On a recent trip to Russia I had the opportunity to visit Moscow’s Red Square. Throughout the many centuries of Russian history, Red Square has served citizen and government alike, both as a public market place and as the site for official governmental ceremonies, coronations, and displays of military might.

Red Square is home to the Kremlin -- the historic fortified palace complex that has been the home to many of Russia’s early Czars -- that served during the Soviet era as the seat of government for the USSR, and currently, as the official residence of the president of Russia.

The name Red Square is not derived from the color of the bricks in the square nor from the color red which is often used in defining communism. Rather, the Russian word “Krasnaya” which means either “red” or “beautiful” was first used to describe St. Basil’s Cathedral (pictured above) located at the southeast end of the square. Over the years “Krasnaya” has come to define the entire square.

St. Basil’s, with the nine colorful onion-domed, red brick towers was built between the years of 1555 and 1561 by Ivan the Terrible. It is arguably the most famous, as well as one of the most beautiful and most photographed, structures in all of Russia. As I explored the square, I saw literally hundreds of visitors shooting pictures with everything from digital camcorders to point and shoot cameras to cell phones. 

Here’s some insight into why I took the photo the way I did.

Many non-professional photographers take “picture postcard” style photographs. These are technically very good photos of favorite places or subject matter, great to show family or friends and place in the photo album at home. But, aside from being a pretty picture documenting where one has been, these photos tell little about the place itself or the people who live there.  A professional photographer will do the same, but after taking several “record” shots of a subject, he or she will explore the subject further and attempt to capture the same image in a way that will tell a story or visually comment on the life or culture of the people related to his subject.

This is what I call “slice of life” photojournalism, which documents the common, everyday occurrences that gives viewers a sense of lifestyle and place. 

In this photo of St. Basil’s (above), I included in the foreground a pair of local photographers who had set up shop on the square in front of the cathedral. They had erected a small picture board showing prices and samples of their work, as well as photographs of children, couples, friends, bridal portraits -- all shot in various locations around the square, some with St. Basil’s as a backdrop. On the left, the photographer’s body language indicates mild frustration as he watches tourists with their digital cameras and cell phones snapping away at this historic landmark, ignoring completely the services that he has to offer. His partner’s attitude on the right? He just wants to enjoy the morning newspaper.

Entry by Kent Harville

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This entry was posted on September 25, 2009 4:00 AM and is filed under Photos . You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.