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I Spent 8 Months With Drug Addicts, And Here Are 26 Saddening Photographs I Took
I'm David Tesinsky from Prague and I'm an independent photographer of the subcultures, urban cultures, street stories and people's stories in general AKA reportage/social documentary photography.
I've captured stories of the drug addicts in Prague during 8 months spent in the streets and squatter houses. I've experienced a lot of sad and also happy moments with them. I became invisible after a while and my camera as well so these are the moments that would not be very easy to capture naturally otherwise.
“My friend gave me death for Christmas. He infected me with the hepatitis C and committed suicide on Christmas day because of that", - one of them said to me.
Most of the people in photographs are addicted to heroin and its substitutes, mainly Czech methamphetamine called Pervitin. These are the moments from their lives.
More info: Facebook | Instagram | tesinskyphoto.com
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I've been looking for a savior in these dirty streets Looking for a savior beneath these dirty sheets I've been raising up my hands, drive another nail in Just what God needs, one more victim. (From "Crucify" by Tori Amos)
Yesterday I saw someone censor the "F" in WTF (as in "WT*") & recently saw D**k Clark's first name written as "D**k" in a headline. This type of useless censorship — whether self-, moderated, or algorithmic — is really taking thinks WAY too far!
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Oh god,,censored a joint 🙄 Hey BP I bet you all smoke weed everyday,,why else would you do this job
Not a cigarette, alas... https://tesinskyphoto.com/all-along-the-watchtower/
when i take a hit i can feel happiness and joy. it doesn't last but its real for a few moments. a few blessed moments of joy and happiness.
All of these photo's are so evocative. Although terriblly sad, they ate extremely beautiful. I love the contrast the gritty rawness and the humanity
Every single one of these photos is EXTRAORDINARY! Thank you for giving a voice to addicts! I was on heroin for several years (though not on the streets) & truly appreciate you taking the time to observe & document the humanity of addicts. Also, just a quick reminder that it can happen to ANYONE. I'm a professional with a Master's degree, but that didn't stop me from becoming addicted to heroin!
Amen to that. Make it heard amongst the judgemental extremists of soberism....... While they're right about drugs beng bad, M'KAY, their attitude and entitlement are sickening ... second-week-of-withdrawl-level sickening. Humans, addicted or not, are humans before any else. There is nothing indicating that drug addicts are, in whatever way, worth less than sober people are ... they may have habits that may ultimately kill them, but, ffs, you don't get into that by nothing. You may use and enjoy drugs without any reason, but that, usually, won't lead to an addiction as the psychological factor is of a totally different kind. A mere physiological addiction, well, just reduce the dose day to day and eventually, you won't need any anymore ... done. A full grown, full blown psychological addiction will not be so easy to remove. Also, being severely addicted is a full-time job, and consumes whatever is earned by a full-time job.
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Proof that drug addicts can look like models if the lighting is right. Putting up pictures with no tags that explain the pictures is kind of losing the point of taking the photos in the first place. I'm also wondering how much the photographer paid them to allow him to take pictures. Did he perpetuate the drug addiction by supplying them with money for drugs.
Worthwhile points. A lot of people exploit the homeless for their own ends.
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Here come the down votes....I have very little sympathy with drug addicts having been in a relationship with one for a couple of years.The consequence of that is he never got to know his daughter as he lost his life. It is not only their own lives they destroy but the lives of their loved ones as well. It is disgusting, selfish and vile
So you're downvoting this post, because you experienced something bad? This post is well made, has some nice photos and it seems, like these people had real fun doing this shoot. I'm sorry for your loss, but don't prejudice them, as you don't know them.
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The point of art is to explore what it means to YOU not what it meant to the artist nor the subject. What did it make YOU feel?
This is actually very "beautiful" in a dark way. I can't explain it. It's like a "Beauty in tragedy" caught in photos. Crazy good.
Until you've been in that life or with a loved one that was by your choice or not there are no words to describe the experience. You either become stronger through it or you loose everything.
I know a lot of people who work in the court system with abusers and see how the families are shattered by addiction. They are the least sympathetic bunch I've ever met. OTOH, they work like yeoman trying to fix a system that is broke financially and broken in many other ways. More courage than me, that's for sure.
From my 49 year old professional counselor in America perspective, these photos without context are not very illuminating. But I appreciate the effort.
Absolutely incredible eye .I'm so into your art thanks for your time and wow I'm really glad I got to feel so much through your art I do simliar street stuff I feel you my GOD absolutely talented thanks my friend
I love these pictures. They're very symbolic. And beautiful. But I'm not saying that because I feel I have to. I'm saying it because the ugliness of the pictures make them beautiful.
It is not really their choice. Stopping drugs is very difficult and requires a lot of support. Not everyone can do it.
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I didn't either until I saw someone I love almost get killed by it. Sure it was his choice but he's going to struggle for the rest of his life, you won't understand and that's okay.
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Calm your a*s down, you trolls are more repetitive than anything this website puts up.
Load More Replies... Every single one of these photos is EXTRAORDINARY! Thank you for giving a voice to addicts! I was on heroin for several years (though not on the streets) & truly appreciate you taking the time to observe & document the humanity of addicts. Also, just a quick reminder that it can happen to ANYONE. I'm a professional with a Master's degree, but that didn't stop me from becoming addicted to heroin!
Amen to that. Make it heard amongst the judgemental extremists of soberism....... While they're right about drugs beng bad, M'KAY, their attitude and entitlement are sickening ... second-week-of-withdrawl-level sickening. Humans, addicted or not, are humans before any else. There is nothing indicating that drug addicts are, in whatever way, worth less than sober people are ... they may have habits that may ultimately kill them, but, ffs, you don't get into that by nothing. You may use and enjoy drugs without any reason, but that, usually, won't lead to an addiction as the psychological factor is of a totally different kind. A mere physiological addiction, well, just reduce the dose day to day and eventually, you won't need any anymore ... done. A full grown, full blown psychological addiction will not be so easy to remove. Also, being severely addicted is a full-time job, and consumes whatever is earned by a full-time job.
Load More Replies... Proof that drug addicts can look like models if the lighting is right. Putting up pictures with no tags that explain the pictures is kind of losing the point of taking the photos in the first place. I'm also wondering how much the photographer paid them to allow him to take pictures. Did he perpetuate the drug addiction by supplying them with money for drugs.
Worthwhile points. A lot of people exploit the homeless for their own ends.
Load More Replies... Here come the down votes....I have very little sympathy with drug addicts having been in a relationship with one for a couple of years.The consequence of that is he never got to know his daughter as he lost his life. It is not only their own lives they destroy but the lives of their loved ones as well. It is disgusting, selfish and vile
So you're downvoting this post, because you experienced something bad? This post is well made, has some nice photos and it seems, like these people had real fun doing this shoot. I'm sorry for your loss, but don't prejudice them, as you don't know them.
Load More Replies... The point of art is to explore what it means to YOU not what it meant to the artist nor the subject. What did it make YOU feel?
This is actually very "beautiful" in a dark way. I can't explain it. It's like a "Beauty in tragedy" caught in photos. Crazy good.
Until you've been in that life or with a loved one that was by your choice or not there are no words to describe the experience. You either become stronger through it or you loose everything.
I know a lot of people who work in the court system with abusers and see how the families are shattered by addiction. They are the least sympathetic bunch I've ever met. OTOH, they work like yeoman trying to fix a system that is broke financially and broken in many other ways. More courage than me, that's for sure.
From my 49 year old professional counselor in America perspective, these photos without context are not very illuminating. But I appreciate the effort.
Absolutely incredible eye .I'm so into your art thanks for your time and wow I'm really glad I got to feel so much through your art I do simliar street stuff I feel you my GOD absolutely talented thanks my friend
I love these pictures. They're very symbolic. And beautiful. But I'm not saying that because I feel I have to. I'm saying it because the ugliness of the pictures make them beautiful.
It is not really their choice. Stopping drugs is very difficult and requires a lot of support. Not everyone can do it.
Load More Replies... I didn't either until I saw someone I love almost get killed by it. Sure it was his choice but he's going to struggle for the rest of his life, you won't understand and that's okay.
Load More Replies... Calm your a*s down, you trolls are more repetitive than anything this website puts up.
Load More Replies...