February 23, 2024

A Photographer's Empathy


A Photographer's Empathy
Dmitry Markov. Wikimedia Commons

On January 16, Dmitry Markov, 41, known for his depiction of everyday Russia through smartphone photography, died in Pskov. Markov was a recipient of the esteemed Russian photo competition Serebrynaya Kamera ("Silver Camera"), the Getty Images Instagram Grant, and the author of the photobook Chernovik ("Draft").

"The place that Dima occupied in our photography was completely empty before his appearance. I can't recall anyone who photographed Russia with such affection and authenticity," said publisher Leonid Gusev.

Born in Pushkino, Moscow Oblast, Markov honed his craft under the tutelage of Alexander Lapin, a prominent Russian photographer and educator. He contributed his talents as a photographer and journalist for the newspaper Argumenty i Fakty ("Arguments and Facts") and collaborated with independent publications such as Meduza and Takie Dela.

After joining Instagram in 2012, Markov embraced the concept of David Alan Harvey's Burn Diary project, exclusively utilizing a mobile phone, and only posting images on the day they were taken.

Markov's signature style culminated in his participation in the 2016 iPhone 7 advertising campaign "Taken on the iPhone," marking him as the first Russian contributor among 15 photographers from around the world.

A group of nuns enters a church and a group of women leaves it
Photo from Dmitry Markov's Instagram.

He focused on life in Russian locations that are distant from urban centers, and on marginalized communities, including the homeless, correctional school alumni, substance users, individuals with disabilities, and prisoners. Despite criticism alleging that he offered a bleak portrayal of Russian life, Markov defended his focus on the gritty details, citing his empathy for those facing hardship, which was rooted in his upbringing in impoverished conditions and his journey overcoming substance abuse.

Markov also documented protests, capturing poignant moments, such as a 2021 photograph depicting a police officer clad in uniform and a balaclava beneath a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin, symbolic of the repression against dissenters in the way of Alexei Navalny's arrest. Recognizing the impact of his work, Markov auctioned the popular photograph to support an organization aiding political prisoners (it brought in over $21,000).

Markov also documented the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including scenes of Russian military departures. One of Markov's final images showed a Russian war participant in Alexandrov, Moscow region, concealing his face while reflecting on the horror of witnessing death.

Dmitry Markov's indelible contributions to photography offer a poignant testament to his empathy, capturing the essence of Russia with sincerity and compassion.

You Might Also Like

Sudden Death
  • February 18, 2024

Sudden Death

Alexei Navalny’s death was entirely expected, and completely unacceptable.
A Criminal Doll
  • February 12, 2024

A Criminal Doll

An artist was arrested while fleeing to Kazakhstan for the use of prison tattoos in his artwork.
What Russians Want
  • February 05, 2024

What Russians Want

Independent sociologists have sussed out what Russians really want from their government.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

The Little Humpbacked Horse

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.
At the Circus

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
The Moscow Eccentric

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.
Woe From Wit (bilingual)

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.
Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

Life Stories: Original Fiction By Russian Authors

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.
Murder at the Dacha

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.
22 Russian Crosswords

22 Russian Crosswords

Test your knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and society with these 22 challenging puzzles taken from the pages of Russian Life magazine. Most all the clues are in English, but you must fill in the answers in Russian. If you get stumped, of course all the puzzles have answers printed at the back of the book.
Driving Down Russia's Spine

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 
Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

This astonishingly gripping autobiography by the founder of the Russian Women’s Death Battallion in World War I is an eye-opening documentary of life before, during and after the Bolshevik Revolution.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.  

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955