Artist Analysis #9

Gregory Maiofis

Taste of Russian Ballet

Gregory Maiofis is a Russian photographer known for his modern surrealist photography that emulates the old style not only in subject but also in process. Every image he shoots has a deep meaning behind it and usually focused on various russian fables or fairy tails. Gregory shoots on black and white film and develops on Bromoil giving his images an old style feel. He revives not only the old method of printing but also the old mechanism for creating meaning in everyone of his works.  

This image is from a series of other bear and ballerina photos and one of his more humorous series. Showing a ballerina dancer performing in front of an attentive grizzly bear. This was not Photoshoped or manipulated in anyway. It turns out that he knew an animal trainer from the circus and convinced him to let him bring a 400 lb grizzly bear into his studio. It must have been a fast shutter speed knowing how fast things change when working with animals and the dancer is completely in focus while moving. The lighting is very dramatic, looks like only one main light is set up to the left and maybe a dim fill off to the right. I think its fascinating that he still uses such only technology for his work, it gives it a sort of timelessness that is further strengthened by this old look.