Alexey Titarenko, City of Shadows, (1992-1994)
Inspiration lies everywhere. In fact, it can even be found in the darkest of times. For Alexey Titarenko, that time came when the Soviet Union collapsed. “In the winter of 1991-1992, one cold and gloomy day, I strolled sadly down a street which used to be packed with people, which used to be full of joyful vibrancy and dynamism,” shares Titarenko. “I saw people on the verge of insanity, in confusion: They looked like shadows, undernourished and worn out.”
While waiting outside a subway station, Titarenko noticed how a crowd of people evolved in front of his very eyes. With the belief that he could make time stand still by changing the camera’s shutter speed, he created this interesting set of photos. He called the series City of Shadows.