Explorations with Leica

[olehzavadsky]

Embodied Sadness by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: Sadness isn’t any bad. It has its own charm and beauty. Life used to boil in this tiny little house by the road and it stopped one day. People probably just moved out and didn’t want to demolish the building… I know nothing about its story, but it’s so interesting to know how it felt to sleep there the last night or cook the last dinner. Did they know it was the last one? Or maybe it was the happiest evening and nigh of their live because they were anticipating a move into a new better house or much wealthier place. But what place on earth can be any better than a home? Well, many places can be better but they cannot substitute your home even if you grew up in a poor hut in the middle of nowhere and if your childhood was in a happy family. This sad and lonely house by the country road has been capturing my view since quite a long time ago so now I feel satisfied after fifteen minutes stop by and a quick photo session.

[olehzavadsky]

Embodied Sadness by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: Sadness isn’t any bad. It has its own charm and beauty. Life used to boil in this tiny little house by the road and it stopped one day. People probably just moved out and didn’t want to demolish the building… I know nothing about its story, but it’s so interesting to know how it felt to sleep there the last night or cook the last dinner. Did they know it was the last one? Or maybe it was the happiest evening and nigh of their live because they were anticipating a move into a new better house or much wealthier place. But what place on earth can be any better than a home? Well, many places can be better but they cannot substitute your home even if you grew up in a poor hut in the middle of nowhere and if your childhood was in a happy family. This sad and lonely house by the country road has been capturing my view since quite a long time ago so now I feel satisfied after fifteen minutes stop by and a quick photo session.

[olehzavadsky]

... in Italy by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: Oh, Yes, they do! They know how to live in Italy. They know how to live correctly. How not to waste precious hours on a grey gloomy office but rather have an extended lunch on the outside. How to have a bottle of good wine along with risotto and lake fish in stead of just having a sandwich on the run while checking some boring excel-tabled reports. They know. Or does it just seam so that they have fun while living? Maybe we is good for us but nevertheless do what the situation requires? Italian friends, you have to honestly tell us how it is!

[olehzavadsky]

Vienna As It Is by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: There are so many fabulous pictures of Vienna, its been photographed so many times by famous artists that I cannot even dare to think I can add something fresh and noteworthy. That is why I am posting today a very regular and simple picture of this outstanding city. Let us call it a reality pic of Vienna.

[olehzavadsky]

Behind Facades by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: Kolomya is a lovely old town in southern Galicia, western part of Ukraine, formerly province of Austrian Monarchy. It is stuffed with architectural gems not all of which are in a good condition. But nevertyeless those who have eye can see and really admire the beauty and elegance on almost every corner. It is also full of contrasts. You may pass by fashionable coffee place or modern boutique and by turning few meters in any direction bump into totally abandoned backyard looking like nobody ever took any care of it for ages. The archiecture, at least interesting part of it, rages mostly between end of 18th till beginning of 20th century. Decent amount of Art Deco buildings is also quite impressive, though even untill now most people don't understand their beauty and don't honor them as much as they deserve.

[olehzavadsky]

The Extreme of Art Deco by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: Kolomya is a lovely old town in southern Galicia, western part of Ukraine, formerly province of Austrian Monarchy. It is stuffed with architectural gems not all of which are in a good condition. But nevertyeless those who have eye can see and really admire the beauty and elegance on almost every corner. It is also full of contrasts. You may pass by fashionable coffee place or modern boutique and by turning few meters in any direction bump into totally abandoned backyard looking like nobody ever took any care of it for ages. The archiecture, at least interesting part of it, rages mostly between end of 18th till beginning of 20th century. Decent amount of Art Deco buildings is also quite impressive, though even untill now most people don't understand their beauty and don't honor them as much as they deserve.

[olehzavadsky]

(Don’t) Let It Snow… by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: Oh the winter this year was frightful And our streets were not delightful And since we've no place to go Stop that Snow! Stop that Snow! Stop that Snow!

[olehzavadsky]

Regular Day in Frankfurt by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: I like these regular street shots. But I'm not out in the streets so often to gather enough in my photostream. Nevertheless, Frankfurt is one of those great for street photography cities . Variety of people and active life. Modern and antique architecture, all kinds of urban transportation, even skyscrapers. I like to come there every second year for a fair and decent street walks after the tiring days indoors.

[olehzavadsky]

Creamy Way by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: Sankt Wolfgang. The Milky Way the sky is so fat that I'd rather call it Creamy. Or maybe the farmer from the opposite side of the lake got crazy and splashed his daily sheep milk not the sky? Smell of Autumn herbs descended from the hill right onto the plane surface of the lake. Mixed with the aroma of the water they fill lungs so sweetly that you may not want to breath the air back. Tranquility and peace make you dizzy. Wonderful place! God gave it to us as a tiny hole through which we can peak to what what the heaven may be like. ~ Санкт Вольфґанґ. На небі молочний шлях такий, що я б його назвав вершковим. Або фермер з іншої сторони озерам звар'ював і виплюснув денний надій овечого молока на небо. Запах осінніх трав опустився з гори прямо на поверхню озера. Він у перемішку із ароматом води наповнює груди так солодко, що хочеться вдихнути і не видихати. Лад і спокій аж п'янять. Чудове місце! Бог його нам дав для того, щоб ми могли підглянути у безкінечно маленьку, але все ж дірочку, на рай...

[olehzavadsky]

Riesenrad by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: I saw this in the movie when I was a little boy. Wiener Riesenrad in Prater. I also heard many stories about Vienna from my grandma and grand grandma, who still felt connected to the nineteenth century, as we feel connected to the twentieth. Those times, until the World War Two, Galicia, the land I live in, was a part of Austrian monarchy. And this vintage wheel was another part of that vintage world. This creature of the engineering is a symbol of blossoming era of capitalism that came to a very tragic end. That capitalism no longer exists. But it gave a start to the whole technical progress we admire these days. Even the retina display iMac that I am typing this text on, the loveliest computer I've ever used, wouldn't exist without the capitalism that so many people now actively reject. Or even if it existed I could hardly afford even seeing it, not using.

[olehzavadsky]

Old Town's Modern Side by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: I can assume that only a few people can guess where this photo was taken. Because architects can rarely create something distinctive, something eye-catching and breath-taking. Not only because of lack of talent, but also due to economic and other reasons. So these glass blocks are similar all over the word with a few exceptions. This is not a part of the modern trend as the antique houses were no different. Only a part of the heritage created throughout centuries is really recognisable. So... This is Vienna! Every city tries to have something really tall and shiny. And this is one of Vienna's toys on a skyline-shelf. And a nice reminder to me on this unusually cold, 5th October day of 2016, of how good the times were on vacation...

[olehzavadsky]

Auschwitz by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: It is simply hard to believe it was really happening. Not so long ago. The politicians - Yes, they did it! They were telling people with currage that the things they did would lead them to a better life. Do they ever say something different? I would really like to believe they do different...

[olehzavadsky]

Creamy Way by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: Sankt Wolfgang. The Milky Way the sky is so fat that I'd rather call it Creamy. Or maybe the farmer from the opposite side of the lake got crazy and splashed his daily sheep milk not the sky? Smell of Autumn herbs descended from the hill right onto the plane surface of the lake. Mixed with the aroma of the water they fill lungs so sweetly that you may not want to breath the air back. Tranquility and peace make you dizzy. Wonderful place! God gave it to us as a tiny hole through which we can peak to what what the heaven may be like. ~ Санкт Вольфґанґ. На небі молочний шлях такий, що я б його назвав вершковим. Або фермер з іншої сторони озерам звар'ював і виплюснув денний надій овечого молока на небо. Запах осінніх трав опустився з гори прямо на поверхню озера. Він у перемішку із ароматом води наповнює груди так солодко, що хочеться вдихнути і не видихати. Лад і спокій аж п'янять. Чудове місце! Бог його нам дав для того, щоб ми могли підглянути у безкінечно маленьку, але все ж дірочку, на рай...

[olehzavadsky]

Waiting for The Shuttle by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: This has been probably the warmest November day I can remember. Me and my wife took our regular morning walk up the hill to the small church in the top point of Sankt Wolfgang. This little church is like a guardian angel over this small and blessed town on the shore of the most beautiful lake in Austria. This morning we needed to do some packing before our (not so much wanted) departure home so our walk was delayed. I didn't even put my autumn coat on, but even a long sleeve shirt was too warm for the walk. It is unbelievable how nice the day was! Few minutes of meditation on the panorama bench near the church was interrupted by a senior couple, who probably also hoped to spend some time alone there on the hill. Then a cycler came, then another group of tourists… This time we were too late. But nevertheless to is an amazing place to think and pray, or just talk in peace. Rest of the day was total relaxation by the lake. So that even a short swim didn't seam as cold as before. The sun seamed not to want to set and stayed over the mountains on the opposite shore of the lake as long as possible. But nevertheless night took overshot toy after five o'clock. We were slowly walking back home on Sankt Wolfgang's main street and suddenly noted many cars and people passing by. All dressed up and going in one direction: to the church. I asked one gentleman wearing local style jacket what was up and he told me it was a funeral of a big local landlord. Yes, this was real life that the local people were living. Whether they wanted or not. People are born, they live and die even in places like this, truly reminding us of the paradise we long for…

[olehzavadsky]

Industrial Sunset by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: The hotel and restaurant by the road where we had a party of our friend is supposingly good and well reputed. Interesting is that most people can only observe its front facing a busy and important road. Only a few people see it from behind, as I often do from my office. While at the party I noted a small window with the west view and I couldn't keep myself from looking in it. I was right to do so: a fabulous sunset reinfoced by unusually hot air on that day made a truly apocaliptical picture.

[olehzavadsky]

The Warmest November Day Ever by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: This has been probably the warmest November day I can remember. Me and my wife took our regular morning walk up the hill to the small church in the top point of Sankt Wolfgang. This little church is like a guardian angel over this small and blessed town on the shore of the most beautiful lake in Austria. This morning we needed to do some packing before our (not so much wanted) departure home so our walk was delayed. I didn't even put my autumn coat on, but even a long sleeve shirt was too warm for the walk. It is unbelievable how nice the day was! Few minutes of meditation on the panorama bench near the church was interrupted by a senior couple, who probably also hoped to spend some time alone there on the hill. Then a cycler came, then another group of tourists… This time we were too late. But nevertheless to is an amazing place to think and pray, or just talk in peace. Rest of the day was total relaxation by the lake. So that even a short swim didn't seam as cold as before. The sun seamed not to want to set and stayed over the mountains on the opposite shore of the lake as long as possible. But nevertheless night took overshot toy after five o'clock. We were slowly walking back home on Sankt Wolfgang's main street and suddenly noted many cars and people passing by. All dressed up and going in one direction: to the church. I asked one gentleman wearing local style jacket what was up and he told me it was a funeral of a big local landlord. Yes, this was real life that the local people were living. Whether they wanted or not. People are born, they live and die even in places like this, truly reminding us of the paradise we long for…

[olehzavadsky]

The Warmest November Day Ever by Oleh Zavadsky Via Flickr: This has been probably the warmest November day I can remember. Me and my wife took our regular morning walk up the hill to the small church in the top point of Sankt Wolfgang. This little church is like a guardian angel over this small and blessed town on the shore of the most beautiful lake in Austria. This morning we needed to do some packing before our (not so much wanted) departure home so our walk was delayed. I didn't even put my autumn coat on, but even a long sleeve shirt was too warm for the walk. It is unbelievable how nice the day was! Few minutes of meditation on the panorama bench near the church was interrupted by a senior couple, who probably also hoped to spend some time alone there on the hill. Then a cycler came, then another group of tourists… This time we were too late. But nevertheless to is an amazing place to think and pray, or just talk in peace. Rest of the day was total relaxation by the lake. So that even a short swim didn't seam as cold as before. The sun seamed not to want to set and stayed over the mountains on the opposite shore of the lake as long as possible. But nevertheless night took overshot toy after five o'clock. We were slowly walking back home on Sankt Wolfgang's main street and suddenly noted many cars and people passing by. All dressed up and going in one direction: to the church. I asked one gentleman wearing local style jacket what was up and he told me it was a funeral of a big local landlord. Yes, this was real life that the local people were living. Whether they wanted or not. People are born, they live and die even in places like this, truly reminding us of the paradise we long for…