When I was learning to draw, I was still "learning to learn".

Building on this foundation, our teacher paid close attention to how to work with visual information.

By his own example, he demonstrated how he analyzes art, movies, and any pictures or objects around him, as all of these are sources of information and, if you like, inspiration.

For example, one of our homework assignments was to make quick hyperbolic sketches of famous people. To do this, we had to study them carefully and be able to isolate the main thing that makes this person stand out from the rest. For example, he noted that the art of caricature exemplifies this skill very well.

Here is an example of my work:

We also began to deconstruct (disassemble into smaller pieces) and simplify what we see. Then we took this as a basis for our reference and had to create something of our own that was visually readable.

There were many more micro-tasks, such as stylization and hyperbole... but that's not the point.

Here are my examples:

In this way, our teacher encouraged us to learn from everything around us. To think and notice what catches us and why. Why this light and not another, why this pose, scene, etc?

It was also bad form to call something a "reference" when in fact it was just a copy. We were taught that a reference is a reference to a certain mood, style, pose, or emotion.

So, when it comes to photography, and I collect moodboards before a shoot, it doesn't mean that I'm going to reproduce these images exactly.

Instead, I base my work on mood, lighting, color, or style.

The fig shape is used as the basis for the hair.
Voila - a nightclub dancer with a hairstyle that will definitely be remembered.

I would like to demonstrate, through examples of my work, how I have utilized references and applied them in practice. And to remind you once again that these are not "just pictures" or "naked girls" to go, but that there is an intellectual and creative process behind each shooting.

You've probably noticed that I love nude shoots and generally enjoy photographing the body. I developed my love for such things through posters of various Conan the Barbarian, Amazons, Heavy Metal art, bodybuilding, and especially Boris Vallejo's art.

Borys adored bodybuilders and, in his art, often depicted his fantasy characters in poses typical of those used by bodybuilders.

And now a few examples of my work. I drew inspiration from the poses, mood, and dramatic lighting in the drawings.

I often refer to the behavior of animals or creatures.

For example, I love and often use the "gargoyle" pose, as I call it, when a person bends unnaturally for themselves, but it works very well with certain lighting and body structure.

Examples of different shootings, but the same technique and reference:

And here I referred to the shape of a spider.

Katya, with her beautiful legs in tights and this chair with legs.... she was like a female mantis to me, a kind of spider)

I thought it would be a cool association.

Even if no one guesses, I'll know that I had this idea in mind.

Or here, when I was taking pictures of Ksenia, I liked the way she was standing and asked her to freeze because it reminded me of a flamingo pose.

Here's a reference technique I value and use frequently in my shoots: drawing inspiration from iconic films.

Let's call it Flashdance vibe. There was an old movie called Flashdance that served as a reference for numerous clips, scenes in films, and images of dancers. It's a classic old movie about a girl who works at a "man's job" but is actually a talented dancer, dreaming of becoming a professional.

The distinct shooting and lighting of Flashdance's dance scenes offer unique visual ideas. Incorporating these references elevates my creative toolbox.

Here are examples from the movie Flashdance :

And here's how I used this image from the movie and applied it to my own works.

Next example.

I came across these pictures on Pinterest and decided to invite Tora to take a picture with dumbbells and a cigarette.

Tora put together a provocative outfit, and I looked again at Boris's drawings and sat my dear Tora down to pump her biceps, and in contrast, to pump her lungs with smoke.

Danny's shooting was inspired by Michael Hutchins of INXS, Al Pacino, and the portrait of Daniel Day-Lewis.

Danny immediately reminded me of Michael and Pacino, and I went looking in that direction.

I came across Scarface, the cigar, and these contrasting images from the movie. Then I saw the light in Del Lewis's portrait and realized that I would mix contrasting light, smoke, and a certain image.

This is what I got:

The last example I want to share is my shoot with Pasha.

Pasha is both a skilled swimmer and dentist, with a defined jawline, prominent cheekbones, and a strong build.

So, how does this influence our shoot? It means we'll emphasize these features through intentional angles and careful lighting choices.

However, instead of photographing him with his usual swimming goggles, I aimed to introduce a noirish mood, inspired by the futuristic film Metropolis.

Metropolis is a silent, sci-fi, dystopian film with a memorable cover featuring a humanoid robot illuminated from beneath.

I'm keeping this idea in mind, and I plan to use a kind of light that creates a somewhat disturbing mood, which is associated with horror films and noir paintings.

And then I remember these photos, and the image comes together.

Pasha is wearing his swimming goggles with a certain lighting.

Although the light here does not come from below, it is reflected from the white cyclorama floor. Such lighting is also associated with water, which reflects on the skin and seems to illuminate you from below. It's perfect.

We will use certain poses - static, as if you were a statue or a robot.

The “matador's pose”, as I call it, is all to emphasize a kind of futuristic, noirish vibe.

I'm taking this on board and will use this kind of light - it creates a somewhat disturbing mood, associated with horror films and noir paintings.

Then I wanted a completely opposite emotion from Pasha, and I remembered a picture of Batman and the Joker. My thoughts then went to Jim Carey as Enigma in the same Batman movie, and I recalled how he stuck out his tongue and grimaced.

I had this in my head, and I asked Pasha to turn a certain way to the light, to grimace and stick out his tongue.

I hope you find these thoughts useful, and thank you for your time.