Surreal Dream-Like Photography by Oleg Oprisco

To be a storyteller you don’t necessarily need to write a story.  You can tell the story through your photography as well.  A while ago I shared with you some photos from the charming world of Dara Scully,  and today I’d like to share with you surreal and dream-like photography by Oleg Oprisco.  His photographs are stunning, mesmerizing and out of this world.  When I saw them for the first time, I fell in love with them in an instant.  Each photo tells it’s own story.  All you need to do is immerse yourself in it, and drift away.

Oleg Oprisco became interested in photography at the age of 16, when he started taking photos of friends and acquaintances.  “At age 18, I moved from Lviv, Ukraine, to Kiev, where I became an assistant to a well-known advertising photographer.  We worked together for four years, but that work did not bring me pleasure.  There was no creativity, only commerce. When I was 23, I started from scratch, taking my own photos.”

Oleg now creates stunning surreal images of elegant women in fairy-tale or dream-like settings.  There’s one significant difference, however, that sets him apart from other artists who create similar work – Oprisco shoots using old-school film photography.  He uses Kiev 6C and Kiev 88 cameras with medium-format film and a variety of lenses.

The fact that he shoots with film means that everything you see in these photos had to be created that way – it couldn’t be done digitally.  “I’ve found it ideal to do everything myself.  I come up with a concept, create the clothing, choose the location and direct the hair and makeup,” Oprisco explained in an interview with Bored Panda.  “Before shooting, I plan the overall color scheme.  According to the chosen palette, I select clothes, props, location, etc, making sure that all of it plays within a single color range.”

It’s clear that Oprisco is deeply passionate about his work.  “Each of my photos is a scene from real life.  That is the perfect source of inspiration for me as there is so much beauty to it.”  Oprisco offered some inspiring advice for aspiring young photographers mixed in with some tough love as well.  “Drop your job and shoot … if you feel that’s what you want,” he said.  “Freedom, happiness, money… all will come after you let go and just shoot.”

Visit Oleg Oprisco’s website here.

If you are interested in learning more about Surreal Dream-Like Photography, check out:
– Surreal Photography: Creating The Impossible, and
– Digital Image Editing & Special Effects: Quickly Master The Key Techniques Of Photoshop & Lightroom