boomguy57
Well-known
I saw this while browsing the web this morning and thought I'd pass it along. I have wanted to visit this for a while but haven't managed it yet. Anyone have any idea how dangerous it is now?
CHERNOBYL
I like that you can see a society that is gone now, and it isn't idealized. Due to the hasty evacuation and relative lack of activity since then, it is a piece of history that is untouched. As an historian, I think that is pretty cool.
CHERNOBYL
I like that you can see a society that is gone now, and it isn't idealized. Due to the hasty evacuation and relative lack of activity since then, it is a piece of history that is untouched. As an historian, I think that is pretty cool.
jonasv
has no mustache
That "leica glow" he talks about does get a different meaning near Chernobyl 
I read a lot about Chernobyl and saw a lot of pictures and in my opinion it's overrated though. First of all it's definitely not untouched. Three decades of poverty in the area have meant that despite any radiation, anything that was left there has been stolen...
It appears not to be too dangerous if you follow the tour, but that is because you cannot enter a lot of areas. In other words, you won't exactly be strolling around, exploring the town, if I understand it correctly: you need to take a tour leading you over some roads, seeing those buildings (see pictures) that everyone sees.
In my opinion, I think you can find better "abandoned" places. Villages and towns have been abandoned for various reasons over the year. One example, not very big, that comes to mind is the village of Doel in Belgium. Due to the expansion of the harbour, it was officially said somewhere before the year 2000 that the village would be completely demolished. It's 2012 and nothing of the sort has happened yet (two financial crises have something to do with that), but the village has been almost completely depopulated for 15 years now. As an added bonus you get to walk around in the streets, houses...
Coincidentally, there is also a nuclear powerplant in Doel, but that one has not melted down yet
Just saying. Doel is very small and probably not worth coming over for, I just happen to know it because it's close. But what I'm trying to say is that I bet there are more interesting places than Chernobyl.
I read a lot about Chernobyl and saw a lot of pictures and in my opinion it's overrated though. First of all it's definitely not untouched. Three decades of poverty in the area have meant that despite any radiation, anything that was left there has been stolen...
It appears not to be too dangerous if you follow the tour, but that is because you cannot enter a lot of areas. In other words, you won't exactly be strolling around, exploring the town, if I understand it correctly: you need to take a tour leading you over some roads, seeing those buildings (see pictures) that everyone sees.
In my opinion, I think you can find better "abandoned" places. Villages and towns have been abandoned for various reasons over the year. One example, not very big, that comes to mind is the village of Doel in Belgium. Due to the expansion of the harbour, it was officially said somewhere before the year 2000 that the village would be completely demolished. It's 2012 and nothing of the sort has happened yet (two financial crises have something to do with that), but the village has been almost completely depopulated for 15 years now. As an added bonus you get to walk around in the streets, houses...
Coincidentally, there is also a nuclear powerplant in Doel, but that one has not melted down yet
Just saying. Doel is very small and probably not worth coming over for, I just happen to know it because it's close. But what I'm trying to say is that I bet there are more interesting places than Chernobyl.
boomguy57
Well-known
Fair point...Chernobyl has the reputation I guess
I like shooting abandoned places, and Chernobyl has that added mystery and dark past. Never heard of Doel, but it might be worth a trip!
I like shooting abandoned places, and Chernobyl has that added mystery and dark past. Never heard of Doel, but it might be worth a trip!
boomguy57
Well-known
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Paul Fusco's narrated photo essay of the Chernobyl explosions impact on the local children is incredible. This drives home his message like a sledgehammer.
Definitely not suitable for those who only like happy photos.
edit: a bit different than the one PKR references. The one I referenced is not only the photos but narrated by Paul Fusco.
Definitely not suitable for those who only like happy photos.
edit: a bit different than the one PKR references. The one I referenced is not only the photos but narrated by Paul Fusco.
boomguy57
Well-known
More good stuff!
jonasv
has no mustache
I agree that Paul Fusco's series is one of the most powerful I've ever seen. As a note to the original poster, consider that the series is about the 'Chernobyl legacy' and most of them were made outside of the actual Chernobyl area you were talking about. Except for the first photos in the series if I remember correctly.
boomguy57
Well-known
I realize that it's not about the location, but the emotional weight of the images is simply something to behold.
emraphoto
Veteran
Bob Michaels
nobody special
The link is not perfect but it will get you to his work. Then you can view all his essays.
wojtek
Established
Weber got behind the obvious and provided us with an interesting view on Chernobyl.
Steve's showing same photographs of ruined buildings, debris and abandoned playgrounds as every other tourist getting there. Boring, uninspiring and over-processed.
Chernobyl is more than that, it's a scar, it's a rotten shell, and a proof that we got it wrong. It needs eyes open really wide...
Thanks for sharing, still.
Steve's showing same photographs of ruined buildings, debris and abandoned playgrounds as every other tourist getting there. Boring, uninspiring and over-processed.
Chernobyl is more than that, it's a scar, it's a rotten shell, and a proof that we got it wrong. It needs eyes open really wide...
Thanks for sharing, still.
Livesteamer
Well-known
For more information and photos on Chernobyl, check out www.elenafilatova.com Joe
emraphoto
Veteran
Weber got behind the obvious and provided us with an interesting view on Chernobyl.
Steve's showing same photographs of ruined buildings, debris and abandoned playgrounds as every other tourist getting there. Boring, uninspiring and over-processed.
Chernobyl is more than that, it's a scar, it's a rotten shell, and a proof that we got it wrong. It needs eyes open really wide...
Thanks for sharing, still.
he (Weber) has produced quite a bit of work from the region. lived there for a while. a lot of it has questions about power and it's ability to circumvent the checks and balances we all have to deal with.
MartinP
Veteran
You could always fly over to Japan and compare-and-contrast, photographically ?