"Out...!!!!!" Photo

Photographer’s Note

I took this photo with my cell phone 1.3mpx camera at the entrance to Kolomenskaya metro station in Moscow. I just happened to pass by.

The ticket collector at the entrance to the metro station did not let the girl pass: she said that bikes are not allowed in the Moscow metro. Both were very angry.

Oh yes, you can see a dog as well. It is a homeless dog. Well, I hope this photo will not be removed for the reason of a dog captured in it.

Very few people know that the Eurovision song contest in Moscow became a requiem for hundreds, or, rather, thousands of homeless dogs.

Before May holidays and especially before the Eurovision contest Moscow authorities got rid of homeless people - and of stray dogs, too, especially those dogs which could be seen by foreign guests in the centre of the city and in the areas near Moscow's Olympiysky Arena where the contest was held.

The guys who came to catch and shoot the dogs in Moscow yards and lanes did not care if they happened to catch and take away, or, rather, more often - simply kill on the spot - a homeless dog or a dog which was owned by someone (in Moscow people sometimes let their dogs walk alone because they are too lazy to go out and walk their dogs).

What is better for a homeless dog in Moscow: to be shot right where it was found? or to be taken away to a special "dog-asylum"? Those who have seen such "asulyms" say: it is better (more "humane"?) to be shot and die at once rather than die slowly of hunger and lack of water.

This dog which is lying next to the ticket collector must consider itself very happy: it remained alive and free.

----------------------------------------------
Kolomenskaya is a station on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line of the Moscow Metro, which was opened on 11 August 1969 as part of the southern extension of the line and was named after the Kolomenskoye museum-park next to it

Sources: Russian mass media

KevRyan, ang25, UlfE, mafegan, skippy007, mikeyeats has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

litiancai (1040) 2009-05-21 23:56

Hi Elena,

Really interesting note, you've explained about each element of the picture. Despite the shot being taken on a mobile phone you've caught the moment well and the real slow shutter has created an interesting effect with the over exposed lights and movement of people.

Nice shot, and worth sharing !

Lee

wolf38 (12493) 2009-05-22 0:00

Hello Elena. A candid photograph and a good snapshot. Well seen and photographically exemplary realizes. The photo pleases me. Best regards, Wolfgang.

burraburra (764) 2009-05-22 3:22

Hello Elena,
Great decisive moment captured. I love the B&W presentation. Excellent POV. I believe the dog is showing a great fear of what may happen to him /her. I feel very sorry for the homeless dogs in Moscow and all over the world. You have written a very good note. TFS.
Warm regards from Australia,
Graham.

jplebrun (16570) 2009-05-22 6:20

Bonjour Elena
la madame ne semble pas contente, son expression en dit long, tant qu'au chien il semble pas nerveux devant tous ces gens qui passent et repassent devant lui, belle présentation.
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

bukitgolfb301 (4425) 2009-05-22 16:54

Hello my dear Elena

That is a quite unique and unrealistic combination (bicycle, dog, entrance of platform--) I cannot imagine the situation even though I read your note.
B&W image is good idea and slow shutter is very effective.
Thanks for sharing and best regards,

Takero

AKITA (5055) 2009-05-22 22:16

dear Elena,
the real and actual face of one civilization is well observed in most weak people or animals in it...
the future (or the doom) of this dog really suggests the destiny of you and us in it too.
anyway maybe this situation is surrealistic like a slapstick comedy on the stage, or an old cinema of Charlie Chaplin...
the reality makes a round trip from actual life to imaginative stage, and truth is stranger than fiction.
the combination of this girl and the dog is extreme for photo indeed.
thank you,
Akihisa

UlfE (8837) 2009-05-22 22:45

Hi Elena,

Excellent documentary photo. You have captured the girl's anger in an excellent way. I also love the look of the dog that hears everything, is a bit annoyed but keeps cool. TFS and have nice day!

Cheers,

Ulf

ElAprendiz (7370) 2009-05-23 5:21

Hello my dear friend Elena:

The photo is certainly not easy to be done. I think that the lighting on stage was not the best, but I emphasize highly framing and composition.

The textures in black and white, have made this an interesting job.

Special greeting from Colombia, John

Vasa (4836) 2009-05-23 15:08

Draga Elena,

the dog could be from Serbia, and the girl. But we don't have the metro here...Superb idea and your reaction. In your place I should do the same probably. All compliments and friendship for you, draga tovariš.

Branko

trekks (14260) 2009-05-24 1:15

hi Elena

Poor dog. Looks like a good dog to me.

Very interesting capture of a scene in the metro station. The B&W effect and slow motion of the woman at left is interesting inclusion for the sense of the subway. I would probably have little chance to visit Moscow, so this metro shot is a fine TE post for me to learn about life there. good shot.

tfs, bill

mafegan (3949) 2009-05-29 8:29

Hi Elena
You tell a good and interesting story and you captured the moment well. A lucky dog to still be living - although he has a sad look about him which suggests he may know he time could soon be up. Tfs, Marlene

molla (6875) 2009-05-29 13:50

Dear Elena
Thanks for your interesting reflection over the state of the nation around ESC.. and thinking about the cost for it it could have been paradise for both homeless dog and human for a long time
Anders

are you aloud to take the Bike at the Metro ?

skippy007 (6799) 2009-05-31 21:50

Hello Elena, I have just read your intro with interest, I must agree with your thoughts on this new TE site, my dislike is one of the reasons I have been a little quite on TE lately but the desire to communicate with you & others has been too strong & finally I have given in. I like this photo especially in BW, I think it really adds to that drama that already exists. The moment has been very well caught & is well enhanced by your well written note. A fantastic & very descriptive image well captured on you CELL phone. If I could take shots like this on my phone I think I would leave my camera at home more often. :-). Well done.
Regards
Santo

holmertz (9284) 2009-06-20 13:00

Hej Elena,
An interesting and rather touching picture featuring several aspects of daily life in Moscow. It is a good documentary shot, and the black & white enhances those qualities. The blurred images behind the girls make the documentary feeling even stronger. I couldn't imagine any homless dogs in Stockholm. I don't think I've ever seen any, only the sometimes rather scary dogs in bad condition owned by drug addicts, alcoholics and other misfits.
Hälsningar,
Gert

mikeyeats (375) 2009-09-04 2:28

Elena,
As I said before, I like your Metro pictures you did one of a dog once before if I remember correctly.
the dog looks a little nervous at the conversaion going on behind him. I think the limitations of the phone camera has made a good subject better.
All the best
Mike