TITLE: Sayans in the rain

The project “Sayans in the rain” is a visual study of the majestic siberian nature. Rocky peaks, huge boulders and taiga forests are the protagonists of the visual narrative. Rain is not an accidental element, but the main mediator between man and nature, a symbol of purification, overcoming and constant movement.

In conditions where the absolute harshness of the landscape prevails, photography acts as a mediator revealing the deep essence of the landscape. Nature becomes not only an object of pleasure, but a complex dramaturgy, a place of encounter with existential fear and admiration. Rain in this context becomes a metaphor for the erasure of boundaries, both material and psychological. It destroys the usual categories of control, subordination and possession.

The Yergaks, dissolved in a rainy mist, become the topography of the unconscious, where man ceases to be the dominant subject. Water, the main architect of these landscapes, creates a moving texture in which rocks, lakes and taiga massifs lose their clarity, transforming into hybrid forms that balance between the material and the illusory.
The works in this cycle remind us not only of the external majesty of nature, but also of the inner transformation that occurs to the human being caught in these conditions. The rain, cleansing the landscape, seems to wash away the superfluous from man, leaving him alone with the power of nature and himself.

The series of work offers the viewer not just a dialog with nature, but an experience of deconstructing the usual perception. This is a series that challenges visual comfort, inviting not contemplation, but active reflection on man's relationship with nature. Here photography becomes a medium of immersion, transforming the element of rain from a banal weather phenomenon into a universal symbol of purification, testing and rebirth.

AUTHOR: Marina Ogneva (Russian Federation)

Marina Ogneva is a self-taught nature photographer but has been shooting professionally for more than 13 years now. She is a member of the Russian Union of photography artists and a participant in numerous photo expeditions to Baikal, Altai, the Urals, Kamchatka and Transbaikalia.

In her artistic practice Marina Ogneva turns to nature as a complex space for inner dialog, self-reflection and meditation. Using landscape photography and graphics as complementary mediums, she emphasizes the metaphorical nature of images, their ability to transform emotions and create a connection between personal experience and universal themes. Her works are built on the belief that landscape photography is not only an object of contemplation, but also a powerful tool of harmonization that connects intellect, emotional sensitivity and physical engagement. Originally hailing from Kyrgyzstan, Marina Ogneva is currently based in Krasnoyarsk region (Siberia).

Professionally, she has been working in web/digital design, marketing, PM and copywriting for more than 18 years.

AWARDS
2025 – Monochrome Awards Photo Contest / Landscapes, Honorable mention
2025 – Monochrome Awards Photo Contest / Nature, Honorable mention
2025 - TIFA / Fine Art-abstract, Honorable mention
2024 - MonoVisions Black and White Photography Awards / Landscape (series), Honorable mention
2023 – Monochrome Awards Photo Contest / Landscapes, Honorable mention
2023 – Monochrome Awards Photo Contest / Nature, Honorable mention
2023 – Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) / Nature / Landscapes, Honorable mention
2023 – International Photography Award (IPA) / Nature: Landscape, Honorable mention
2023 – HIPA, Season 12 photography contest: Diversity / Portfolio, finalist
2021 – All-Russian photo contest: My Planet. Russia in detail / Winner
2021 – 8th All-Russian Wildlife Photo Festival: Pristine Russia / Finalist
2020 – photo contest 'About the Yenisei Siberia' / Winner
2019 – 5th photo contest of the Russian Geographical Society: The Most Beautiful Country / Macro, finalist
2018 – the regional photo contest: My Land. My View / Winner, grand prix owner
2018 – Wild Nature of Russia: National Geographic (NG) photo contest / Plants nomination, 2d place
2018 – 7th All-Russian Wildlife Photo Festival: Pristine Russia / Forest zone, finalist
2017 – Wild Nature of Russia: National Geographic (NG) photo contest / Landscape nomination, finalist

SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 – 'Hide in the fog the area', Museum center of contemporary art / Krasnoyarsk
2019 – 'Nature from the heart' / Krasnoyarsk gallery
2019 – open-air exhibition: 'Siberian Nature' / Zheleznogorsk Central Park of Culture and Leisure
2019 - 'Nature from the heart' / Gorky Library / Zheleznogorsk

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selected)
2024 – 'Forms. Images. Thoughts' / Regional exhibition hall of fine arts / Krasnodar
2023 – 'Yergaki' / Museum center of contemporary art / Krasnoyarsk
2023 – 'My space' / Museum center of contemporary art / Krasnoyarsk
2021 – 'My Planet. Russia in detail' / Museum Friedland / Kaliningrad
2021 – 8th All-Russian Wildlife Photo Festival: Pristine Russia / New Tretyakov Gallery / Moscow
2018 – Wild Nature of Russia: National Geographic (NG) / Central House of Artist / Moscow