Russian photographer, journalist, and social worker Dmitry Markov is known for his gritty images in which he depicts the macabre peculiarities of Russian life, mostly of those that are less well-off. The photographer explains that the reason why he's drawn to the "ugly side of life" is because he considers himself to be a part of it. Half of the people he photographs he knows personally, and it shows since his photos always have an element of intimacy.