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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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#9

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Dinah J
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I sure hope the photographer did not leave the animal inside that car to starve...the melting snow around that window looks like it's been there a few days at least.

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Meowoui
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should we, they won't know it was us, I'm telling you there are hundreds of us, what they going to do a DNA test on all the poop they find?

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TheReader19
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nobody is holding their crotch and only one guy has his legs crossed. What picture are you looking at?

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Meowoui
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just like here, cover over the man holes, come back later to dig them up again.

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jevais
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very hard conditions are what most people have to put up with in so many countries throughout the world

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jevais
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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Cayman
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dramatic :) Love the shadows and the light on the wall and floor

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Janet Martin
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is the face halfway in the ground? Bizarre and beautiful.

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Bruce Kunde
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The very rich and very poor and no middle........just as America is becoming

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Πέτρος Μπουρνιάς
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

""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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Jace
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This photo is rotated wrongly. It should be in portrait orientation.

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Πέτρος Μπουρνιάς
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

""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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PetruF
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is such a good photo, I would've asked Lenovo to pay me for it, if I were the photographer

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Rebecca Ri
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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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Jace
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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