Roman Kaykov, CEO of Kaykov Media and producer and director of Kaykov TV, recently welcomed world-renowned photographer and Magnum Photos member Gueorgui Pinkhassov to the Kaykov Media studio. After personally showing him around and introducing him to the team, Kaykov invited Pinkhassov to take part in a recorded conversation alongside filmmaker and composer Ben Isakov.
What followed was not simply an interview, but a thoughtful and engaging discussion exploring Pinkhassov’s artistic journey, his rise to international recognition, and the philosophy behind his work.
Born in Moscow in 1952 to a Bukharian Jewish family, Pinkhassov’s life reflects a unique blend of cultures. Raised in a predominantly Russian-speaking environment, he was not deeply immersed in traditional community life, yet the presence of his heritage remained significant. “You cannot separate yourself from your roots,” he noted. “They exist within you, whether you realize it or not.”
During the conversation, Pinkhassov spoke candidly about how his path into photography was shaped not by planning, but by circumstance. What many might call coincidence, he sees as something essential to creativity. “The strongest photograph is accidental,” he explained. “The real challenge is to notice it.”
This philosophy has defined his work for decades. From Moscow to Central Asia, Pinkhassov has developed a distinctive visual language—transforming everyday scenes into poetic compositions of light, movement, and human presence.
Particular attention was given to his early work documenting Bukharian Jewish communities in Uzbekistan. These photographs, taken without the intention of creating an archive, have since become valuable historical records of a changing world.
One of the most striking moments he shared was from his time in Mongolia. Years after completing his work there, he was contacted by locals who told him his photographs had become part of their national memory. “They told me, ‘You are our national hero. No one documented us like you did,’” Pinkhassov recalled.
Now based in Paris, Pinkhassov continues to explore the relationship between light, time, and perception. His work stands in contrast to today’s fast-paced visual culture, inviting viewers to slow down and truly see.
He also emphasized the importance of preserving archives, noting that the real value of photography often reveals itself over time. What appears ordinary today may become an essential part of history tomorrow.
The full podcast conversation with Gueorgui Pinkhassov will be released on April 30 on the Kaykov TV YouTube channel: youtube.com/@KaykovTV
Roman Kaykov
Photos by Arthur Konovalov and Gueorgui Pinkhassov
