GILTMAN B. ALEKSANDR

“Doing an interview requires more work of me than doing average post on Pineapple, but that’s what I like the best.” – thats what I said few weeks ago, and I like to keep my promises. Here is a new interview, this time with a great Russian photographer, Giltman B. Aleksandr. Not much is sertain in life, but that you will love it for sure. To be continued…

Could we start with some background information about you? Where you grew up, where you are based, how did you get interested in photography?
I was born and raised in Russia, in the western part of Siberia, in a small provincial town. All my childhood I was engaged in art (piano, choreography, vocals, etc.). Having received a passport at the age of 14, I immediately left for a big city and entered a music college. All my adult life, I devoted myself to art, in one way or another. I tried to study all types of activities as professionally as possible in order to achieve certain heights.

For me, art has always been a duty, although it did not bother me.

At a certain moment, I decided that I needed a hobby in order not to set goals, without obligations, to enjoy the process and not think about what I do in terms of canons and rules. I chose photography and started trying it out little by little. Having decided on the genre of Nu-Art, I began to invite friends who are bolder and open to experiments; and I will always be grateful to them. Before that, my job was connected with photo and video work, but not as a photgrapher but rather as an organizer. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what prompted me to take photography, I think it happened by itself, because of my environment and my boyfriend, who is associated with photography. There is a saying here: “Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are”.

Russia is not known to be the freest country in the world. What is the relationship between your creativity and your motherland?Unfortunately it is not. But this does not mean that we are not fighting for freedom. Now people are becoming much stronger and more self-confident through the rapid dissemination of information and mutual support. I think that partly my activity is all about protesting the situation not only in my country, but in the world as a whole. For me, there is no question of how people look if they are honest, open and peaceful. Yes, for many, especially in Russia, a nude body is considered obscene and even offensive. This is all from the inherent stereotypes in society.

We must learn to love ourselves as we are, regardless of gender, nationality, orientation, age, social status, physicalcharacteristics and religion. And you need to start with yourself.

And also, due to photography, people can clearly understand that everyone is special and beautiful in their own way. The more people see that, the more the frame work of prejudice is erased.

Have you ever gotten into any trouble beacause of your work? I am lucky so far. I work with great people. And I do not take into account the technical issues with location ortechnology, this is not a problem. I haven’t experienced any extreme social backlash as well. But I believe this to be pure luck. Many people are much less lucky than me.

What is the best thing to being a photographer? Communication with people, a charge of new energy and subsequently, pleasant friendships and mutual assistance. Of course, the reviews from models after they see the photos is also kind of dope!

Do you remember what it was like to photograph someone nude for the first time? How much did you and the model take for granted? I started shooting not so long ago. About 2 years. I remember every shoot well, including the first. I have never felt embarrassed or uncomfortable. On the contrary, I tried to create the most comfortable and protected environment, so that the models were free in actions and emotions. The publication of photos on Instagram was received quite positively and each time more and more excellent reviews and comments from subscribers came. Thanks to the comments, many models began to feel more confident and freer.

How is the process during a regulal shoot with you. Do you tell to models specifically what to do? It all depends on the situation. If the preparation for shooting goes according to my plan, then I pre-set the model for certain actions, drawing up a plan (script) of the shooting and only coordinate a little during the process. Simultaneously preparing (adjusting) to the location of the selected model. This is a very important part of the preparation and the model chooses where the shooting will take place in order to feel as comfortable and protectedas possible.

What is the topic you love best photograph and why? I like everything to be natural, without artificial setting and interior. So that the light always plays for the benefit and emphasizes the structure of the body. The atmosphere is important.

What is the compliment you would most like to hear about your photos? It is important for me that people see the beauty that I see. So that they understand how much everyone is different and beautiful in their own way. And of course, when I am compared to an artist, let’s be honest.

What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself as an artist since you started photography? That I can do something useful and important for others. That everything I can do can benefit people.

You seem to love being in front of the camera too. if someone asks you to take a picture, why do you sayyes or no? Oh YES!)) I’m not ashamed of the camera or public speaking at all. This has been brought up in me since childhood. I’m not ashamed of the fact that I love attention and when someone invites me to participatein a project, I do not refuse. At the very least, I am grateful to those people who offer me, pay attention to me and want to work with me, creating something special. It’s great! Therefore, everything related to art is always “YES”.

What do you do during your free-time for yourself? The same as everyone, I guess. Friends, walks, movies, gym, music and of course household chores.

What you would most like to do in five years? Performing in musical theater on Broadway. My main dream! But I would really like to do something special for people, for LGBTQ +. I think that you need to try to be useful and try to inspire something special.