Independent photography - that is, photography that did not conform to official norms and, therefore, could not be exhibited or published in the mass media - appeared in the USSR in the 1950s. In this period, official photography was totally controlled by state ideologists. It was prohibited to shoot religious ceremonies or make allusions to any religious topics (this was qualified as 'religious propaganda'). Nude photography became synonymous with pornography and was not allowed. Critically charged social photographs were immediately considered as 'ideological sabotage' and were banned. Ideological censorship also brushed aside symbolism, aesthetism and any formal experiments in photography. In the 1950s-1980s photographers and artists likewise could either opt for conformism and produce the works meeting all ideological requirements or maintain their right to individual creative freedom. In this case, they could show their shots to close friends but there remained no...
Independent photography - that is, photography that did not conform to official norms and, therefore, could not be exhibited or published in the mass media - appeared in the USSR in the 1950s. In this period, official photography was totally controlled by state ideologists. It was prohibited to shoot religious ceremonies or make allusions to any religious topics (this was qualified as 'religious propaganda'). Nude photography became synonymous with pornography and was not allowed. Critically charged social photographs were immediately considered as 'ideological sabotage' and were banned. Ideological censorship also brushed aside symbolism, aesthetism and any formal experiments in photography. In the 1950s-1980s photographers and artists likewise could either opt for conformism and produce the works meeting all ideological requirements or maintain their right to individual creative freedom. In this case, they could show their shots to close friends but there remained no...
