Sunday, August 01, 2010

Armenia First Scans.

Well I have a long way to go to sort my negatives and scans from Armenia, here is just a quick selection from the colour ones. The majority I shot on Black and White.

In terms of people and culture, it is the most fascinating place I have ever been. As a holiday it was incredible, in terms of documentary I only scratched the surface of the stories to be told there. I just get the feeling that I missed so much. And did I really capture the spirit of the place, or is it even possible to capture that spirit.

It's history is remarkably similar to Ireland in many ways. In some of the Rural areas I get a sense of De Ja vu, as the Farming culture and warmth of the people is that of Ireland Pre-Globalisation, and the united states of Europe.
Mount Ararat dominates the skyline, now contensouly in Turkish hands. When I returned Home I remebered Marco Polo mentioning Armenia, It's one of the first nations he mentions. Back then Mount Ararat according to Polo was in the very centre of Armenian lands. Sadly modern Armenia is now a fraction of the size it once was. In the skyline you can see behind the workers just how massive the mountain truly is.
For the people to labour under the shadow of there once spiritual home and symbol of there people, now behind a closed border of a foreign land, it is easy to see why it is such a sore talking point.

Yerevan.

The Aptly named Bangladesh Market in Yerevan. I shot a few rolls on the Xpan, it's just trying to scan the buggers is a pain.

My Friends and travelling companions Pip, Alex and our gracious host Armenie.

What stood out most to me, was not once was I harassed for money or stopped for taking pictures. Considering now in our so called developed!! nations of Europe walking around with a camera makes you a terrorist or pervert, it was so refreshing to be greeted with smiles, for making photos. It reminded of the early days of vernacular photography where those that roamed the streets with a camera were not suspicious.

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