Posts Tagged "streetphoto"
Andrei: Skateboardist
Another shot of Andrei with his skateboard.
Russia-NYC Photo Series 14
When people in Russia bring up Harlem in conversation with me, it is almost always in the context of "a very dangerous place," as if they are picturing a scene from the 1970s film "The Warriors." So, I found it curious when Anna walked by me in Sochi wearing a shirt with Harlem written across it. I didn't get a chance to speak in detail with her and her boyfriend - they were tired from a near 7 hour car trip they made to Sochi for the weekend. Anna said she came from Krimsk, a town that was terribly damaged by flooding a few years ago, a tragic event that dominated headlines for several days.
Russia-NYC Photo Series 12
Moscow has a reputation of being a cold city both literally and figuratively. I have heard people say on a few occasions something along the lines: 'Moscow is a place for earning money, not living.' But you will see many 'warm' moments that will convince you otherwise if you stroll through the city's parks on nearly any given day. This photo of a young guy in a Brooklyn shirt and his girlfriend was taken at the Moscow 'Color Festival' this summer ... though it may actually be a bit above a 'warm' moment on the temperture scale.
Russia-NYC Photo Series 8
Vlad was standing with his girlfriend outside a metro station in northwestern Moscow. Vlad said he bought the shirt because he likes the Brooklyn Nets, which is owned by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. Vlad is a fire-fighting specialist for the Russian Emergency Ministry, which probably explains his big physique.
Russia-NYC Photo Series 4
It's the equivalent of hitting two home runs in a game - finding two friends that are both wearing NYC-themed clothing. This wasn't the only time. I first saw the guy on the right in the metro with the Bronx hat, the first time I came across that borough here. I only noticed his friend was wearing a Manhaatan shirt once I got ready to take their photo.
Russia-NYC Photo Series 6
Zhenya, a dancer and DJ from Nizhny Novgorod in central Russia, was visiting a tattoo convention in Moscow when I saw him. He had just gotten a tattoo on his upper left arm. Zhenya said he bought his Brooklyn bikers cap in NYC last year during a work trip.
Russia-NYC Photo Series 3
A portrait of the young girl from the Russian Arctic peninsula of Yamal sporting her "I ❤️NY" winter hat.
Russia-NYC Photo Series 2
These girls are Khanti, one of the native Siberian ethnic groups, and they live on Yamal peninsula, a slither of Russia on the Arctic circle that is the gas equivalent of Saudi Arabia. These girls were attending a local annual festival and were dressed in ethnic clothing...except for their hats. The one on the left is wearing a winter cap with the words: "I ❤️ NY."
Stalin Jokes with Lenin
Moscow Portrait: One popular Russian film goes by the title "Irony of Fate," something that could be applied to Sasha's life. Born in Perm in the Urals, he said he served nine years in part for anti-communist actions. Now he makes a living portraying the man who personifies of Russian communism: Lenin.
Latif: Stalin Imitator from Georgia
Latif was a big-rig driver, hauling goods, including wine from his native Georgia and apples from Iran to Russia. He said his work travels also included Germany. For the past five years though, he has been hanging around Red Square dressed as Stalin, earning about 100 rubles per photo with eager tourists. Latif says he goes home every two months for two weeks at a time to see family. The father of four said his wish is simple - to see his children and grand children do well. When he hangs up his Stalin costume for good, he says he will likely head back home to his native village in Georgia.
