This Is What Russia Really Looks Like: 40 Honest Photos By Aleksandr Petrosyan (New Pics)
Interview With ArtistRussia is often an interesting and bizarre place, especially for those who are not really familiar with the culture. Photographer Alexander Petrosyan's goal is to show the real, unfiltered Russia. With all the weird situations, unique people, and beauty of its cities.
The photographer travels Russia, capturing all the interesting moments. His style is very expressive and every photo has a story to tell. Many of Alexander's photos show certain traditions Russians have. Like swimming in the freezing lake in winter, burning an idol for the winter to go away, and many more.
Alexander has been featured on Bored Panda before. Click here and here to see the previous articles.
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This is for a large party they have every year for high school graduates. Like all the photos in this collection, this is in Saint Petersburg. The Red Sails ship is from a famous Russian youth novel. This is taken from the beach of the Peter and Paul fortress.
It happens during White Nights. My wife went to high school in St Petersburg, and remembered it fondly.
Load More Replies...There seems to be a local gravity anomaly on the right. How does the lady in green stay up? Her right arm, purse and jacket don't seem to be pulled straight down. The person in red pants doesn't seem to be supporting her.
I noticed the new version of my camera phone has a sort of warped lense when zoomed out to a certain point. Maybe this is that?
Load More Replies...Alexander gave us an interview and told Bored Panda about his photography. His main goal is to "share my personal view of the world I live in." He photographs Russia and its people to show others what it's like living there and experiencing all that is going on. It's interesting to see the country from the perspective of the person living there. They know all the nooks and crannies of their country, their traditions, and their people.
Alexander has been photographing since he was a child. On one of his birthdays, he received a photo camera and since then he's done nothing else but capture the world around him. It is easy to see that photography runs in his veins. After many years of practice and experience, he has become a great photographer, able to capture the most unique and interesting moments.
Blows my mind that there are stray dogs that actually survive outdoors in these climates
how can people leave that young a kid on the street? Offering him a hot drink isn't going to help him survive for long. Russia is harsh for not only LGBT.
Picture ought be in oils on a canvas. A bit of a crop and it's perfect.
Alexander opened up that the most challenging part of photography is coming up with new and fresh ideas, seeing the same things from a new perspective. Any creative individual would agree that creativity doesn't always flow easily. Sometimes you just have to force yourself to do the things you love to find the passion and flame again.
Peter and Paul fortress in the background, this is the type of armor Bogatyrs wore.
Ilya Muromets, Alyosha Popovich, Dobrynya Nikitich, and Prince Vladimir!
Time travelling? Re-enactment? Who are these guys with pointy helmets?
Alexander told us that he doesn't have a particular process when it comes to capturing these photos. He just goes with the flow. Alexander goes outside and just sees what happens. He said: "I always rely solely on chance." This pays off really well for him because he has lots of interesting and unique moments captured in his portfolio.
"The cars are coming. The cars are coming", the boy shouted as all ran for cover.
That coach is beautiful!!!! Do they use these still today? I dont know a lot about Russia but love learning about it.
A fairy tale stagecoach side by side with a Lada. Doesn't get more Russian than that.
Wonder if this was someone important, or if it's like taking a carriage ride around Central Park? Now I want a carriage!
Alexander describes his photography style as: "Petrosyanschina." There is no denying that the photographer has a unique and original style and concept. Not many photographers manage to capture such moments and movement in their photos. He mentioned that this is just the way life goes in Russia. He didn't even need to come up with a concept, Alexander just needed to go outside and capture what was happening.
She didn’t want to get her shoes wet, so she took them off and walked under the sprinkler
Built on millions of pilings driven into the swamp by Swedish POWs from Poltova.
Swedish POWs were nowhere near Saint-Petersburg. Most of them were sent to Siberia.
Load More Replies...Alexander has been doing this for 21 years. He started in the 2000s and is not planning to stop anytime soon. He said he is inspired by life itself and the people of Russia. Alexander said: "They love not for something, but despite it." If you live in Russia or anywhere near, you probably know that they are one of the most hospitable people. If you come over to their home, they will have a whole table of food and drinks prepared. Make sure you're comfortable and have anything you need. Also, they are great company and are fun people!
Someone taped a sign on her back: "If you can read this, watch your step."
The photographer said this when asked what advice he would give to a photographer who is just starting out: "Saturate your soul with the best that has been created in the history of mankind." If you surround yourself with things you love, with things that inspire you, you are bound to become better at your craft. "The secret of my enthusiasm, which is actually very simple: every fall and failure is a springboard for future success! I am interested in looking for myself in new senses, in new situations. The development is more interesting for me than the end result."
The Priest Ponders. At first I thought he was smoking, which made it even better.
Title of the photo should definitely be "The Pondering Priest"
Load More Replies..."Wait a minute, is print in at the moment?! I thought white fabric was on trend..."
Cats turn to alternative methods of attracting attention as Cat Appreciation Society membership continues to fall.
So, no wonder Winston Churchill did not trust him. To him, lovers of both dogs and cats were the best; of dogs, second; of cats third; of neither: very wary.
Load More Replies...They sprinkled a handful of earth under his body so that he could rise again.
Load More Replies...I like looking at the people in the background. I'm sure the photographer didn't mean for the photo to be a Halloween reference, but that's one heck of a vampire! Happy Halloween everyone 🧛
So confused. Is this a subway or bus, and how did the man in the restroom get into the photo? Were they passing a restroom? As I said, confused.
Subway, and there's a restroom in the station outside, seen through the window
Load More Replies...She is actually frozen solid since 2007. They are behind in the "frozen pedestrian removal" program.
Load More Replies...Probably hours practicing in front of the mirror and studying selfies.
I think this brings out the fact that we are all pretty much the same. Take away the Russian writing and it could be New Orleans, Las Vegas, Amsterdam etc.
She's poor and doing her best to survive. Maybe care for a family at home too. No one is a se* worker as a hobby.
Load More Replies...i know it's almost a literal translation, but nosorog is a great word for rhinoceros
looks like the officer on the right is from Texas, has he don't need no mask.
Where is the car that is shown as a reflection on the car? Was it removed and she was added after the photo was taken? Confused.
It looks as if the two cars are parallel parked, buttressing the stone wall. The lady is walking in front of them.
Load More Replies...maybe I'm seeing too much into this photo, but it's interesting how the colors and exterior of the building is chipped, cold and has weathered the change of seasons and history. Meanwhile indoors is a modern lighting illuminating a 21st century woman cleaning her kitchen. Idk if I connected the words exactly what the photo conveys to me, but it's fascinating how times change but preserve!
I'm sure the kitchen is scrubbed often. These women are balabustas.
There a lot of countries where curtains aren't common. It's mainly in regions where people need daylight and the climate doesn't have much sunny days.
Load More Replies...This, or like a colord black and white picture from years ago.
Load More Replies...On Friday evenings Igor plays his instrument for the benefit of the men without women.
Your local bicycle shop should help. They're not uncommon.
Load More Replies...Female columns are called caryatids. Males are called atlanteans. What animal columns are called I would be grateful to know.
Breaks my heart. My aging parents were saving almost 10 years to take a cruise to celebrate their 50 years of marriage. She has been longing deeply to see the Hermitage. Literally her biggest wish. Then COVID happened. Now she is too frail. What hurts more, I urged her to travel years earlier, why wait. But she thought it had to be connected to that wedding date. She's been so sad for moths. She knew her dream of visiting st Petersburg and the oh so beautiful Hermitage, would stay a dream. It still tears me up, so never asked for anything. This was gone be all for her. Sorry for sobbing here.
Right! Your the only person to notice the family and what the heck is going on?
Load More Replies...Oh, how I wish architecture like this was the norm. Those old buildings, columns, statues, wrought iron light fixtures, balconies, brick walks... just beautiful.
What is going on with the woman being carried away? And the other one that needs to be??
Bah to the architecture. I want to know what’s going on with the woman being four point carried by her family!
Married at last and there off to the black Sea for some honeymoon high-jinks.
Does it matter? Presumably she won't be walking on places where food or something are. It is healthy to walk barefoot. It is likely she would wash them daily.
Load More Replies...Epiphany Day commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. Usually January 19th. It is cold cold cokd ...
i think it's a holy cold water bath and common ritual during Winter-time.. idk
Load More Replies...This is right in front of the Peter and Paul fortress overlooking the Hermitage. Taking a dip on epiphany is supposed to grant you good health for the year. Can't bring myself to do it.
Yeah, this is a breathtaking surrounding! And the Hermitage is stellar! Needing a day or so to get around?
Load More Replies...A hole in the ice for dipping, nicely decorated. I love the pull cord tassel.
The pictures are there so when you emerge screaming 'Jesus Christ!' it's not blasphemy.
I think they are going to modernize the building, looks like some finished on the right.
Load More Replies...Then I told em. "don't like my drain's and eat'n than make your own bed".
Wait till you see her after she Photoshops the picture, you’ll be drooling over her.
Load More Replies...They just bought this ship for this occasion for the graduating students. They block off the Palace square and have a huge concert for the graduating students.
Someday, a sailor will take me on his ship and we'll sail into the sunset.
Like the Beetles, if they made a whole album based off of the fact that they were splitting up...
Load More Replies...See the cat in the left hand corner? How do the stray stay warm in the Russian winter?
The same as in the American winter, commanding a human to keep them warm.
Load More Replies...St Petersburg. They make money off tourists to have their photo taken with a historical figure
Load More Replies...Right next to the hermitage, one of my favorite restaurants is right down the street.
OK so he is dressed as Peter the Great, these folks charge 300 rubles to get your photo taken with them.
That is possibly the most horrifying sentence I heard my entire life 🤣
Load More Replies...I just assume a Putin sweater is a warning of ignorance, like a MAGA hat.
I suspect Trump has several of these Putin shirts.
Load More Replies...The blue beret is what the Russian Paratroopers wear, this is during their holiday on the 2nd of August.
Complaining about trends among young people that don't affect you at all just screams angry condescending Boomer.
Load More Replies...I guess you mean the one in yellow cause she’s the only one wearing colours but, honestly, it could be any of them. They’re all dressed very differently.
Load More Replies...Yep. Corporate globalization. I damn near vomited in Paris when I crossed a street with both a McD and a Starbucks.
Load More Replies...I don't like McDonald's generally, but the Big Macs I got in Moscow were AMAZING.
“My great-great-great-great-great grandfather bit Father Gapon on this very spot.”
At least looks clean. I have been in way worst hotels in Central America. And they have giant cockroaches.
We've forgotten how Lino covers a multitude of sins with a smooth [ish] coating!
When the air temperature is below the freezing point, liquid water feels warmer, as it can't be below 32 F. Getting out of the water is another question, as the heat transfer is way more efficient from wet bodies and clothes.
Is that drones or fireworks? It's pretty cool if it's drones, amazing if it's fireworks.
Definitely drones. You might like this video of Scotland's Hogmanay 2020 show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LKKmimrsx8
Load More Replies...Nature show: "The wildebeest are nearly ready to begin their annual migration." 122-tanzan...84a157.jpg
I wonder what they're thinking wearing masks and looking out at all those people
That the zombie apocalypse would leave no survivors
Load More Replies...300 rubles for a photo with these guys, they are kind of annoying. Really pushy.
I've done this. Drawn my fingers into my palm and taken them out of the fingers of the glove - this can actually be warmer. Your fingers warm each other. Separated by wool can make them cold. This is why mittens are more efficient at keeping hands warm.
Load More Replies...Sadly they seem to match the US in idolising 'the military', instead of seeing it as an expensive necessity.
Worriedly checking her phone for messages explaining why everyone else is leaving town.
Displaying the two immortal qualities of Russia: the beauty of the soul, and the practice of the knout.
Aww...I kinda want to give that little old lady some tea and cookies.
Once again, this could be anywhere. We are more alike than we think. Homelessness is never pretty (if in fact, this is a homeless person).
The one talking makes me think of one of the faces in Norman Rockwell's "Gossip".
Russian are more racist than Americans, and not only against blacks.
Russia imposed a law several years ago banning swearing. Perhaps she's about to clean out someone's mouth. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-censorship/russia-launches-swearing-ban-books-films-plays-risk-fines-idUSKBN0F64L920140701
I think they're burning the effigy of Morana - it's a tradition across Eastern Europe.
She weighs one hundred fifty kilograms and fires two hundred dollar, custom-tooled cartridges at ten thousand rounds per minute. It costs four hundred thousand dollars to fire this weapon for twelve seconds.
I think they are burning Morena - a slavic end of winter ritual. In a way typical for Russians.
Almost didn't notice that the photographer blurred out his reflection in the window.
woah this gives me a headache almost.. I feel the rat-race, or just crowded places in general... Me on the left having a quarterlife crisis xD
The kids don't look shocked or anything. Maybe they hadn't noticed his pants are down? Maybe they are used to it?
Is that a young girl? She looks like she could be 10 years old... or 40 years old.
I visited Russia (Moscow mostly) for 4 months a decade ago and I still can't get that place out of my head. I loved these pictures ❤️
I've been lucky enough to visit St Petersburg and Moscow and have such great memories.
Load More Replies...Agree. The composition and color are really fantastic in some of these.
Load More Replies...I was transported into difference places.. could hear the sounds and smells, the stories. I haven't seen photography like this before, it's very thought-provoking
Wonderful photos! Russia is so often portrayed as joyless and dismal; it's very nice to see a more balanced and human picture of the culture.
Hollywood spreads so much hate for Russia, but whenever I look at photos of Russia, it seems like a really interesting, colorful and vivacious country. Even a little crazy in good way. I love these! We should never spread hate towards any country or nation, that is just wrong.
I am mesmerized by the architecture and the skylines in these photos. I really need to visit Russia. It's a beautiful place
I visited Russia (Moscow mostly) for 4 months a decade ago and I still can't get that place out of my head. I loved these pictures ❤️
I've been lucky enough to visit St Petersburg and Moscow and have such great memories.
Load More Replies...Agree. The composition and color are really fantastic in some of these.
Load More Replies...I was transported into difference places.. could hear the sounds and smells, the stories. I haven't seen photography like this before, it's very thought-provoking
Wonderful photos! Russia is so often portrayed as joyless and dismal; it's very nice to see a more balanced and human picture of the culture.
Hollywood spreads so much hate for Russia, but whenever I look at photos of Russia, it seems like a really interesting, colorful and vivacious country. Even a little crazy in good way. I love these! We should never spread hate towards any country or nation, that is just wrong.
I am mesmerized by the architecture and the skylines in these photos. I really need to visit Russia. It's a beautiful place
