Final answer:
Valeriy Reshetnyak likely took his photographs to tell compelling stories and evoke emotions, inspired by earlier photographers who elevated the medium to a form of fine art. His intent, in the tradition of pioneers like Stieglitz, was to capture images that resonated with viewers on an artistic and emotional level.
Step-by-step explanation:
Valeriy Reshetnyak took his photographs with the intent to document and tell the stories of the world around him. Influential figures in photography like Riis, Alfred Stieglitz, and Cartier-Bresson, all advanced the idea that photography could capture more than mere images; they could convey powerful messages, evoke emotions, and inspire change. Reshetnyak, similar to these pioneers, may have been driven by a desire to produce work that resonated on a deeper level, whether to showcase the stark realities of life, convey the swift changes in modern culture, or encapsulate an evocative moment. His work, like that of Stieglitz's, could be seen as an artistic endeavor that not only depicted the subject but also reflected the photographer's vision and sentiment.
Photography's emergence as a fine art, especially during the Photo-Secession movement, demonstrated that photographers sought to create images that were akin to paintings or etchings in their emotional and aesthetic expressions. This pursuit of using photography to make powerful statements likely influenced Reshetnyak's approach to his craft. Photographers have long used their medium to engage with viewers, evoke pathos, and provide a transformative vision that resonates with the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of their audience—a tradition Reshetnyak might have aimed to continue through his photographs.