So did you fall into underwater photography the same way Alice fell into the rabbit hole? I was already doing underwater photography and had experimented with a few images. But no matter how much you prepare ahead of time, shooting underwater is always full of surprises and you might end up creating a whole different image. That’s what’s interesting to me, the element of unpredictability. The key is going with the flow. What's your favourite aspect of photography? Being underwater and seeing how colours, shapes change. I listen to my breath and heartbeat because it feels like I’m in a different dimension. I forget about everything and look through the viewfinder to capture the moment. That sounds very inspiring and like a very nice way to live and create art. Yes, I’m fortunate I must say. I love what I do and that’s probably why it speaks to people. I’m curious, what brought you to the Bahamas from your native Russia? I was always drawn to water since childhood. It’s my element and embodies my way of life. I swim all the time and often with my camera. Do you work in a swimming pool or natural surroundings? I wonder about the challenges that come with that. I shoot in both but the ocean has a much better atmosphere. It’s much harder to work with though, everything has to be right: the conditions,
the clarity. Also physically it’s more challenging. It takes a lot of time as there are many variables. “Alice underwater” was shot in the pool because it was easier for children and I had too many props to shoot in the ocean. Is there something you think children bring to photography that adults don’t? Children bring innocence, they’re not as guarded and can be free. The only thing is you can’t push them like adults. If they loose interest you have to wait for the spark to come back. In “Alice in Wonderland”, Alice swims in her own tears, she shrinks and later turns into a giant. It’s a complete dream world. Why did you decide to retell the story underwater? Underwater your sense of reality subsides. Your perception is altered and your link with other people is broken. It has the same quality as when Alice walks through the mirror. Alice’s world is not that much different to the world underwater. Also, I had my models: my daughter Alexandra (who actually only wants to be called Alice), and my son, who played The Mad Hatter. Finally, the tale of Alice in wonderland has a lot of symbolism. What are the things in the story that attracted you the most? It’s my favourite tale of all time. In essence it’s a nonsensical story. There’s nothing really happening, it’s not set in a particular frame, it’s limitless and free. That struck a chord with me in the bottom of my heart and I chose to make it my own
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