We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Inna Malostovker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Inna below.

Inna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The last few years, I have been working on a photo art project that remains the most meaningful, challenging, and fascinating for me to date. It features digital compositions based on my photographs.
The compositions are created using dozens of layers of photographs, textures, adjustments, and effects.

My main subjects are birds which carry a lot of symbolism.
Most importantly, their wings represent freedom of flight. Unfortunately, many birds are
struggling to survive due to climate change, habitat loss and other threats.
In this context, my digital creations do not show birds in beautiful landscapes or in their
natural setting, instead, most of the backgrounds depict dark and polluted environments
that have a human footprint.
My creations are inspired by the Grunge movement which involves a large amount of dirty, grimy imagery.
They convey a sense of hopelessness and disenchantment with modern society.
However, despite being dark, every artwork has a bright spot as a sign of hope.

This project takes photography work to a new level, more challenging and creative.
It provides me with a platform to create work that is unique and encourages viewer to see nature
in a different way and appreciate our environment.

Inna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always enjoyed photography. At the age of twelve, I won my very first camera in a traffic safety competition held by a local newspaper, giving me my very own equipment to practice with.
I started studying photography more seriously about 15 years ago taking classes both online and in person,
and I also did a lot of self-study.
And now I am proud to have participated in a number of exhibitions, including several solo shows,
to have won numerous awards and honors, have multiple publications and have my own gallery.

As a photographer, I have mainly been focusing on nature, especially its smaller details.
I use close-up or macro photography as the means to see these subjects from a new viewpoint.
Close-up photography is equally entertaining and demanding.
There is an endless supply of subjects that can test the skill and technique in photography.
Instead of pursuing “iconic” subjects, I enjoy the challenge of finding something interesting
in the most mundane of subjects and, most of all, sharing it with others.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to create work that tells a story, resonates with my viewer, elicits a reaction. Nothing makes me happier than sharing my vision with others.

Having created several educational coloring books based on my photographs, I love receiving notes and
photos of the kids enjoying my books and learning from them.
Knowing that I have made someone happy is really gratifying.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I frequently get “compliments” on my camera that imply that because I have a good camera,
I must be taking good images. Having the correct tools is only one aspect of photography;
there are many others as well. There is a lot to learn if one wants to become an excellent photographer.
I genuinely enjoy passing on my knowledge, so I teach a beginner’s photography class in a nearby garden
to help others get started in this amazing art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.IMphotoArt.com
• Instagram: inna_malostovker
• Facebook: InnaMphotoArt
• Linkedin: Inna Malostovker
• Youtube: LittleLizardLove