Anatoly Cherkasov uses platinotype technique to convey the beauty of pristine nature. The series is not devoted to any particular country or region; one can see here Russian landscapes side by side with exotic views of Nepal and Japan. Works by Cherkasov are not like bland postcard views, on the contrary, they are distinguished by a meaningful study of the form. Following the steps of such Russian realist painters as Isaac Levitan, Ilya Shishkin, and Arkhip Kuindzhi, Anatoly Cherkasov rejects stylization; in his photographs, we encounter “the world of pure contemplation” evoking thoughts about the brevity of human life as opposed to timeless nature.

The history of the platinotype technique dates back to over a hundred years ago. Among the masters of photography who used platinum and palladium process are such prominent names as Frederick Evans, Edward Weston, and Irving Penn. Even today, many photographers experiment with platinotype, although only a few choose this laborious photographic process as their signature technique as it demands a lot of patience, special knowledge, and a particular sensitivity to the material. Prints made in this technique aesthetically encompass image colour, depth, and tactile qualities offering a rich and uniquely long tonal range. This effect is produced by the use of platinum and palladium.