People of Lviv

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

You would think photographing 'your' people would be easy since you speak their language and they would be comfortable around you but not with Ukrainians. We got rejected so many times when we asked to take people's photos that we just gave up and decided to take photos of people without asking. But even then we got some people upset. We haven't encountered any foreign people so afraid of a camera and so unwilling to smile. 

Lviv had a nice variety of people-- there were elegantly dressed women, scruffy old man, tacky dressed teenagers, primped old ladies... and everyone was wearing fur. The men had fur on their heads and the women had full-length fur coats... for how cold it was I would have loved a Ukrainian fur hat.

-Yuriy


15 comments :

  1. I have never seen so much fur in my adult life. It makes sense for that part of the country. I've had the same experience with Russian and Ukrainians here in Los Angeles at the Russian market on Fairfax and Santa Monica Blvd.

    Although we speak a common language they always seem bothered, never want to smile and for photographs, well you might as well leave a never return. I could never understand why Eastern Europeans have such a disdain of being photographed.

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  2. For not very many people posing, I absolutely love this post. It shows people in their natural environment, talking, smiling and getting on with their lives. It's interesting. Good job!

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  3. this is a good post for when im feeling nostalgic... But overall were you surprised in a good way about Ukraine?

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  4. On my way back home to the States after spending 4 weeks in the Russian Far East, we stopped in Moscow for a few days. While there I bought one of those huge fur hats. I have to tell you, there's rarely a day in our bitter Wisconsin winter that I don't don that hat. I feel a little silly wearing a big ball of fur on my head but it's SO warm.

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  5. Love the pictures and the different styles of clothing!

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  6. amazing post, I love the way the ladies dress!
    anna

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  7. I feel like I'm on the street with you two! Love these photos...makes me wish I had been more brave & assertive in Europe on my last trip! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Irina- Are you kidding? We LOVED it. It was so much more sophisticated than our parents made it sound. We weren't planning on going to Ukraine on this trip, but it was one of the highlights.

    Kelly- That's hilarious. You are so brave! My parents each still have a fur hat from their days in Ukraine, but nobody in my family has been brave enough to wear them in the States. Maybe I should start a fashion trend in Seattle and pull it out next winter! But then again, there are probably too many animal lovers...

    Jenny- There's only one solution.. you have to go back.

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  9. Julia-its crazy how this is NOT what I pictured ukraine to be! so much more sophisticated and chic, hey the guy in your first picture...we had 3 of those same scarves growing up, my mom brought them back when she went to visit :) great shots by the way, I hope you guys are having a blast

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  10. Love this post! Love seeing photographs of people in their natural environment. Ukraine rocks. I have one of those long fur coats I would rock in Ukraine.

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  11. i have to admit, me and my husband felt the same way after visiting UA in 2009.People made it sound really bad, like be careful so no one would steal your wallets, dont show off your jewelry, dont show signs that u are not from around because you'll be taken advantage of etc.. But i tell ya, it was not as bad, some young people even gave us their seats in public transportation(i was pregnant and we had our 1.5 yr. old)... talk about being raised with good manners.
    we enjoyed our time there.

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  12. LOVE this post! LOVE IT!!!! Are you visiting Riga, Latvia in your travels?

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  13. I am amazed! That looks so much fun! Wish I was there!

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  14. Anna- We completely agree with you. We were surprised.

    Liliya- Do you rock it in the States?

    Irina- Yeah, we got all the same warnings. It wasn't so bad. Sure they could tell we were from America, but nobody bothered us. Well... except on the train on the way there. :) (see previous post) So glad to hear you had a good experience with the people in Ukraine.

    Studiocitro- No we're not visiting Latvia, though maybe in the future. We're actually in Asia now, still posting about our time in Ukraine (we're a little behind).

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  15. This is captured so stunningly! I absolutely love how our people WALK everywhere...thats a healthy way to live. Not only is it healthy but they get to enjoy nature in its purest form every day. I LOVE it!! Ive never wanted to go back but now u two may have just changed my mind :D :D Enjoy the short remainder of your beautiful trip together!!!

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