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170 Honest Pictures Of Russia You’ll Never See On Postcards By Street Photographer Alexander Petrosyan
Professional photographer Alexander Petrosyan has spent years and years discovering and documenting infinite layers of St. Petersburg through street photography. His photo series - not only beautiful but also grotesque - invites outsiders to step inside the raw and unpredictable streets and experience the life of Russian people without a filter, common for polished postcards or travel documentaries.
Petrosyan received his first camera as a birthday present when he was 12, but he quit and came back to photography multiple times, before finally turning professional in 2000. His biggest inspiration comes from the streets of St. Petersburg, where he has lived his whole life. From the times of the Russian Empire to the near destruction during World War II, and the rebirth under Vladimir Putin - the city is full of real life and history, and Alexander knows every corner of it by heart. "This is my world," he says.
Now a full-time photojournalist, Alexander doesn't leave his home without a camera and a backup battery. "Perception depends on many different factors," he says. "But if the picture is taken with a certain energy, the viewer will feel it, regardless of geography and culture."
Now scroll down below and check the interesting photos of life in Russia for yourself!
More info: aleksandrpetrosyan.com | Instagram | Facebook (h/t: dyt)
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Julia Tingarov 5 years ago
WOW! Y'all know this is Eastern Orthodox Cross? I love this composition!!!
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TheReader19 7 years ago
This picture is so sad, the kid look so poor. However; kids are always so positive and happy no matter what their situation
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Polianne Gonzalez 7 years ago
Ok now I absolutely love it that camera oh my God I'm going to Russia just to get one of those camera beautiful just beautiful
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Jake Malone 7 years ago
Nobody is holding their crotch and only one guy has his legs crossed. What picture are you looking at?
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Bruce Kunde 7 years ago
The very rich and very poor and no middle........just as America is becoming
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Πέτρος Μπουρνιάς 7 years ago
""Dance me to the End of Love""". Pls put Leonard's song to play while watching this photo it will make a lot of sense......
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Polianne Gonzalez 7 years ago
It looks like the Italian movie Ladrón de bicicleta by Rosellini beautiful
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Πέτρος Μπουρνιάς 7 years ago
""Dance me to the End of Love""". Pls put Leonard's song to play while watching this photo it will make a lot of sense......
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George Koukos 3 years ago
What the hell is this? Shouldn't there be a changing room at the very least?
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Rebecca Ri 4 years ago
He is like: "homosexual actions and it's propaganda are forbidden! And now turn around. I must touch you with my mighty stick!"
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Doris Culverhouse 7 years ago
They have some beautiful clothes and shoes but then there is the homeless paupers.
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Walkus-Andrew Andrea 7 years ago
final few days of pregnancy is always the hardest on a person
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What do you think ?
Damian Dookhoo 7 years ago
Really great eye! Some of the best photos I've seen all year, that's some quality.
DancingToMyself 7 years ago
I love every one of them. They show us the hardness life, and also poetic in some morbid situations. Just love them.
4Sunshine 7 years ago
Thank you Alexander Petrosyan for the amazing photos you've brought us. If the pictures are meant to evoke emotion, you and they did an awesome job. I was overwhelmed with sadness, even from the seemingly "happy" scenes. I hope Russian life isn't completely as depressing as it would seem to be.
Tommy Sola 7 years ago
I dont know what to say besides interesting photos. Kudos and thank you for sharing.
Harutyun Alaverdyan 7 years ago
you forget to say the most important detail about him, he has so poor vision, semi-blind
Sherry Straus 7 years ago
Russia is just so bleak, grey, cold, hard. It is no wonder so many drink, I would!!
Benny Lava 7 years ago
Russia is a very depressive country. The people are deeply unhappy with their lives. The photos are great and very true to life though. Really talented photographer.
Superluminal1 7 years ago
Fantastic street photography shots! I wonder if the photographer was harassed by police when these were taken?
Vasia Golopuzov 7 years ago
C'mon guys.. indeed "honest pictures",sorry for being sarcastic. I don't know the other work of this guy so I won't pass judgement on his talent but this series is s****y, pardon my french.
Damian Dookhoo 7 years ago
Really great eye! Some of the best photos I've seen all year, that's some quality.
DancingToMyself 7 years ago
I love every one of them. They show us the hardness life, and also poetic in some morbid situations. Just love them.
4Sunshine 7 years ago
Thank you Alexander Petrosyan for the amazing photos you've brought us. If the pictures are meant to evoke emotion, you and they did an awesome job. I was overwhelmed with sadness, even from the seemingly "happy" scenes. I hope Russian life isn't completely as depressing as it would seem to be.
Tommy Sola 7 years ago
I dont know what to say besides interesting photos. Kudos and thank you for sharing.
Harutyun Alaverdyan 7 years ago
you forget to say the most important detail about him, he has so poor vision, semi-blind
Sherry Straus 7 years ago
Russia is just so bleak, grey, cold, hard. It is no wonder so many drink, I would!!
Benny Lava 7 years ago
Russia is a very depressive country. The people are deeply unhappy with their lives. The photos are great and very true to life though. Really talented photographer.
Superluminal1 7 years ago
Fantastic street photography shots! I wonder if the photographer was harassed by police when these were taken?
Vasia Golopuzov 7 years ago
C'mon guys.. indeed "honest pictures",sorry for being sarcastic. I don't know the other work of this guy so I won't pass judgement on his talent but this series is s****y, pardon my french.
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