In 1986 two accidents happened. I was born and Chernobyl exploded. At least, that’s what my parents told me. Today, I’m living and working in Ghent, Belgium. I bought my first camera in 2008, while I was studying graphic design at The Royal Academy Of Fine Arts. After 3 years of making logo’s and posters, I decided photography was in the cards for me, not design. So I decided to chase my dream to become a photographer. In 2014, I started an assistant position in a photo studio. Mainly to learn more about light. Two years later I started working on my own projects.
I’m fascinated by everything on the intersection of fiction and non-fiction. This is what makes a great photo intriguing. It represents reality, but at the same time, it tricks us. A great photo can show us the most honest of truths, but also capture a sense of reality that’s not visible to the naked eye. That’s probably the reason why I fell in love with this medium.
Moonland
When we travel, everything is new and our senses are as sharp as razors. We are in a state of childish excitement and we are often inclined to glorify. Ladakh is a high desert region in the Indian Himalayas, with a culture and history drawing from Tibet, India, Kashmir and Central Asia. No road connected it to the outside world until the 1960s, but recent decades have brought a flood of development and tourism. It’s a place where children meditate and people sing as they work the land sometimes 4500 above sea level. A place where people reincarnate and schools function on pure sustainable energy in temperatures of -35° in Winter. Before my journey, I created a shot list based on my perception of this place. In the series, I’ve tried to find an equilibrium between the mystical character and the actual region. A balance between a childish vision and reality.
To view more of Yuri’s work please visit his website.