Michael Dorohovich
PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris 2024 – State of the World
Curatorial Selection – The unique Roma culture of Keldelari.
Q: How has your personal background or life experiences influenced the global issues and stories you choose to capture through your photography?
My personal background and passion for documentary photography have always been closely linked to the study of cultural heritage and social justice. The Roma culture of Keldelari is an amazing world, full of traditions, unique lifestyles and deep family values. However, many stereotypes and misunderstandings surround these people. I wanted to capture their authenticity, show their pride and rich identity through the lens of my camera.
Q: What inspired you to submit your work to The State of the World competition, and how has receiving this recognition from PX3 impacted your journey as a photographer?
The State of the World competition attracted me with its idea of telling stories through photography that can change the way we view the world. I understood that the Roma culture remains in the shadows of public attention, and I wanted to attract attention to it. Winning this competition was a confirmation for me that documentary photography can be a powerful tool for understanding and respecting different cultures. It also gave me the confidence to continue working in the genre of social documentary photography.
Q: Can you take us behind the scenes of your winning series? What was the story you aimed to tell, and did any unexpected moments shape the final result?
Getting into the world of Keldelari turned out to be almost impossible. A year and a half of searching, negotiations, refusals… And when hope had already faded, a miracle happened – one influential doctor helped me penetrate this closed amazing world. In the village of Korolevo, I was given only two hours to shoot. There was little time, but each frame was full of life: proud women preserving centuries-old traditions, children getting married at 13-14 years old at the advice of their parents.
Later, I was invited to the village of Podvinogradovo, where I captured a 13-year-old bride as she was preparing for her wedding. Her eyes were filled with both anticipation and anxiety, a frame that reflected generations. For me, these moments were not just a shoot, but a touch of an ancient world disappearing in the rhythm of modernity. These frames became a symbol of the continuity of traditions, and I realized that it is these moments that give photographs emotional depth.
Q: Your work highlights some of the most crucial and pressing issues in today’s world. How do you balance technical precision with the raw emotion needed to create a powerful, thought-provoking image?
For me, it is not just the technical perfection of the frame that is important, but also the feeling of life in it. Light, composition and moment must work together to convey the authenticity of emotion. I always look for natural scenes, without interfering with what is happening, allowing the subjects to be themselves. This approach allows the photograph to “speak” to the viewer on a deep emotional level.
Q: Photography has the ability to raise awareness, shift perspectives, and even inspire action. What role do you believe visual storytelling plays in addressing global challenges?
Photography is a universal language that needs no translation. It can not only draw attention to issues, but also create an emotional connection with those depicted. Visual storytelling helps people realize that there are real lives behind the statistics and headlines. This is the first step to change.
Q: Your winning image is a reflection of an important moment or reality—how do you approach the responsibility of documenting such impactful stories?
I always feel a great responsibility to those I photograph. It is important to be not just an observer, but also a storyteller who conveys the truth in a respectful and ethical manner. I try to establish a trusting relationship with the subjects so that they feel comfortable and open in front of the camera. This is the key to creating honest and profound images.
Q: Looking ahead, are there any social or environmental themes you feel compelled to explore further through your work?
I am interested in the topic of disappearing traditional cultures and the impact of globalization on the identity of peoples. I also plan to explore the issues of climate change and its impact on small ethnic groups living in the Carpathian Mountains, in harmony with nature. These are important topics that require attention.
Q: What motivates you to continue capturing the world through your lens, and where do you hope to take your work in the future?
I am inspired by people’s stories, their strength of spirit and ability to maintain their identity in a changing world. I hope that my work will help to break down barriers of misunderstanding and create bridges between cultures. In the future, I want to expand the geography of my shooting and continue to document the lives of communities whose voices need to be heard.
Michael Dorohovich is a portrait and documentary photographer, born in 1978 in Transcarpathia, in the small town of Uzhgorod.
Winner of the MONOVISIONS Black & White Photography Awards 2023 (single) award. He holds a master’s degree in photography from the Kyiv University of Culture and is a teacher of audiovisual art at the Uzhgorod Academy of Culture and Arts.
Winner and prize-winner of many prestigious world awards in the field of photography. His works have received international recognition and have been exhibited in museums and galleries in Japan, India, North America and many European countries.
Author of photo projects that presented the culture and traditions of Transcarpathia to the whole world: “Famous and Interesting Personalities of Transcarpathia” (2021 – 2022); “Cultural Ethnos of Transcarpathia” (2022); “High-mountain inhabitants of the Ukrainian Carpathians” (2023-2024); “Unique women of the Roma culture Keldelari” (2023).
Throughout his life, he has been engaged in solo mountaineering and mountain solo trekking. He traveled through the mountain systems of the Carpathians, Crimea, Caucasus, Alps, Altai, Kamchatka, Pamir and Tien Shan. He recorded all his ascents in photo landscapes.