I was born in industrial town of Mariupol. After graduating  a technical institute  I was recruited into army, to Kamchatka. Two unforgettable years of military service in the town of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky went by quickly. Desire to discover new trends and the romantic of adventures led me into the artists’ circle. During that time I met a lot of interesting people. The ocean, the mountains, the volcanoes, the geysers created own a world unique and beautiful. And the people who study this world (scientists, artists, journalists, etc.) have become my friends. Expeditions to the mountains, observations of volcanic eruptions, travelings and adventures at sea, have influenced the making of my character and the choice of career a lot. For a long time I was working as an artist-designer in an art corporation. But the love of photography has changed my creative tools. I exchanged paintbrushes for a camera. Kamchatkan period   expire. My life road has taken me to Estonia, to Tallinn where I live now.

I am trying to keep memories of the past and a view on the present day through my inner world.

My artistic philosophy is simple. I look for a possibility to give the essence to the form and the other way round. This describes the hidden harmony of my concept to a great extent. I try to express my attitude and feelings, show the mood and emotional colours, see the things initially hidden. Or, on the contrary, from the very first moment that will stop the time and the feeling and if it is possible to influence the photographed object.

I LIKE WORKING WITH LIGHT ALSO AS WITH SHADOW. THERE IS NO LATTER WITHOUT THE FORMER.

Photography for me is an expression of my imagination and personal creative vision. My interpreting.

I like taking pictures of women. Naked and not naked. Body - reflection of soul and a nature projection. Many years ago, at the beginning of my artistic career, I was photographing nature a lot. I used to wait for the fog but it was bright sunshine. Or the other way round. It was raining and I was longing for clouds. Woman is like nature. However, with her I can make any “weather” myself. It’s all her character. Besides, I get big pleasure from psychological communication.

I like both classical and innovative ideas, the same as metamorphoses and allegories.

The creative idea comes first and then I simply play back it with photographic means. I work with a variety of genres with great pleasure. I like everything that interests me. Beauty. If that is the word to describe my world, well.. I don’t mind.

PHOTOGRAPHY IS MY LIFE!

With sincere respect,

Valery Bareta