My Best Shots of 2025: Exploring Form and Meaning

Last year was all about learning and getting the hang of new gear. In 2025, I finally stopped experimenting with "everything under the sun" and narrowed my focus to what truly resonates with me. This year has been a season of quiet and minimalism—a search for meaning in simple forms.

I’ve finally settled on the styles I love most. This year, I spent a lot of time shooting landscapes and minimalism. I’ve found myself drawn to the metaphysics of an image and abstraction, where geometry, light, and the overall feel of the shot matter more than documentary precision.

I also kept shooting street, but I’ve shifted my approach. Now, I try not to intrude on people’s personal space. I don’t want to catch anyone off guard, especially since I don't like being a random subject myself. In my street photography, people are more of a part of the urban environment—a silhouette or a visual accent—rather than the main character of the story.

I added three TTArtisan lenses to my kit this year: a 50mm, a 100mm, and a macro lens. They really force me to slow down and take my time with every shot.

For sweeping landscapes and city scenes, I added a Canon 16mm to the bag. It gives a fantastic sense of scale and space.

My most special find this year is the "Vanilla" achromat, custom-made for me by craftsman Viktor Zharikov from Tambov. It’s a compact M39-mount lens that produces a soft, almost fairytale-like look.

Family#

Street Photography#

Metaphysics and Abstraction#

Nature and Urban Landscape#

Animal Photography#

Gear:

• Cameras: Canon EOS R8, Canon EOS M200, Canon EOS M50 Mark II, Samsung S22 Ultra
• RAW processing: DarkTable