This photographer from St. Petersburg is known not only in our country. He conducts wonderful wedding photo sessions both in Russia and abroad, and in addition, creates beautiful portraits that involve the viewer in the scene and seem to transport him into the reality created by the author.
- Please tell us how you discovered the world of photography and how long ago you started taking photographs?
I have been photographing relatively recently, although photography constantly accompanies me in life; Previously, it was more of an experiment, I was curious about taking pictures, but I think first of all I discovered photography thanks to the Internet: I saw what it could be, and it really fascinated me.
I've always wanted to make films; photography is also a way to tell a story, although there are different rules, but still.
- Did you study photography independently or professionally?
The study took place on the Internet, I independently learned the basics and mysteries of craftsmanship, visited numerous photo resources, read objective and not so critical criticism, and looked for opportunities to reflect my perception of the world, images and states.
- Why are you interested in the genre of portrait photography?
This is a complex and most fascinating genre of photography. I find photographing people very interesting; I like to communicate, to reveal or find myself reflected in other people. Capturing such unnoticed moments of a real person is difficult.
- Your work is very famous abroad. What do you think are the characteristics of your style?
I don't think it has any special features. Style is handwriting, technique and techniques, an angle of view on things and those topics that concern you; all this in one form or another is reflected in the works.
- How important is Photoshop in your work?
Photoshop is often the final stage of finishing a photo, placing accents, emotional direction with the help of color solutions; I use all this out of necessity; sometimes the presence of Photoshop in a photograph is minimal.
- Do you organize master classes? What are you trying to teach first?
Yes, right now my team and I are planning to launch a series of original master classes in the form of separate thematic workshops, which will highlight my approaches to shooting and photo processing techniques. I will try to show ways to find ways to express yourself, your ideas and the ability to implement them, search for sources of inspiration, and form your own style.
- What project are you working on now?
I just finished working on the Twentieth Winter project. This is the personal twentieth winter of a young Minsk woman, with all the existential problems that it brings with it: cold, anxiety, sadness and loneliness. There is nothing magical or fabulous here. This is one of the understandings of our reality, albeit a hopeless one.
- Very often portraitists joke that portrait photography begins with “Helios”. Do you agree?
Perhaps yes. “Helios” is associated with portraits for me; it is my first and, in the recent past, frequently used lens.
- What character traits do you think a photographer should have in the first place?
Curiosity and openness to new things; excitement; sociability, or more precisely, the ability to win over a person; self-criticism; perseverance and perseverance; a sense of humor, I think, won't hurt.
- Where do you find inspiration and sources of ideas for your photographs?
Inspiration arises everywhere, it is caused by any events in life, cinema, music, a change in the usual, travel, meeting and communicating with people.
- If photography didn’t exist, what do you think you would have become?
An artist or musician.
- What does photography mean to you?
This is a way of life, my condition, searching for answers to questions, meeting new people, traveling, in a word, my life.
- Can you give some advice to beginning photographers?
Experiment and practice constantly. Don't give up in the face of difficulties, keep moving, don't stop halfway. Express yourself, look for yourself in photography, your topic, where you can express yourself fully.
Questionnaire. about the author
First name, last name, age: Vitaly Kurets, 33 years old.
Exhibitions, awards, achievements: personal photo exhibition “Feeling of Silence” in Minsk in 2010, laureate of the national award “Best Photographer - 2011”.
Inspiration: travel, communication with interesting people.
Best advice: shoot for your own pleasure.
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Russian civilization is one of the largest civilizational communities in Eurasia. In Eurasia, the civilizational development of mankind has reached its maximum concentration, where the maximum diversity of its models has emerged, including the interaction of East and West. The multi-ethnicity and multi-confessional nature of Russia have made self-identification and “choice” difficult in the Eurasian space. Russia is characterized by the absence of a monolithic spiritual and value core, a “split” between traditional and liberal-modernist values, and a transformation of the ethnic principle. Hence the problems with national civilizational identity, one might say there is an identity crisis. Belonging to the Russian civilization of many peoples, different religions is predetermined by the fact that they live together for a long time on a certain Eurasian territory, they are connected by centuries-old spiritual, social, human ties, joint creation of cultural values and state structures, their common protection, common troubles and successes - all this affirmed among the large and multi-confessional population a sense of involvement in the destinies of Russia, a number of common ideas, preferences, and orientations that became deep for the psychology of Russian ethno-confessional communities. The contribution of Russian civilization to the universal human treasure is primarily of a spiritual and cultural nature, manifesting itself in literature, moral and humanistic concepts, a special type of human solidarity, various types of art, and so on. It is precisely when relating, comparing the values of one civilization with the achievements of other civilizations that one most often encounters biased approaches and assessments. It is impossible to judge civilization by the specific socio-economic and political system of society, attributing their inherent vices and shortcomings to the essence of the life of Russian society. Civilization factors are long-term in nature and are reflected in cultural, religious, ethical characteristics, historical traditions, and mentality. It is necessary to take into account the differences between today's short-term needs and conditions and long-term ideas and interests, as well as the differences between ideologically neutral national interests and the ideological and political orientations and party preferences of individual social groups. With any model of social development, stability in Russia cannot be achieved without taking into account the peculiarities of its civilizational development: the idea of the priority of the interests of society, the spiritual factor, the special role of the state, harsh natural and climatic conditions, colossal distances, when natural resources are located where there is no population. It is necessary to combine traditional domestic culture and the value of modernization. It is advisable to implement the values and norms achieved by modern world civilization through domestic forms of social life.
Question 01. Which powers created the most extensive colonial empires? Find their possessions on the map.
Answer. Great Britain had the most extensive possessions. France also created a considerable colonial empire, but it lagged far behind.
Question 02. Tell us about the colonial policy of Great Britain. Expand the concepts of “dominion”, “colony”, “protectorate” and give examples.
Answer. Great Britain sought to obtain resources from its colonies and sell them its own products; this entailed economic dependence, but political dependence was not necessary. A classic colony presupposes complete control of the metropolis over a certain territory, but by the beginning of the twentieth century, Great Britain had lost interest in this form of dependence. She turned her most developed colonies into dominions - that is, territories with broad autonomy. Their supreme ruler remained the British monarch, whose power was exercised by the governor-general, but the bulk of current issues were decided by local self-government. Later, the dominions, as a result of peaceful evolution, became independent states. Newly subjugated territories were often made protectorates, that is, the local government was not displaced, but all issues of domestic and foreign policy were decided for them by Great Britain, whose interests were represented by special advisers to the government. This meant the adoption of a number of trade agreements with the mother country. Thus, the territory could be exploited economically with minimal effort and military intervention.
Question 03. What features of the colonial policy of France, the USA, Germany, and Japan can you name?
Answer. After the Napoleonic Wars, France created its colonial empire largely anew. The USA, Germany and Japan took over their colonies after the British and French empires had already been formed. Because of this, they mostly got territories with underdeveloped peoples.
Question 04. What arguments were given in European countries in favor of colonial conquests? Do you agree with them?
Answer. The Europeans claimed that they were bringing the achievements of civilization, Christianity and scientific and technological progress to underdeveloped peoples. They were also proud of the eradication of wild local customs (such as the self-immolation of widows in India) and the end of bloody inter-tribal feuds. In my opinion, the eradication of local cultures can hardly be called a good thing. But on the other hand, the colonialists really did not allow the local tribes to fight each other. For example, if the colonial empires had been preserved, the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda, which claimed up to a million lives in 100 days in 1994, would not have been possible.
Question 05. What were the causes of economic crises? In which countries and how often did they occur? Why did crises become international in nature?
Answer. Crises arose in industrialized countries due to overproduction. In a market economy, price is a balance between supply and demand. At a certain time, so much product is produced that this balance turns out to be below cost, that is, the enterprise is forced to either sell its products at a loss, or set high prices for which no one bought the products. As a result, the losses bankrupted many businesses. The crises became international, since the economies of these states were interconnected. Surplus products, which entrepreneurs sought to get rid of as quickly as possible, were supplied to foreign countries at dumping (artificially low) prices. As a result, their markets were also overstocked, and the crisis began in new countries.
Question 06. What contradictions existed in the world at the beginning of the 20th century? Why do you think their peaceful solution was impossible?
Answer. Controversies:
1) the struggle for markets and sources of raw materials (that is, colonies, which Germany especially needed);
2) Franco-German contradictions due to France’s desire for revenge for the Franco-Prussian War;
3) a large knot of contradictions has developed on the Balkan Peninsula;
4) Great Britain tried with all its might to maintain its complete dominance at sea, which Germany dreamed of shaking.
I think these contradictions could have been resolved peacefully, but few people wanted to do this. Europe missed a big war, like the Napoleonic war; many wanted it, not only among politicians, but also among ordinary people, among the younger generation, who were looking for loud epithets like “iron”. Therefore, the news of the beginning of World War I caused enthusiasm everywhere. The inhabitants did not understand how a big war between powerful industrialized and technically developed states would turn out.
1. Name the main characteristics of flowering plants.
The main feature of this group is the presence of flowers and angiosperms. Flowering plants are characterized by intense metabolism, rapid accumulation of organic matter during photosynthesis, the formation of various biologically active substances, rapid growth and, as a result, adaptability to a wide variety of environmental conditions. The development of male and female gametophytes in angiosperms is extremely reduced: they are represented by only some parts of the flower - the embryo sac located in the ovule and the mature pollen grain. Ovules (ovules), unlike gymnosperms, are enclosed in the cavity of the ovary (hence the name of the department - angiosperms). They are characterized by double fertilization. Tracheids are replaced by vessels, which facilitates the passage of water and increases adaptability to life on land.
2. Tell us about the structure of a flower. What is the meaning of the flower? Give examples of inflorescences.
The flower is a modified shoot. Despite the huge variety of flower shapes, common features can be found in their structure. The flower develops on a peduncle, which expands into a receptacle on which the rest of its parts are formed. A calyx is formed from small green leaves - sepals, and a corolla is formed from brightly colored petals. They protect the main parts of the flower - the pistil and stamens from mechanical damage, and the corolla of insect-pollinated plants also attracts insects. Stamens consist of filaments and an anther, where pollen is produced. The pistil has a wide ovary, a thin style and a stigma. Fruits develop from the ovary. Some angiosperms have bisexual flowers, that is, they have both pistil and stamens, while others have either female - pistillate, or male - staminate flowers. In the latter case, either flowers of one sex or both together can develop on one plant. Many plants, such as gladioli, hyacinths, asters, and dahlias, have flowers collected in inflorescences.
3. What is a fruit? Make a table “Types of fruits and their organization.”
A fruit is an organ of flowering plants that develops from a flower and serves to protect and distribute seeds. One or more parts of the flower take part in the formation of fruits: the pistil, the bases of the stamens, petals and sepals, as well as the receptacle. Depending on the consistency of the fruit parts, they are divided into juicy and dry.
Juicy fruits: berries (currants, gooseberries, actinidia, etc.), juicy drupes (raspberries, blackberries), apples, achenes (strawberries, strawberries).
Dry fruits: nuts (hazel, hazelnut, chestnut, pistachio), dry drupes (walnuts, almonds).
4. How is the ovule of angiosperms protected?
The ovule of angiosperms is protected from adverse effects by the ovary.
5. What function does the fetus perform?
A fruit is an organ of angiosperms that participates in the dissemination of seeds, protecting them from the effects of environmental factors.
6. What life forms are found in plants?
The entire variety of flowering plants can be reduced to two main types - woody (trees and shrubs) and herbaceous. The herbaceous life form, characteristic of most angiosperms, is characterized by higher adaptability to sharp fluctuations in environmental conditions than the woody one.
7. What classes are the angiosperms divided into? Give a comparative description of monocotyledons and dicotyledons.
Angiosperms are divided into two classes: Monocots and Dicotyledons. In monocots, as the name implies, the seed embryo contains one cotyledon - the first leaf of the plant. In addition, monocots differ significantly from dicots in a number of characteristics: 1) they have a fibrous root system; 2) leaves are mostly simple, with arcuate or parallel arrangement of veins; 3) flowers of a three-membered type, i.e. the number of their sepals, petals and stamens is usually a multiple of three. A systematic feature of dicotyledons is the presence of two cotyledons in the embryo. Other distinctive features of dicotyledons are the following: 1) the root system is taprooted, with developed lateral roots; 2) leaves, both simple and complex, the venation is reticulate, only in a small number of species the venation is different; 3) flowers of the five- and four-membered type (i.e., the number of sepals, petals and stamens is a multiple of four or five); 4) the endosperm in ripened seeds is well expressed in a number of families (Solanaceae, Umbelliferae, etc.), but in legumes, Asteraceae and others (for example, beans, peas, sunflowers) it is poorly developed or completely absent, and reserve nutrients are located directly in the cotyledons embryo.
8. Offer your options for classification of angiosperms. What criterion do you base each of them on?
Classification depending on the life form of the plant: trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers.
9. What features of angiosperms do you think allowed them to occupy a dominant position among plants?
Flowering plants are characterized by double fertilization, which results in the formation of a zygote and a cell from which the endosperm is subsequently formed. In angiosperms, the simultaneous development of the embryo and endosperm avoids unnecessary waste of plastic substances and energy if the embryo is not formed. The seeds are enclosed in the fruit and are reliably protected from adverse environmental conditions. What helped angiosperms take a leading position among plants.
10. Using additional literature and Internet resources, develop a winter garden project in accordance with aesthetic ideas about the design of premises.
A winter garden is a heated room with natural light, designed to accommodate exotic and non-winter-hardy plants, as well as indoor plants. The best choice for placing a winter garden is the eastern side, since this winter garden will not overheat. It is also necessary to consider a garden heating system in winter, additional lighting and air circulation.
When choosing plants for a winter garden, in addition to your own preferences, you must be guided by the distribution of plants according to the geographical areas where they grow.
African and Asian tropical plants were chosen for the winter garden: pinnate asparagus, goegian begonia, dissected dallalia, alocasia, Dracaena Sander, thunbergia grandiflora, ficus lyre, long pepper, green pellea, as well as cyperus alternate-leaved.
Rules for caring for a winter garden:
Timely watering (the moisture requirement of each type of plant is taken into account);
Timely application of fertilizers (applied according to the season, taking into account the age, variety and condition of plants): different types of fertilizing, root and foliar;
Timely pruning and shaping (this service is necessary to maintain the decorative appearance of plants);
Soil aeration and soil restoration (the soil settles and becomes compacted over time, preventing the flow of moisture to the roots and exposing the root system of flowers, which leads to the development of diseases and wilting);
Diagnosis of diseases and treatment of plants (regular preventive examination, determination of the type of pest or disease, use of adequate medicinal products);
Timely removal of dust from the surface of leaves.
