Everything started in 1839, when the French artist, chemist and inventor Louis Daguerre developed a method of obtaining a photographic image named after him the daguerreotype process. The British scientist William Talbot made history as the inventor of a negative-positive process, dubbed the calotype, which is the basis of modern photography.

The date for World Photography Day was not chosen by chance. On August 19, 1839 the invention of “the mirror with a memory” was revealed to the world. And photography has continued its triumph since then, spreading across the planet, changing the world and memorializing significant events.

Daguerre and Talbot could have hardly imagined that their invention would be much in demand not only in culture but also in science and would open up the possibility of visually representing reality and developing the craft into high art…

Today, photography has made a noticeable impact on all spheres of life. In the age of digitalization and high-tech gadgets, anyone can be a photographer and even a photo artist, taking funny selfies, expressing their emotions and views, capturing motion, rare natural phenomena and moods, and detecting subtle nuances. However, it does take knowledge, experience and talent to capture a moment, preserve its harmony and achieve perfect visual balance…

Our two colleagues, photojournalists Vladimir Komarov and Suleyman Charyev possess all of these characteristics. Their striking photographs that speak for themselves usually accompany our articles, but on World Photography Day we will take an inside look at the art of drawing with light (as the word “photography” translates from Greek) and will try to find out how their love of photography has changed their lives.

Photojournalism is a form of journalism that evokes the strongest emotional response. It is not possible to imitate dramatic effects produced by a truly compelling image. Powerful, engaging visual content can considerably influence readers’ perception. Works by accomplished veteran photographers and their talented young counterparts are a unique window into modernism, distinctive natural landmarks, and modern achievements. They can capture a sense of bygone era or the pace of change.

In the age of technological advance, to those who are not versed in the subtleties of photography it may seem that the process is entirely mechanical. But a good photograph is always a result of dedicated work that requires inspiration, an artistic vision and a willingness to explore new dimensions.

This is exactly what photographs by Suleyman Charyev, a photojournalist for the State News Agency of Turkmenistan, are truly remarkable for. … His interest in photography began when he was a schoolboy and captured precious moments of his family and his friends with his ordinary camera. The boy hardly knew the difference between a photographer and a photo artist at that time. But he liked experimenting with light, shooting from odd angles, and reflecting the daily reality in a non-trivial way. Thanks to this, his family’s collection boasted original snapshots.

Suleyman made good use of his ability to catch moods and dynamics in his photographs when working in television. But he is particularly fond of crafting emotionally-charged and eye-catching images that convey his creative ideas to the viewer, and in 2015 he accepted an offer to work as a photojournalist for the State News Agency of Turkmenistan.

Suleyman is a brilliant documentary and artistic photographer alike. His works are featured in periodicals, books and articles. The creative photojournalist manages to accurately capture fine nuances of a scene on camera and get them across to the viewer. His laconic images impress with their meaningful context. As journalists would say he is able to eliminate insignificant elements and distractions looking through the lens. Not so long ago he took a great interest in video filming, too.

Suleyman received the President’s Türkmeniň Altyn Asyry Award in 2009 and 2016. He successfully combined his journalistic career with his studies at the Turkmen State Culture Institute (he graduated from it this year).

Suleyman has a real flair for photography. His thought-provoking works communicate feelings, revealing his undoubted talent for portraiture as well. He honed his craft and skills receiving advanced career training, and exchanging expertise with his fellow photojournalists during his work-related tours to Belarus, Russia, Croatia, Armenia, and Italy. Suleyman has warm memories of his week-long training in Moscow, organized by TAAS, the Russian news agency.

Honored Journalist of Turkmenistan, our colleague Vladimir Mikhailovich Komarov is one of the outstanding veteran photographers, whose works inspire young emerging artists, help to shape the direction and encourage taking their careers to new heights.

He got his start in the profession thanks to his love of photography. After graduating from aviation school, Vladimir Mikhailovich began working at Ashgabat airport as a radio technician. Once he brought his first photographs to an editorial office of the industry-sponsored newspaper “The Air Route”. And his finely crafted shots did not go unnoticed. At the same newspaper office he tried his hand at writing articles as a student at Magtymguly Turkmen State University (the Russian Language and Literature Department).

The young photographer and journalist found his job-related trips to cities and remotely situated settlements intensely interesting and memorable. He collected material, wrote accounts of events, captured landscapes and characters with his FED camera and notebook always at hand… After returning to Ashgabat, he prepared articles for publication and spent time in the darkroom enthusiastically developing black-and-white photographs. Vladimir Mikhailovich learned the secrets of photography on his own, reading special books.

Vladimir Mikhailovich recalls his first achievement with pride. There used to be a Folk Art Center in Ashgabat at that time. Once it hosted a photography competition and Komarov took part in it. His work won. Amazing meetings, professional recognition and creative accomplishments lay ahead of him…

In 2011, Vladimir Mikhailovich won the President’s Türkmeniň Altyn Asyry Award. He is also a national environmental photography competition winner. His landscape photographs have appeared on the covers and in the pages of numerous publications.

Turkmen nature holds a special place in the career of photo artist and journalist Vladimir Komarov. It appears highly unlikely that there is a destination in our country he has not visited yet. Vast desert expanses, magnificent mountains, unique oases, mysterious caves, mud volcanoes, waterfalls pouring down loudly, bubbling mountain rivers, quiet lakes, the poetic Caspian Sea… His photographs lovingly show the scenic views.

Every spring Vladimir Mikhailovich immerses himself in nature to take new photographs and feel invigorated. It is a wonderful time of the year with everything around bursting into new life and giving fresh inspiration …

Vladimir Mikhailovich will turn 75 on August 26. We wish him good health and family well-being, and are looking forward to his new spectacular works!