Interview Alex Gaidouk
Maybe one day I will wake up with camera lenses for my eyes.
Name: Alex Gaidouk
Hometown: I was born in Arkhangelsk, Russia. I now live in Brooklyn, NY.
Style of photography: Clean, minimal, sterile
Type of camera: Nikon D700
Websites: www.minwave.com , Flickr
What gives you inspiration?
I think it’s the challenge of isolating things in a city as large and compressed as NYC. I like to shoot clean, simple scenes without too much clutter, and although this has proven to be a very arduous task in this city, I like the challenge. It drives and inspires me. I also draw inspiration from films. For instance, a few months ago I watched Jacques Tati’s Play Time (which has some very beautiful sterile scenes) and for weeks to come afterwards all I could think of was shooting. Even to this day, certain scenes of the film come back to me and make me want to go out and shoot.
What are your influences?
I think my life itself is a big influence on my work. I spend a lot of time alone, and that reflects on my subject matter–I tend to shoot empty spaces and lonely scenes. It comes natural, they’re attractive to me. As for photographers, I would name my best friend, Cody Cobb, as my number one influence. We started shooting around the same time (him a bit earlier than me) and our styles evolved together. He recently started shooting again after a brief hiatus, and I’m very excited that he’s done so. Aside from Cody, I’ve encountered dozens of amazing photographers on Flickr whose works I would call an influence.
Why did you choose these photos?
I think they are a good variety and sufficiently depict my style.
What does photography mean to you?
When you get to a point where you’re thinking about photography each and every day, you realize that it has become an essential part of your life. I’m not sure when I came to realize this about myself, I just know that’s where I am right now. I wouldn’t call it an addiction because that has a negative connotation. It’s just something that I want to keep on doing, no matter what. It makes me think of Videodrome, when Max Renn’s stomach forms a video cassette slot after he watched too much of the program. Maybe one day I will wake up with camera lenses for my eyes.
Photos:
Copyright reserved by Alex Gaidouk
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