A station called 21 kilometers Photo

Photographer’s Note

To show Russia only from the colourful and spectacular side would be one-sided. Russia is also grey and drab and in many places has a long way to go to reach the level of welfare of other industrialised countries. This view from a train is quite typical of the half-suburban, half-rural countryside around St. Petersburg.
What is interesting here is the name of the station: 21 kilometers, which is the distance to St. Petersburg. And which marks where the German troops got to in 1941. And where they stayed three years during the 900 day siege of Leningrad from 1941 to 1944. The front-line of the occupation and the siege is marked all around St. Petersburg by old canons, and this particular halt was named in remembrance of the siege.
The shot was taken through a very dirty train window and I tried a few tricks in PS to enhance the quality, but the day was also grey, so overall it gives a true impression of both time and place.

RGatward, JudyH, Jeppe, nwoehnl, sengir, Olga, mbravo, riaan, mortijo has marked this note useful

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Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-06-06 9:40

shes got a long way to walk, great capture and great work, well done

RGatward (19749) 2004-06-06 9:53

Well, I've come to think that this sort of thing is partly what TE is all about. Very interesting note, which makes it a very worthwhile posting, in spite of the image problems, which you've already mentioned.

JudyH (700) 2004-06-06 10:43

Your note is particularly useful with this note Per! I've never quite seen this side of Russia - it's very grey and drab as you say. At least the people seem to wear bright clothes. It seems as if Russia (or St Petersburg at least), seems to have inherited so much from it's past. It's sad. Maybe oneday this will look a whole lot better. I wouldn't want to live there - it's depressive. Well done on the shot.

Jeppe (18623) 2004-06-06 16:30

Thanks Per for giving us all sides of life in Russia - I got a feeling that this kind of shots easy to find - but never mind - you did a fine job and PP too - Also thanks for the note - reminding us about the history which also worth reminding on this day 60 years after D-day.

nwoehnl (120) 2004-06-06 16:58

A very good documentary shot, Per. The scenery does look drab, but there are also hopeful bright elements such as the greenery, the blue parts of the sky, and last but not least the bright red jacket of the woman (who is essential to make this shot work IMHO). Well done.

Olga (901) 2004-06-07 5:00 [Comment]

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Burnham (2426) 2004-06-08 3:42

At first the name made no sense, but your note helped a lot. This is actually what I imagine Russia looks like, a bit ignorant i guess, but I've never been to Russia. Great compo, lucky that you pressed the shutter just in time to get the girl completely in the frame.

points tomorrow :o)

Rockyboy (20582) 2004-06-10 17:46

Very interesting your trip in Russia that I just discovered today! This strange town name is very well explain in your note and picture reflect very well the ambiance from there. Well done, Per!

mortijo (12410) 2004-06-22 3:14

Very good reportage shot, Per, and very well documented.

perfil (671) 2005-01-31 16:04 [Comment]