me to participate in various projects and experiments, which allows me to constantly develop and deepen my knowledge in this field.

I worked at the Sofrino art and production enterprise, which belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church. For two years, I photographed artisans creating church utensils, as well as icon painters. This experience turned out to be important for me, despite the fact that I am not a religious person. My work allowed me to immerse myself in the unique atmosphere of traditional crafts and capture the skill of people who dedicated their lives to creating spiritual values.

For beginning photographers, in addition to practice and finding their own style, studying the theory of photography is an important aspect. Understanding the basics of composition, lighting, and color will help improve the quality of your photographs. It's also recommended to analyze the work of renowned photographers for inspiration and to learn from their experience.

Don't forget that working with equipment also plays a key role. Learning the functions of your camera and different lenses will give you greater control over the shooting process. Additionally, participating in photo shoots and competitions can help expand your horizons and receive feedback from more experienced colleagues.

It's important to actively use social media and photography platforms to promote your work. This will not only help you find your audience but also get advice from other professionals. Regularly update your portfolio and share new projects to attract attention and develop in your chosen field.

• Get an education. Being an amateur photographer is great, but if you want to be called a professional, be kind enough to study. The mistake many photographers make is thinking they already know everything. "Pay me money, and as much as I can." But you don't need a lot of intelligence to take photos: just press a button. Photography is about something else: the ability to communicate and negotiate with people, knowledge of history, technique and technology, as well as the visual and expressive means of photography, and life experience. And I advise you to remember that photography is a young art form. We have only discovered a few genres, and there is so much unexplored!
• It's normal to worry. Even I worry. But to get more interesting and unique shots, you have to overcome yourself.
• Google it! 🙂 The internet is full of great free information. I've done a lot of my own research, so I recommend it to you too.
• Follow contemporary photographers to understand what's valued now. For example, I like Danila Tkachenko. He has his own recognizable style, and that's great. He did a photo project in which he set fire to an abandoned village to draw attention to the depopulation of villages in Russia. I recommend checking out the winners of various photography competitions and studying their work: the websites of the Union of Photo Artists of Russia and Artnagrady are helpful here. Come up with your own creative projects: that's how we did "Kurok" back in the day. You'll meet people, build connections, and be invited to interesting events. I still collaborate with people I knew from the "Kurka" days.