14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Between heaven and earth_009

I had met this remarkable woman in Novozybkov town of Bryansk region. She crossed the road confidently on homemade wheelchair and stopped cars by lifting her hand. It was possibly met our war veteran on a such vehicle after the Second World War, but to see it in 2015 was quite strange. I become acquainted with her. I explained that I would like to show the person strong in spirit. She agreed and we walked on the market together. I carried her heavy bag with goods in one hand and my camera in the other one. I took photographs from my chest level in order not to attract attention of passers-by. Many people on the marked, both salesman and customers, looked askance at us and some of them addressed me foul words. But Olga stopped them by telling ‘The reporter takes photographs of me. Don’t shout and be envious privately‘. You could not explain the matter to everyone. We felt humans lack of understanding, astonishment and blame.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2015
Date Uploaded: 11.2016
Photo Location: Russia
Camera: NIKON D800
Copyright: © Alexander Stepanenko