In a rare personal insight, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has revealed his long-standing fascination with photography, saying human portraits were the biggest artistic challenge for him.
In an entry posted on his personal video blog Wednesday, Medvedev said he liked doing natural scenery, architectural shots, and panoramas, but people held a special attraction for him although they also posed the greatest challenge.
"In my position, it would look a bit strange if at some point I pull out my camera and start shooting somebody. I am afraid that people will simply not appreciate that," he said.
Medvedev, who is an avid photographer, said he had started taking interest in photography "about 35 years ago," when he was still in school, and then his interest revived with a fresh intensity "at a more mature age, after 30."
One of Medvedev's photographs of the Tobolsk Kremlin in Siberia fetched 51 million rubles ($1.7 million) at a fundraising auction in St. Petersburg in mid-January. The president took the black and white photo of the fortress from the air during one of his helicopter trips in Siberia.
"Whenever I get a spare minute, I try to take pictures - not only at home but I also take a camera along with me virtually on any business trip I make."
MOSCOW, February 10 (RIA Novosti)
