Russian Orthodoxy in documentary projects of the Russian and English photographers

Abstract

This article is dedicated to the analysis of distinctive features of the image of Russian Orthodoxy in the works of the contemporary Russian and English photographers. The authors review various aspects of photography as a research tool. They determine the focus of attention of the English and Russian photographers with regards to Orthodoxy, which aspect of religiosity prevail in their works, and which artistic means of photography are used by the photojournalists to express their position. In the course of research of the existing photo projects, the question is raised of whether they seek to capture negative or rather positive aspects of the Russian religiosity. Analysis is also conducted on the degree of the influence of stereotypes upon photo images. Research methodology employs comparative analysis of the documentary photo projects of the Russian and English photographers. The photographers were selected by regional, professional, and objective-subjective criteria. This article is first to refer to the documentary photo projects for analyzing the perception of Russian Orthodoxy by the Russians and foreigners, which defines the scientific novelty and uniqueness of this research. The conducted analysis reveals the similarities and differences in the approaches of the Russian and English photographers. The conclusion is made that the object of research of the English and Russian photographers differ in themes and aspects they pay attention to. The English photographers are interested in religion as a part of the everyday practices of a modern Russian, while the Russian photographers attempt to demonstrate a profound connection of people with the spiritual world. At the same time, both English and Russians photographers capture Orthodoxy in a positive context, at times even romanticizing the image of Orthodox temples and rituals.