TITLE: At the Onset

This photo was taken immediately after I returned from my vacation to Italy in early March 2020. Although the international community was already on high alert about the coronavirus issue, no official travel ban had yet been issued in Russia. All the passengers of the returning planes were subjected to a rather perfunctory health check-up. The weary face of the medical officer assigned to this duty shows his realization that this is not enough, and that the real outbreak is yet to begin.

Several days later, harsher travel regulations were enforced, with the number of diseased reaching hundreds of thousands worldwide.

AUTHOR: Artem Shevlyakov (Russian Federation)

Fotography has been a fascinating subject for me since early childhood. For some reason, I have never considered it as a professional venue, but it always remained my hobby throughout all the joyful and harsh moments of my life. Even the rigorous training in medical school or the perils of having a full-time job in a completely unrelated field were unable to sway me from it.

Lately I've understood that both the technical and aesthetical sides of my works have gradually improved through the years to the point where I am ready and willing to participate in competitions. I believe this is a perfect opportunity for me to showcase my existing skills and learn something new - as well as, perhaps, at last become known and make a name for myself in professional photography.