I have added a collection of almost 50 archive photos (2007–2010) from several trips to different parts of Lazovsky Reserve. The images cover two major areas of the reserve open to limited visiting: Petrova Island and Tachingouza Bay.
Panoramic work
During the trips I shot many panoramic images, some of which are presented in the gallery. Wide-angle panoramic imagery suits these locations well — the scale of the coastline and the drama of the light demand it. Some panels were stitched from several dozen individual frames.
The very first panorama in the collection — a sunset view of Petrova Island — was my first wall-sized print at 3×1 metres. It looked extraordinary in physical form.
The place
The Lazovsky Reserve coastline features unique stone formations, including the distinctive Akula (“Shark”) Rock. The shores are surrounded by crystal-clear ocean water and untouched taiga forest growing right down to the tide line.
Visiting this reserve was a genuinely moving experience. Despite — or perhaps because of — the unstable weather that kept rolling in from the sea, the light was exceptional and the colours in the sky were unlike anything I had seen elsewhere. Being able to photograph this place while it was still pristine felt like a privilege.