Katya: Teenage Skateboarder
MOSCOW: The number of people skateboarding in Moscow really seems to have surged. Some say its just a temporary 'fashion.' Part of the growth is driven by the expanding pedestrian zones and skateparks around the city that make it easier for people to take up the sport. Usually, you just see people skating at parks and other designated spots, but I recently saw three skating from one end of a metro platform to the other. This is a photo of Muscovite Katya, 14. She was in the metro with her longboard. Unlike many skateboarders I have met recently, Katya said has been skateboarding for several years.
Tatiana & Daria: Tango Dancing
NIZHNY NOVGOROD: Most of the people next to the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin were gazing down on the Volga on this sunny early evening.....Except these two teenage girls - Tatiana and Daria - who decided to dance. Daria, who studies classical dances, was giving Tatiana an impromtu tango lesson. I asked why now and why by the Kremlin. "Those who love to dance, will dance anywhere, anytime," responded Daria.
Stas: Retired Muscovite
MOSCOW: Stas, 69, was slowly riding his bike along the Moscow River at sunset. Born in Baku and living 35 years in Moscow, Stas said he exercises along the river twice a day: in the morning and evening. Stas, who has four grandchildren, said it was impossible to bike here 10 years ago. Bottles, cigarettes and condoms were tossed here. Not only has the riverside become nicer, but people are exercising and smiling more, there are more children and men are smoking less, said the retired Muscovite. Girls seem to be smoking more. More people are leading a healthy lifestyle today because 10 years ago, sporting goods "were expensive and you couldn't find them in stores." Plus people realize they need to exercise now to live well in retirement.
Vasily & Nikita: College Roommates
MOSCOW: When I exited the metro and saw Vasily and Nikita in their outfits, I thought I landed on a movie set about the 1920s. They said they were on their way to a blues concert. I asked if they often go and Nikita answered that they only met 3 days ago. I asked how they met and they explained that they were placed in one room in the university dormitory. Living meters from each other now, these two could probably not have come from further edges of the former USSR. Vasily, 17, comes from Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Russia's Far East while Nikita, 20, is from Vinnitsa in Western Ukraine.
Tanya: Advertisement Manager
MOSCOW: Tanya, 27, was riding across Red Square on a yellow-turquoise bicycle right before sunset on a weekday evening. A manager for strategic planning at a ad agency, Tanya says she doesn't often get a chance to bike. She often returns home late from work, so only gets to bike at best once a week. However, on this particular sunny day, her employer held an outdoor corporate event. She left early, went home and got her bike. "I try to ride at any opportunity as summer doesn't last long." Born in Saratov region on the Volga, she moved to Moscow to study and stayed upon finishing. She earned two degrees, studying at two faculties at the same time.
Russian Balalaika Maker
MOSCOW: He was sitting in a courtyard in the center of Moscow playing a balalaika. He said he worked in a small company that makes balalaikas. The production is based in Ulyanovsk on the Volga. I was in a rush and didn't have time to speak more with him, but asked for a photo. He posed himself. I hope to go back to this spot in Moscow and find out more about the company and its plans.
Yura & Sergei: Nizhny Guitarists
NIZHNY NOVGOROD: I was walking along Nizhny Novgorod's riverside at 5:30 pm when I saw Yura and Sergei playing their guitars. "We are just sitting, playing for ourselves," they told me. I chatted about 15 minutes with them and left to finish photographing the city. Yura told me they would be sitting her til sunset and that it was worth coming back to photograph it. I walked around for 3 hours and found myself back at the same spot right after sunset. The boys were still there, but were packing up their guitars. I ran over to get a last shot of them against the sky. Yura was right, it was worth coming back to photograph. To see some photos of Nizhny Novgorod, please click here.
Sergei: Flower for Girlfriend
NIZHNY NOVGOROD: Sergei was wearing a camouflage shirt, leather coat and punk-style braclets on his wrists. In his right hand he held a single rose. He was standing next to the rail station and said he had come from Derzhinsk, 40 km west. I asked why he had a flower. "I want to give it to my girlfriend. She has an important university entrance exam today." Sergei said they met four years ago. She will attend university in Nizhny while he finishes school in Derzhinsk. He said it won't impact their relationship. They like to spend their time checking out abandoned buildings. Their best finds are a gas mask probably dating to the 1950s and a 1887 kopeek coin. I asked Sergei about his future plans. I asked Sergei what he would like to do when he gets old. He said he wants to go into politics. To see some photos of Nizhny Novgorod, please click here.
Oleg & Alexei: Twins from Nizhny Novgorod
NIZHNY NOVGOROD: Oleg and Alexei, 25 year-old twins, were walking to a music festival where they were invited to dance. The graphic designers said they grew up in a village outside of Nizhny Novgorod, but moved to the city where they now live. I asked how they got into dance. They said they were inspired by films, including Step Up, and gave it a try. Now it has become a serious hobby. The two also practice fire shows and dream of their own performance combining dance and fire.
About Shades of Russia
Shades of Russia is an independent photography blog about people and life in Russia and the former Soviet Union. There are more than 500 portraits posted from about 15 Russian cities, Belarus, Ukraine and Caucasus. The first portraits date back to the summer of 2013.
