Interview with Konstantin Dikovsky by Adam P. Kennedy
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in USSR in Riga.
Where are you living now?
Together with my family I live in St. Petersburg in Russia.
When did you start taking pictures?
Like many others - during school time. Together with my father we were sitting in our small bathroom, processing film and printing black and white photos. He was the first one who showed me how to take photos and make final prints.
Besides your father did you have any other role models? Was there someone or something that inspired you?
The process was initiated after I saw nice close ups and landscapes that several of my friends had made on good modern film with very rich colors. After that I understood that photography could be a real tool to express feelings and ideas.
Internally I was and I am inspired by amazing paintings of Nicholas Roerich. I saw no one else whose pictures could have so big an influence on people, changing mood and even lightening all environment, putting more light in the area around it, in the room, in the hearts of visitors. Making all environment brighter, warmer, more positive.
Did photography come naturally?
Yes, I can say so. I traveled a lot and had a small simple camera. I started taking pictures of places where I was and then realized that photography can do more than just show the place.
Did you take a lot of photography classes?
I took only one for one and half years at the NYIP (New York Institute of Photography) – a distance studies course. It gave me a clearer structure of composition laws and helped to improve my technical skills.
What type of camera do you use?
I started from 35 mm film camera, then switched to Mamiya 6x7 middle format, but later came to digital Canon EOS 5D, because of weight and advantages of digital processing.
What are your inspirations for your photographs?
Nature. Especially wild nature, especially mountains.
Do you process your own photographs?
I do some digital processing of images that is part of creative process of any photographer. Final giclee prints made in a printing house, using archival inks on canvas.
There are some amazing mountain shots, like Celestial Wanderers. How do you achieve some of these angles?
By foot (smiles). Often using climbing equipment. Some shoots are made 5000-6000 m above sea level. Mountaineering and photography make good combination.
How many pictures do you take before of the same subject before you come up with the final one?
Depending on situation, from 1 to 3. Usually not more.
How do you balance the business end of photography with the creative?
I am still working on it.
What is the art community like in St. Petersburg? Is it a very active arts community?
There is quite an active art community in Sankt-Petersburg. You'll find a lot of exhibitions going in art galleries, exhibition halls. Sankt-Petersburg itself is a city-museum (it has one of biggest art museums in the world - Hermitage) with huge palaces and parks and this is a perfect soil to grow up any kind of art, may be even one of the best kind of art.
Who are some of your favorite photographers or artists, either current or deceased?
Great Russian painter Nicholas Roerich, Masters of Photography – Jerry N. Uelsmann, Phil Borges, Yann Arthus-Bertrand.
What advice would you give to young artists?
I am also young artist (smiles).
How old are you?
I am 34 years old. And I am saying whatever type of art you are working in – use it to express only the best, the lightest ideas and feelings you have. The mission of Art – to make this world better to fill it with Harmony and Light. Be responsible, be positive and creative.
Do you think that today’s preteens, teens are exposed enough to the world of art?
Nowdays the Internet gives much more possibilities to expose artworks for any artist. At the same time “brick and mortar” galleries are as closed for emerging artists as before. Kennedy Publishing does a very important and necessary job, enabling artists, regardless if they are emerging or established, to show their works to the wide audience.
Finally, is there any topic that you would like to comment on?
As a final topic I'd like to call on the art community, all my colleagues to be more responsible with the thoughts, feelings and ideas they are bringing to the world. We are starting to think how to save the environment from waste water, smoke etc. In the same way we should stop spreading ugly ideas and destroying thoughts. Everything has consequences. Be responsible.