The exhibit Soviet Photo, currently up at the Lumiere Brothers Center for Photography in Moscow, traces trends in photography in the USSR from 1926 to 1997.

This image from 1937, by Boris Ignatovich and titled "Youth," features a diagonal shot made popular by the photo-taking group October.

Another Boris Ignatovich shot, from 1927, shows dramatic perspective and diagonal framing.

In the USSR, photography centered on the political events of the time. This image, taken by Alexander Ustinov in 1941, details a wartime effort.

A photo from 1927 by Arkady Shaikhet, titled "Bathing Homeless," exemplifies early efforts at documentary-style photography.

"Perfume No8" was a still life-turned-fashion shot by Alexander Khlebnikov, from 1958.

Exhibit co-curator Yana Iskakova says that after the war a period followed of "pictures of new heroes of the time---intellectuals, scientists, and musician.” This is of a physicist in 1960, by Anatoly Khrupov.

A World War II shot taken in 1944 by photojournalist Anatoli Egorov.

A morale-raising wartime photo taken by Alexander Rodchenko in 1945.

In the late 1950s, Vladimir Stepanov photographed a series, titled "Start," focusing on the production and use of cameras.

Fidel Castro had lunch with Soviet politician Nikita Khrushchev in 1963. Vasily Egorov capturing the moment.

Later in the 20th century, photographers became more experimental with their compositions. By Vasily Kunjaev, 1970.

This 1963 photo of a physics professor is the work of Vsevolod Tarasevich, part of his series "Moscow State University."

"Youth," by Vitaly Arutyunov , 1975.

Dmitry Debabov took this Arctic photo in 1931, during the reportage era.

Vladimir Laganzh shot this photo of a student in 1976, a time when Soviet artists favored a freer, less posed style of photography.