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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)
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
bern Habubbi 8 years ago
Great photo, love doing this when i'm somehwhere it's possible to do so
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#2
Britta Niemann 8 years ago
Maybe she is just holding it up for the camera.
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Nouha Balti 8 years ago
I used to sleep on the roof of my house when I was a child and the sky was quite charming to contemplate before you fall asleep
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Meepmeepimajeep 8 years ago
This is awesome. If I had space on my roof with nice weather, this is what I would do with my wife.
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Polianne Gonzalez 8 years ago
Love it look at at her wrinkles beautiful grandmother the cat is OK
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bern Habubbi 8 years ago
How do people read a book and listen to music? (guy on the right) I find it impossible
#7
Christina Lee 8 years ago
God I hope she doesn't put a run in her pantyhose. I would be so mad!
Lynn Ruth Greyling 8 years ago
One of the best photographs I've ever seen, forget the reasons why...
#8
jevais 8 years ago
This can happen anywhere in the world. Here in Switzerland, this happens sometimes that cows run astray.
Load More Replies... Lena Maximova Sutherland 8 years ago
photoshopped. UGH! No, we do not have cows in the streets in Russia.
Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
Good thing there's sparse traffic in that town except for wandering cows and random drunkards, but they are crawling (the drunkards not the cows)
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Sharon Cullen 8 years ago
Gosh I hope someone saved that cat. This is sickening. And fed that dog!
jevais 8 years ago
Oh, my goodness, poor dog or wolf. How awful to starve to death in a country that has so many millionaires and billionaires. The same goes for all the poor people who suffer through the long winters. Horrible that nothing is done for the cat and the dog on the picture above. Do they have SPCA in Russia?
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Keith Verret 8 years ago
Remember, all the horse are to be taken down except Guaranteed Winner. Got 5 large on the nose!!
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Archie Moore 8 years ago
and you can be pretty certain those fellas ain't gay.
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Daria B 8 years ago
You can't be sure that silhouette is not a woman. Also, what if they're not together at all and it's all just an optical illusion? But it's interesting either way. This picture's value is in that it tells so many different stories, depending on your interpretation and immagination.
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Archie Moore 8 years ago
Sophia - which girl are you now? I thought, "that girl likes couture." was that what you were thinking?
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Arnold Harris 5 years ago
These young Russian soldiers remind me of my own three years of service, both active duty and reserves, in the US Army when I was a youngster back in 1952-1955. But one thing for certain; When we were on parade, no young ladies were part of our columns of male troopers. I'm glad that the cold wars of the USA and Communist USSR/Russia never escalated into thermonuclear international conflict. Arnold Harris, Mount Horeb WI ,
stanley estus 3 years ago
3/24/24 How many of these lads are now dead in the Ukraine fer "PIMP-putin the Poisoner"???
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Riah Willis 8 years ago
Stop acting like you never just wanna dress up like a giant pigeon and cruise the town.
Colin Idris Williams 2 years ago
Yes comrade, I shat on your car... now what will you be doing about it?
Polianne Gonzalez 8 years ago
When its ti cold for pigeon to come out the have to dress like this so people cheer up a little
#18
Мышь из Нижний! 5 years ago
I believe it is a girl and a boy, because they would not do that, it is dangerous.
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KaileighDark05 8 years ago
Gvutvgtujtvjyvvjyvjyvyjjyjvyyvuvtuutvutvvguvugutvutvtvutfjgfj
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#19
Amanda Cariker 8 years ago
I wonder if he had "The dream" the one where you're falling 1000 ft off a cliff... but really not so much!
Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
How bad is it in your country when men never even sober up and fall down everywhere like drunken clowns. Russia you had no business starting a war with anybody. Now when this guy sobers up he'll be missing a shoe and wearing no pants. Also he'll be in a cell. Obviously a perfect candidate for Storm Z. Off you go, Ivan!
Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
How bad is it in your country when men never even sober up and fall down everywhere like drunken clowns. Russia you had no business starting a war with anybody
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Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
If that fire happened outside a Russian bar, the drunken patrons could put it out from the roof in a matter of minutes
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Patrick McKenna 8 years ago
those two are absolute ringers, the disabled vet, he small boy's reaction. so much going on here.
stanley estus 3 years ago
Afghani vet...lets move up to the Vets from "PIMP-putins WAR" on the UKRAINIANS. 3/24/24.
Ricardo Garcia Jr. 8 years ago
"Hey there Wheels. Can you break a ten? Gotta pay for parking. Can you believe they don't validate?"
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Julia Tingarov 6 years ago
WOW! Y'all know this is Eastern Orthodox Cross? I love this composition!!!
Ruth Meszaros 8 years ago
Enigmatic--does the man need help from the doves to get out of the churchyard or something?
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Polianne Gonzalez 8 years ago
I thought she was on her side with her a*s out kind of like paint me like one of those French girls
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TheReader19 8 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
Evie Heaven 8 years ago
I don't see anything indicating they are poor... They might be dressed not in their best clothes, but these are boys in dirty yard, even if they did look perfect when going outside, they won't after some time playing...
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Ash Ferret 4 years ago
they are not wealthy, but their clothes are clean, someone is washing them- the compound is clean, there's a car being worked on- this is your average working class but stable Russian family.
jevais 8 years ago
Children pay a high price in this world. This is happening all over this planet, whether it in the northern or southern hemisphere. They are our future and little is done to save them, whether it is through wars or poverty. Humans have not evolved in general to the point of taking care of the weakest. Humans are in general selfish. It's so heartbreaking to little ones in such a state.
Krys-Tyna Collins 8 years ago
Poor? They look like regular kids. The laundry hanging is clean & in good shape.
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Daria B 8 years ago
Actually, I remember a Russian colleague at school giving a presentation on how cats are considered important in Russian culture (the topic was to give anything interesting about your country's culture, in an international language course in Korea).
Load More Replies... Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
Cats do not get drunk kick in her door in the middle of the night, or steal her purse for vodka money
Lena Maximova Sutherland 8 years ago
Crazy cat ladies in every country :) And not always a bad thing :)
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Paul Perrea 8 years ago
So many abandoned Churches. I only wish the abandoned estates were restored.
Paul Perrea 8 years ago
too many stupid churches which are very similiar in architecture! the estates need to be restored, they are the unique and interesting architecture
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Kirsa Rasmussen 8 years ago
I think he lost the bet...or he is doing the "naked man" and now the others are unsure what to do about it :-D
Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
"OK YOU! SPIN IN A CIRCLE AND SPELL RHINOCEROS! OR YOU GET THE HOSE AGAIN"
stanley estus 3 years ago
PIMP-putin the lil Boy F$CKIN filth in his early days in St. Petersburg in KGB. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~REF~ Carl Ungers ~"House of putin" "House of tRUMP"
#36
Deneille Smith 8 years ago
I don't know why but this reminds me of the movie, "Death Becomes Her"
Angelina Russo 8 years ago
This photo was taken in Russia, check the title
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Polianne Gonzalez 8 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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Riah Willis 8 years ago
Maybe she IS helping a miniature man up the ladder. We don't know their life.
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Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
Drunkard: "Aw what a nice young couple are these two. I have wedding present just for you!)" (BARFS)
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Jake Malone 8 years ago
Nobody is holding their crotch and only one guy has his legs crossed. What picture are you looking at?
#47
Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
Aww just some Oligarch kids having horsey day. Where are they now in 2024?
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Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
Russians are tough like a bag of nails my gosh that's asking for pneumonia...
#52
Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
She's thinking "I wonder if it's too late for the lipo?"
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Lori Panda 8 years ago
This woman very likely has cushing's syndrome. She has all the symptoms: buffalo hump behind the neck, all the weight concentrated in the midsection, and thin legs.
Sophia Bozok 8 years ago
She is looking at the men that has been forgotten in her mind for several years
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Meowoui 8 years ago
Just like here, cover over the man holes, come back later to dig them up again.
Jace 8 years ago
You don't cover manholes with anything but manhole covers, so there should be no reason to "dig them up".
Load More Replies... Lewisa Figurative Sculpture 8 years ago
Just like here, eight road crew hanging around while one does the work.
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Janet Martin 8 years ago
No head! Going to find one somewhere for de legs I got in the picture before.
#68
jevais 8 years ago
Poor babushka. So sad to see such elderly people obliged to work. In the USA this also is often the case. Old age pensions are so low or not existent.
#69
Eva Tóthová 8 years ago
yeah, by what they wear it can be like ...what... 10°C :-D ...jk
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#71
stanley estus 3 years ago
Ahhhhhhh. When one could have a nice smoky treat indoors with yer coffee. Great Pics.
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Hamadhi Hamadhi 3 years ago
Moslem in russia are so great. They still sholat/pray even on the cold wet street. The other side many beautifull cathedral are empty. Realy sad.
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Deneille Smith 8 years ago
Oh, you could never dress like this here you would be on the news, TV, facebook, etc... And then beaten by liberals who's feelings are hurt
Gloria Gonzales 8 years ago
Not only could you never dress like this here you should never dress like this anywhere. It's rude, it's insulting and it's awful. Liberals don't get their feelings hurt their sense of justice and good manners are insulted. What don't you understand?
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Just Jess 8 years ago
@Lira Mai You realize there are presently children living on the streets in America?
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Robert Maybeth 1 year ago
Shame on you Russia! Abandoned kids wearing torn rags. Sleeping by tomb of the unknown soldier - just to keep warm!
stanley estus 3 years ago
Living in the sewers like the Mongol children after the collapse of Commun"ism" during winter time??? We should talk; We WAR upon our most Vulnerable thru PURGES of SSI-Medicaid to give TAX BREAKS to WHITE N$GGER WELFARE Corporations...BUT we'er FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Debt Slavery & fascist multinational agendas.
Janet Martin 8 years ago
Would someone give them a broken down car to live in? Like in America! Geez!
jevais 8 years ago
Why not a proper home and food, why a car? What is going in the richest country (USA) in the world leaving children to die in the streets.
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stanley estus 3 years ago
LOOKIE FELLAS...tRUMPS getting a "GOLDEN SHOWER" from "LAP DANCING IVANKA"!!!!! .........................................SPASIBA PIMP-putin!!!
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Lewisa Figurative Sculpture 8 years ago
This is gorgeous form the colors to the lighting to the composition with the juxtaposition of the people.
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Nastya Polyanskaya 8 years ago
it's a trditionnal festival called "Maslenitsa", that celebrates the coming of spring. the burning figure symbolizes the winnter=)
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#94
Bruce Kunde 8 years ago
The very rich and very poor and no middle........just as America is becoming
#96
Πέτρος Μπουρνιάς 8 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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tatiana gonzales 8 years ago
Is dressing up for weddings just a woman thing? I wonder if men are happy to have to put on a tux. Maybe he is protesting it
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stanley estus 3 years ago
& when Mom is gone these r the most precious memories.
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Paul Perrea 8 years ago
Cultural imperialism or cultural expropriation? F that, both are bogus and stupid theories.
#109
Thomas O'Keefe 8 years ago
"It's back. And it really IS made for walkin." - Stella Sinatra (The Golden Years).
#110
Anna-Karina Bogren 8 years ago
20 years ago it was more common with abibas and 4 stripes 😃
Load More Replies... FAKENAME FAKENAME 8 years ago
I'd imagine this guy would just walk up to someone and start swearing at them in Russian
#111
Polianne Gonzalez 8 years ago
It looks like the Italian movie Ladrón de bicicleta by Rosellini beautiful
stanley estus 3 years ago
Looks like scene from my childhood growing up in a fishing village in Alaska "50's & 60's".
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stanley estus 3 years ago
ALL to common is the poverty & suffering of GODS most Vulnerable here or Russ..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~the look in the eye is the same anywhere on the planet.
#120
Walkus-Andrew Andrea 8 years ago
At least I hope he is doing flips and not being flipped out!
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Πέτρος Μπουρνιάς 8 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 4 years ago
What the hell is this? Shouldn't there be a changing room at the very least?
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Rebecca Ri 5 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!"
stanley estus 3 years ago
As i grab yer sweet cheeks....It would be funnier-n-hell if the gay folks didnt have it so hard over there....Wonder if PIMP-putin would "come out" as a repressed child molester & bisexual if it wouldnt "ease" the Sexual tensions in Russia???
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#133
Jace 8 years ago
This looks like one of those "ew, mom and dad!" moments where mom and dad then completely overdo the affection to annoy the kid more.
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Mikhail Zharkov 8 years ago
The guy is a kind of late Soviet music idol - Victor Tsoy. He is very popular figure even now... for some folks)))
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Virginia Gould 8 years ago
That looks like Viktor Tsoi from the epic rock band "Kino" on his t-shirt!
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Doris Culverhouse 8 years ago
That sounds better than what I was thinking...it is his dead mothers nose stretched on his.
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Doris Culverhouse 8 years ago
They have some beautiful clothes and shoes but then there is the homeless paupers.
Jack Candy 8 years ago
Where's the problem? Wedding photos on a public beach, where everyone can got to. Including children.
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Kira Leseman 8 years ago
So many pictures with the ground just covered in trash and everyone just ignoring it. That's crazy to me.
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Jace 8 years ago
This photographer seems to follow weddings as a way to find interesting photos. Or maybe is a wedding photographer? I forgot to check the link to the photographer because Bored Panda collapses articles into sound bites.
Inga Kivlane 8 years ago
Probably just "wedding season" they really do walk in packs to/from registration :))
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Janet Martin 8 years ago
Ha ha ha ha! Good one! I walk the line... unless one of you pretty girls is interested.
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Мышь из Нижний! 5 years ago
*Rubles. Rupees are from India as a currency.
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Lyone Fein 8 years ago
All over Europe, in every big city, the streets are filled with Muslims praying like this five times a day.
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stanley estus 3 years ago
Russian Granma in poverty, ......................FSB going ta wotk thinking about the Ballerina he'll have sex with tonight at the oligarchs party?
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Thomas O'Keefe 8 years ago
I'm not sure of the custom but it's the brides parents so, what can you do.
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stanley estus 3 years ago
How many of these brave young lads are dead because of PIMP-putins ILLEGAL war upon the Ukranians.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~10,000 plus dead & more than 30,000 wounded in one month. How many Millions of Ukraine's most Vulnerable have had to Flee home because of putin~ thet LIL BOY F$CKING FILTH!!!
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Walkus-Andrew Andrea 8 years ago
final few days of pregnancy is always the hardest on a person
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What do you think ?
Damian Dookhoo 8 years ago
Really great eye! Some of the best photos I've seen all year, that's some quality.
DancingToMyself 8 years ago
I think we all do. Maybe the strength is in that, too.
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Len Cicio 8 years ago
Yes! you don't see that walking the streets in Manhattan on rush hour.
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Damian Dookhoo 8 years ago
Really great eye! Some of the best photos I've seen all year, that's some quality.
DancingToMyself 8 years ago
I think we all do. Maybe the strength is in that, too.
Load More Replies... Len Cicio 8 years ago
Yes! you don't see that walking the streets in Manhattan on rush hour.
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