Moscow New Arbat

There are at least two categories of photographers who shoot for artistic purposes. First, there are those who believe the original image should stand on its own, the capture being an expression of the moment. If the image is good enough, it stands on its own as art and that's the end of it. These are the truest photographers, in my opinion. The second category is the one into which I usually fall--the image makers. We like processing the digital image almost as much, if not more, than the act of taking the shot. "Inobras" also belongs in that category, and here's where I have to write a disclaimer: I already happen to think his work is supremely stylish and beautiful, and one will have to look long and hard to find the same level of expertise elsewhere on deviantart.com.

What I often like about his work, and what this particular work also accomplishes, is that it's difficult to discern the real from the unreal. At times you're not sure if you're viewing a photograph at all. There is so much in this image that tells you it *must* be a photograph, but then you see details that you figure cannot--must not--exist in the real world. It's like looking at a Hollywood movie built around special effects. Is the rain really there? It certainly *looks* like it must have been raining for this shot. And surely the buildings don't lean like that! Those are the kinds of little questions I always come up with when looking at his work. What's real? I honestly can't say, but it all stands out as supremely beautiful, intelligent, and meticulous. And for the image maker, successfully creating the blur between the real and unreal is (at least in my opinion) the most sublime achievement for which to strive.