After a few weeks of really intense cold weather and snow, everything is starting to clear a bit. A little bit of rain here and there. The odd bit of snow that soon comes and goes. But there's something in the air that now screams of spring. There's a freshness to everything that no longer gives off the feeling of winter but more speaks on nature's recovery and transition into the wonderful atmosphere of spring, as the surroundings finally take on a new life. The former Soviet sphere is often known for its doom and gloom atmospheres, and that often comes from the grim winters that just destroy all nature around. The trees are dead. No colour beyond anything other than the architecture that remains. There's mud and slush everywhere. But there's still some beauty.
I've been falling in love with photography all over again recently even if I haven't been taking a whole lot of pictures, but I think that's coming down to just seeing things differently and having a bit more money flowing in finally through it all. It's motivating me more even if the weather hasn't been the most accommodating for it all. But sometimes taking a step back can be a good thing, as it encourages you to look elsewhere and find some inspiration. To research a bit into different techniques or lenses or just finding other ways to enjoy the hobby. It has me very excited for the spring season to arrive. Likely full of storms and heavy rains, but at least with that option of being able to run around more outdoors without the cold threatening frostbite, without batteries dying so fast, and without the need for several hundred layers of clothing.
I've also continued my interest in the region's architecture. I love it! And I really want to find more ways to capture it and tell stories surrounding them. For example this unique building here was built during the Soviet Union and remains a little research centre for various robotic equipment. Next to this building is and was a massive industrial zone which built Armenia's only domestic vehicles back then. With aluminium plants nearby and various chemical laboratories because why not? These areas, some being demolished every week, some others remaining in their forms with slight changes to their operations since their previous heights. Yerevan's a city that is rapidly changing. Where its Soviet past is often being replaced for something far larger and modern. Residential zones and housing speculation becoming a massive thing out of nowhere. Forget the past, there's chaotic capitalist ventures to pursue now!
Which brings me to this last image. A strange sight here in Armenia, but one that speaks on the nation's troubled past and present. A result of the collapse of the Soviet Union which led to strong border disputes with its neighbour Azerbaijan. Leading to long lasting conflict that comes and goes. Where the signs of war are always present, either memories on the sides of old Soviet buildings or a more modern presence in the form of the United Nations and European Union diplomats which are here to 'observe'. Whatever that really means around the borders given we all know that bureaucrats do nothing useful.