If you’re on the hunt for surreal, dreamlike landscapes paired with beautiful high fashion portraiture, then look no further than Alexei Valdimir’s unique collection.
Constructing his own exaggerated props that bend our ideas of proportion while taking inspiration from the likes of and , we couldn’t resist jumping into his world of eye-catching monochromatic colour palettes.
Come with us as we step into Alexei’s fantastical world to find out how he brings new visual sensations and experiences to his audience.
LG: How long have you been a photographer, and what made you want to get into photography?
AV: About 11 years ago, we had a small non-mirror camera in our house. I took my first photos using this, and the resulting images absorbed me. My main models were our domestic cats. I then got a Canon 500 camera and began photographing my friends.
In the following years, I tried to take my photography in new directions, watching what other photographers (both famous and unknown) were creating. From some, I learned how to use lighting correctly, from others, about staging and scenery. They all inspired me and helped me to develop my own style.
I later graduated from the Polytechnic University of Moldova with a Design and Printing Technologies degree.
LG: Has your work evolved or changed in the last few years? If so, how?
AV: Yes, it has of course changed. I always stay in touch with other photographers and their work influences me. The books by Michael Freeman, Henry Carroll, Ibarionex Perello, and many others have all played an important role in my development as a photographer.
Through my conceptual imagery, I aim to bring new visual sensations and experiences to my audience.
LG: What motivates you to keep on making images and being creative?
AV: I’m fascinated by how the photographer Kristian Schuller conveys the dynamics of the garments designed by famous couturiers.
I also love the extreme moods and exuberant spirit of surrealism which Tim Walker captures in his photography, and the natural ease portrayed by the subjects within Patrick Demarchelier’s portraits.
My aim is to capture beauty and lively moments, and to use new lighting techniques. Now is the season for awesome nature outside the window, maybe I will prepare for a new photo exhibition. There is no way of telling what will inspire me tomorrow.
Everything comes from art, paintings, exhibitions, things I see in the street, from people to attitudes. Inspiration can even come from the past – photographs of the seventies, sixties, thirties!
LG: Can you share any tips on photo editing?
AV: I think any editing tools are essential to photographers if they help to develop and open up new creative pathways. Trying new lighting and editing can help you to find your own style in photography.
I use Photoshop and Lightroom (Camera Raw) to edit my photos. The main technique I work with is collage. Thanks to the selection tool in Photoshop, you can add any objects into a photo, change the background, replace the sky, add flying umbrellas, balloons, create a dress of flowers, etc.
It is important to make sure that all objects in the finished photo are photographed in the same lighting. Then it’s all up to the creator and their imagination.
LG: Can you tell us about the incredible props you use in your images? Where does the inspiration for these come from, and how long do they take to create?
AV: I can be inspired by anything and everything that surrounds me. Nature, people, objects, even the atmosphere of a moment. Most often, inspiration comes to me without warning.
All of the props you see in my images are made and constructed by myself. It depends on the complexity of the prop, but the manufacturing process can take anywhere from a week to a few months to complete.
The use of different props helps me to tell a more detailed story and allows the viewer to better immerse themselves in the world of fairytales.
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You can check out all of Alexei’s beautiful collection with us here, and follow him on Instagram .
