2. Photography

Project RuSu 365

Not always so successful or interesting, & not always daily, though certainly a reflection of our daily lives - more like pick of the day. Our goal - to share our world and improve our skills. Thanks to all the members of the SmugMug Daily Community for your support and input. Feel free to leave feedback by clicking on 'Add Comment' below. We look forward to hearing your thoughts. The photo of the day will always be in first position. Thank you for looking. - Rustem Safronov & Susan Gilman a.k.a. RuSu. This gallery was started on October 26, 2010.

Henri Cartier-Bresson said, "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.", so bear with us...
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My hero, my dude ~ Rustem ~ Victory Day 2002. (5.8.2012)<br /> <br /> I rarely post family shots, but thought I'd share this shot of Rustem from a previous Victory Day celebration. It is one of the most important holidays in this country which lost more than 20 million people as a direct result of the war with a total of about 75 million having lost their lives from 1939 to 1945. It is a day when people show their respect & gratitude to the dwindling number of living veterans by giving them flowers & saying 'thank you'.<br /> <br /> The medal Rustem's wearing? It's from another war; the battle for the Russian White House [presidency] during the Yeltsin years. Rustem was shot in the back through his lung by a sniper & probably would have lost his life if it hadn't been for the good people of Denmark, but that's another story...<br /> <br /> The sign boards in the background are the names of what are now known as hero cities: Stalingrad, Leningrad, Kiev, etc. The building in the background? Lovers of spy novels will recognize the name - Lubyanka, headquarters of the former KGB.<br /> <br /> Thanks to everyone who rallied round me yesterday in response to my 'guest' commentator - much appreciated. To my recent guest political commentator, please sign in when you wish to comment.<br /> <br /> Happy VE Day to my European friends!
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My hero, my dude ~ Rustem ~ Victory Day 2002. (5.8.2012)

I rarely post family shots, but thought I'd share this shot of Rustem from a previous Victory Day celebration. It is one of the most important holidays in this country which lost more than 20 million people as a direct result of the war with a total of about 75 million having lost their lives from 1939 to 1945. It is a day when people show their respect & gratitude to the dwindling number of living veterans by giving them flowers & saying 'thank you'.

The medal Rustem's wearing? It's from another war; the battle for the Russian White House [presidency] during the Yeltsin years. Rustem was shot in the back through his lung by a sniper & probably would have lost his life if it hadn't been for the good people of Denmark, but that's another story...

The sign boards in the background are the names of what are now known as hero cities: Stalingrad, Leningrad, Kiev, etc. The building in the background? Lovers of spy novels will recognize the name - Lubyanka, headquarters of the former KGB.

Thanks to everyone who rallied round me yesterday in response to my 'guest' commentator - much appreciated. To my recent guest political commentator, please sign in when you wish to comment.

Happy VE Day to my European friends!

  • "Be still my beating heart..." (5.21.2012)<br /> <br /> Something about this girl caught my eye as I was going through shots from Rustem's most recent business trip. Actually, I was almost cursing him for taking so many & he's due back from another trip tonight - I'll never catch up. But, this girl sitting in a classroom with her fingers in her mouth & those somewhat haunting, crystal-like eyes just drew me in. The PP is all mine & I'm somewhat mixed about it. Had a 2nd version I was just about to upload, but Indigo commented so quickly on this one, I decided to leave it. I'm running late & have got to get out. Will catch up later. <br /> <br /> Thanks for all your comments yesterday! Have a good Monday.
  • "In summer, the song sings itself." ~William Carlos Williams (5.20.2012)<br /> <br /> It's beginning to look a lot like summer. Have a sunny Sunday.
  • A peek through an archway to, what I believe, is a women's monastery. (5.19.2012)
  • Purple crystal ~ for Indigo & Carrie. (5.18.2012)<br /> <br /> Quartz crystal is thought [by some] to be a metaphysical aid assisting in healing, bringing balance, and increasing the flow of energy.<br /> <br /> Not particularly pleased with this & would probably scrap it if I had time, but am up against the clock. Sending positive energy to Indigo & Carrie. <br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments on yesterday's windows. Was I ever surprised when I woke up this A.M. to see it in the top spot. Have a good one!
  • Periwinkle windows & drainpipe. (5.17.2012)
  • Lenin bust on the side of the Lenin Museum.
  • Blue Serenity. (5.15.2012)<br /> <br /> Always a bittersweet day for me as it's Rustem's Birthday & the day my mother died, 6 years ago. This serene memorial is at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France overlooking Omaha Beach. I've reworked it to emphasize its basic planes. <br /> <br /> Thanks for all you comments yesterday. Totally unexpected as I wasn't quite pleased with the shot. Ya' never know... Have a good day.
  • Boy meets girl. (5.14.2012)
  • Wishing all Smug mothers & spouses of Smuggers, a Happy Mother's Day! (5.13.2012)<br /> <br /> Remember that bestseller, "Gorky Park"? That's where I shot these tulips.
  • Oktyabreskya Metro Station. (5.12.2012)<br /> <br /> The Moscow metro is known as one of the most beautiful in the world, though it's the older stations built during the Stalinist era that are most unique & detailed. In fact, after Red Square & the Kremlin, it's probably the most impressive thing to see in Moscow. This isn't one of the most distinctive stations, but it's where I happened to be.<br /> <br /> It's the word's 2nd busiest public transit system carrying more than 7 million passengers a day, far more than it was designed to carry. To be avoided at all costs during rush hour, if at all possible.<br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments yesterday. Lots of great challenge shots. Have a good weekend.
  • "Speak softly & carry a big stick..." (5.11.2012)<br /> <br /> Let me be cruel, not unnatural;<br /> I will speak daggers to her, but use none;<br /> My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites, —<br /> How in my words somever she be shent,<br /> To give them seals never, my soul, consent!<br /> Shakespeare ~ Hamlet's Fifth Soliloquy
  • Old sailor who served in the Pacific. (5.10.2012)<br /> <br /> It's traditional to give flowers to veterans on May 9th &, as you can see, they get lots of them. I sometimes wonder how they carry them home. Many do come to the festivities with their children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren to help with the flowers or assist those who are infirm.<br /> <br /> The small accordion he's holding was with him throughout the war. It's been repaired numerous times, but still plays.<br /> <br /> Seems yesterday was another red letter day in the Dailies. See my starter comment below. Have a good one!
  • Listening to war time stories. (5.9.2012)<br /> <br /> This woman actually helped take the Reichstag - she had the photos to prove it. In a country where almost every family lost someone during the war, young & old turn out on this day to pay their respects & listen to Veterans' stories. It's 67 years ago & seems like ancient history to [American] youth, but here it's still fresh in the minds of all.<br /> <br /> We're heading out to the celebration though it's a cold, raw & gloomy day. Thanks for all your comments yesterday. The story of October '93 is a long one. Perhaps I'll put it to paper one day. <br /> <br /> I do have a short video compilation of some the the events of the day on our site [including Rustem seconds after being shot], though much of it is raw footage & Russian TV reports, which can be found here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.rusuphotography.com/Us/October-1993-Moscow/9239545_3m3bsg#!i=633391280&k=5WnEy">http://www.rusuphotography.com/Us/October-1993-Moscow/9239545_3m3bsg#!i=633391280&k=5WnEy</a><br /> <br /> I also found an interview with him from 2007 in English:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://rt.com/news/interview-with-rustem-safronov/">http://rt.com/news/interview-with-rustem-safronov/</a><br /> <br /> Will catch up with everyone this evening. Have a good day!
  • My hero, my dude ~ Rustem ~ Victory Day 2002. (5.8.2012)<br /> <br /> I rarely post family shots, but thought I'd share this shot of Rustem from a previous Victory Day celebration. It is one of the most important holidays in this country which lost more than 20 million people as a direct result of the war with a total of about 75 million having lost their lives from 1939 to 1945. It is a day when people show their respect & gratitude to the dwindling number of living veterans by giving them flowers & saying 'thank you'.<br /> <br /> The medal Rustem's wearing? It's from another war; the battle for the Russian White House [presidency] during the Yeltsin years. Rustem was shot in the back through his lung by a sniper & probably would have lost his life if it hadn't been for the good people of Denmark, but that's another story...<br /> <br /> The sign boards in the background are the names of what are now known as hero cities: Stalingrad, Leningrad, Kiev, etc. The building in the background? Lovers of spy novels will recognize the name - Lubyanka, headquarters of the former KGB.<br /> <br /> Thanks to everyone who rallied round me yesterday in response to my 'guest' commentator - much appreciated. To my recent guest political commentator, please sign in when you wish to comment.<br /> <br /> Happy VE Day to my European friends!
  • Future soldier honoring Victory Day. (5.7.2012)<br /> <br /> For much of the world, tomorrow marks Victory Day, the end of WWII. Because of the time difference, Russia celebrates on May 9th. This is a reworked image of a young boy attending a previous year's celebration. The medal is one of the highest honors awarded for valor during WWII. The ribbon of St. George was established in 1769, but is presently associated with victory in WWII. Most people will tie this ribbon to their cars over the next few days. <br /> <br /> Remember, most of us in the Community were Allies; so please, if you don't like this image, just pass on by. Let's try to maintain a civil community...
  • KoKo Poulet - the $12 chicken in a box. (5.6.2012)<br /> <br /> This is what happens when you send hubby to the supermarket. You get an expensive chicken in a box with a rope handle that's supposedly some French breed of chicken raised in Russia. The box was really 1st rate - a nice, heavy cardboard rarely seen here - the chicken was good, too.<br /> <br /> Not the best shot & undeserving of any treatment, but it's getting more & more difficult to put your best shot forward, isn't it?
  • Old Believer Russian Orthodox priest. (5.5.2012)<br /> <br /> In 1666 there was a schism in the Russian Orthodox church. Small, somewhat isolated communities of Old Believers remain in Russia today, though many fled for the U.S. & Canada during Tsarist times with the help of Tolstoy. According to [old] Orthodox tradition it is a sin to cut one's beard.
  • Invoking the gods. (5.4.2012)<br /> <br /> Actually, she was just speaking passionately, but that's the feeling I get. <br /> <br /> Thanks for your comments yesterday. Tomorrow's a work day here, but then we have four days off - hurray!
  • Contemporary office building detail. (5.3.2012)<br /> <br /> Thanks for all your comments yesterday on the young Communist girl. Seems to have offended a few of you. It was NOT a political statement, but a capture of a major event in the city we live in where millions of people still support the Communist Party & believe in the ideals of communism. As an American raised on the principles of free speech, I certainly defend her right to express her ideas.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, the snake's still slithering around - Melissa actually had the #1 shot of the day. There's always someone looking to beat the system - no matter what that system is :)
  • Young Communist with Chanel bag. (5.2.2012)<br /> <br /> Rustem went to yesterday's May Day demonstrations. I stayed in as I had work to do & next week we'll have the Victory Day celebrations/demonstrations. Each group had their assigned protest places in the city center. Rustem visited the Communists, Young Socialists & Left Radicals demonstrations. I chose this shot.<br /> <br /> Thanks for all your comments yesterday. Much appreciated.<br /> <br /> For those of you who still have thumbs showing in your Daily gallery, follow the directions here:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=1772262#post1772262">http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=1772262#post1772262</a>

  • irishmurr

    on May 9, 2012

    Great to see your handsome fellow -- wonderful information to accompany the shot!

  • photofreak

    on May 9, 2012

    It's very nice to see Rustem's portrait... He looks very handsome. Your story is, as always, so very interesting. Thanks for sharing and I'd love to know more.

  • Gene Hyder

    on May 9, 2012

    Superb shot. I also had a guest comment. It was so mean I had to delete, the fact is the comment bordered on filth!

  • Happy Tree

    on May 9, 2012

    Lovely touching shot!

  • nelli

    on May 9, 2012

    VERY beautiful!!!!!!!!!GORGEOUS! handsome portrait!

  • Scianghetti

    on May 9, 2012

    Wonderful capture Susan...thank you for sharing it!
    Love history, but even more so when there is a personal attachment to it...like many others here, would love to hear the rest of the story!

  • Donna McCommon

    on May 9, 2012

    This is really a wonderful portrait and an amazing story to go with it. I too would like to hear more details.

  • geoghanart

    on May 9, 2012

    Nice shot but especially since it has so much meaning to you both. Would like to hear more of the story as well.

  • Lgood

    on May 9, 2012

    What a wonderful shot of your sweetheart Rustem. I'd love to hear more about his story and the people of Denmark saving him. Thank God they did. And, thank you for your brave and "spot on" comments on the Dgrin Forum. I really appreciate you!

  • Chuck Beehner

    on May 9, 2012

    liking this...well done!
    pb

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