Sonia Melnikova-Raich

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In the early days of photography, images captured by the camera were sometimes called “waking dreams.” There seemed to be a certain magic involved, and some even believed that camera was capable of capturing the “soul” of the subject. When photography became more commonplace, people came to regard it as an accurate depiction of reality, with special appreciation for technically perfect pictures, “just like real.” But In real life things are rarely still and perfectly arranged, and our visual experience is rarely as focused and precise as a “perfect” photograph might suggest. A moving object, bad weather, poor lighting or obstructed view can be a challenge or an opportunity to bring the magic back. Whether by intent or by a lucky accident, I choose to create mysterious dreamlike images that do not necessarily reflect objective reality, attempting to capture fleeting moments, barely visible, ambiguous or disappearing things.