Arnold Mariashin was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). His first experience with photography was at age eight. He has graduating from the State University of Arts and Culture with a degree in film directing and a minor in photography and history of composition. He uses all types of cameras from half-frame up to 8x10 inches and prints photographs in the darkroom.

Photography is documental, documental in its essence - since its inception, and this is deceiving and irritating. The aim of a photograph to be, above all, an artistic image is often neglected, and is rather seen in being merely a formal confirmation of existence. This is an attempt to steer photography towards its fine arts origin - to prove that photography is something greater than a technical recording of reality. In achieving this, it has been necessary to change methodology of producing an image, rethink contemporary trends, return to original techniques.

Technology used in producing an image usually dictates (determines) its perception. Today's digital imaging is complete in all respects, and therefore capable of capturing the surrounding reality without flaws and with a hundred percent accuracy. It leaves nothing to an audience. Nothing to ponder about, nothing to dream of. The audience simply collects information - although, information of a high quality.

Opposite, Arnold Mariashin's photographs are technically imperfect. Photographs are handmade from the beginning to the end, and represent the energy of hands, memories, feelings and thoughts fixed in silver. This is not a "Decisive Moment", but a picture integrated in time, painted with a help of a brush and light. In these pictures the everybody can find space for their own fantasy, their own experiences.

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