Vladimir Nikitin is a recognized expert in the field of the history of Russian photography and photojournalism. More than two decades headed the Department at the faculty of journalism, St. Petersburg state University, which thanks to his efforts was transformed into the Department of visual journalism and design periodicals media. The author of several books and over 200 articles on photography and photojournalism. Lectured and taught at universities Clemson and Northern Iowa (USA), Stockholm, Bergen.
His numerous publications on the history of photography is well known to all who are interested in photography. His advice used by researchers and practitioners working in this area: curators, collectors, archivists, libraries, museums, including such as the Hermitage, the State Russian Museum, the Museum of history of St. Petersburg and other
C. A. Nikitin — contributor, author and curator of numerous exhibitions, including abroad. Solo exhibitions: Clemson University (South Carolina, USA, 1998), nice (France, 1999), Copenhagen (Denmark, 2000), Sundsvall (Sweden, 2003). Pictures of his great cycle «Environment» in 2001 he exhibited in the Russian Museum, Marble Palace, Museum Ludwig), as well as in the Central exhibition hall » Manege» exhibition ‘Reality and myths of St. Petersburg» (October 2003). In the autumn of 2003 in Cannes with great success were created Century A. Nikitin exhibition “Saint-Petersbourge, l’immortelle”, which had a festive events dedicated to celebration of the 300th anniversary of our city.
Vladimir Nikitin — author of a unique photo project ’Petersburg-Petrograd-Leningrad-Petersburg — the twentieth century in photographs. His efforts created a multi-volume anthology of the works of St. Petersburg photographers. Out of print already four album: «Optimism memory. Leningrad 70s» SPb, 2000, St. Petersburg, 2002 (second revised edition); «Unknown blockade. Leningrad 1941-1944» SPb, 2002; it ’Time of unfulfilled hopes. Petrograd-Leningrad 1920-1930» SPb, 2007; «the End of the century: the transformation of being. Leningrad-Petersburg» SPb, 2013. This anthology is actually fundamental work on the history of Leningrad-St. Petersburg photojournalism and pictures and at the same time — visual chronicle of our city throughout the twentieth century.
In 1999 in connection with the 275 anniversary of St. Petersburg University Century A. Nikitin was awarded the Honorary diploma of the Ministry of education of the Russian Federation » for his great contribution in training, education and science».