Author: Jan

Chernobyl 25 Years Revisited – Chapter 1 Correcting Misconceptions

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Chernobyl, Diorama Chernobyl Museum Kiev, Jan Smtih 2011

Chernobyl – 25 Years Later

“When I was invited to come work in the Exclusion Zone, the first words that came to mind were: Chernobyl, radiation, mutations, and cancer.” — Max relating how he came to work in Chernobyl.

I found those four words to be common associations made by many people when I mentioned I was embarking to document Chernobyl 25 years after the accident.  In this sense there are a few misconceptions worth correcting about Chernobyl. Continue reading “Chernobyl 25 Years Revisited – Chapter 1 Correcting Misconceptions” →

One Life – International Photography Contest

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Fardin Waezi

One Life Winner – Jan Smith

In October of 2010 I submitted to the One Life International Photography Contest and included the contest in my review of photography contests. Then I crossed my fingers and intentionally forgot all about it– I’ve worked myself up before, only to receive a “thank you, but no thank you” message, or worse, no answer at all.  Well, the results came in today and I was tremendously happy and surprised to see I was the category winner for “Places”. This is not the same as the Grand Prize of $25,000, but I will get a free camera, so I’m not complaining. Continue reading “One Life – International Photography Contest” →

Camera Stores in Russia – Moscow

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Camera Stores in Moscow

I left my Nikon EN-EL4 Battery Charger in Mexico before coming to Moscow.  Stupid thing, I know.  Weeks of planning and then to leave a key piece behind.

Finding a well stocked camera store for professional photographers in Moscow is a challenge. Ironically however, some of the Apple stores stock Leica and you can get a M-9 or a Noctilux 0.95 ! It’s usually the other way around–try finding Leica equipment in Mexico City or Sao Paulo. Continue reading “Camera Stores in Russia – Moscow” →

The Beauty of Dying Twice – Laurent Bochet and Deyrolle

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Deyrolle Lion After Fire by Laurent Bochet

Laurent Bochet & Deyrolle

Laurent Bochet makes dying twice, and once by fire, a sadly beautiful event to behold.  In 2008 he photographed the remains of Paris taxidermy shop  (a cabinet of curiosities)– Deyrolle– after it burned. Continue reading “The Beauty of Dying Twice – Laurent Bochet and Deyrolle” →

A Picture for “Castaways” – Nouadhibou

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Poem "Castaways" by David Jibson

Nouadhibou – Castaways

Yesterday I got a kind note from David Jibson, author of Looking for Wisdom Blog (http://lookingforwisdom.tumblr.com).  He thanked me for an image that helped him get inspiration for finishing a poem.  It’s rare for somebody to take the time to let you know they re-posted some of your work, but David’s poem struck me because of its reference to the Aral Sea.  Indeed, this is on the radar for 2011, as soon as I finish my work in Chernobyl.