The Serpent's Wall

[pradeep1]

Fascinating story from the same girl who brought us the original motorcycle ride through Chernobyl.

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/serpents-wall/page1.html

Enjoy,

[robertwgross]

Maybe this belongs in the fiction forum.

---Bob Gross---

[ron chappel]

Now why would you assume it is fiction bob? :x

[pradeep1]

If nothing else, it is a testament to how powerfully a subject can be expressed to others with photographs. Her Chernobyl project was probably the best use of photography I have seen in a long time by an amateur: http://www.kiddofspeed.com/chapter1.html

[JZaun]

Thats quite a documentary by that young lady. Great history and information many do not know!!

JZ

[Tom W]

Read this thread, about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down - the story has been debunked:

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30039&highlight=chernobyl

[JZaun]

Tom. I am not ready to debunk a story based on one input. Who wrote the input what are their qualifications what was there motive. Maybe she streatched the truth a little or a lot but the story is based on some fact and interesting. I take it as what it was meant to be a story. I spent 2 hours riding a motorcycle on a military base that was close to the public and never got caught some years ago.. I won't call her a story teller :? without a lot more proof.

JZ

[Tom W]

Tom. I am not ready to debunk a story based on one input. Who wrote the input what are their qualifications what was there motive. Maybe she streatched the truth a little or a lot but the story is based on some fact and interesting. I take it as what it was meant to be a story. I spent 2 hours riding a motorcycle on a military base that was close to the public and never got caught some years ago.. I won't call her a story teller :? without a lot more proof.

JZ

I don't know - I guess its not fair to debunk her story based on one input. On the other hand, the story itself is but one input. One could be more inclined to disregard the story without a lot more proof.

I will say that I tend to be more skeptical than most, perhaps too much so. And perhaps that's why I prefer that she prove her documentary before I accept it.

[dn7elson]

Who wrote the input what are their qualifications what was there motive.

Mary Mycio. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Jul 6, 2004. pg. A.3

Subjects: Fraud, Web sites, Journalism, Travel
Locations: Chernobyl Ukraine, Ukraine
Article types: News
Dateline: PRIPYAT, Ukraine
Section: Main News; Part A; Foreign Desk
ISSN/ISBN: 04583035
Text Word Count 883

[Belmondo]

Whatever the L.A. Times says, believe the exact opposite. The crossword puzzle is okay---the rest of it is best suited for birdcage lining.

[Tom W]

Whatever the L.A. Times says, believe the exact opposite. The crossword puzzle is okay---the rest of it is best suited for birdcage lining.

Well, since you put it that way, I'll wait for a second opinion. :)

Actually, I'm skeptical of both the LAT and the original author.

[dbump]

Here's another naysaying source:
http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=8951
About halfway down that page, a post by 'pulse' is yet another opinion in the negative. He also offers a link to the tour company he used to visit Chernobyl--and a nice pano from the top of the high-rise building.

Several folks have pointed out that Elena was either using a tripod and a timer, or had an accomplice, neither of which are mentioned in the otherwise rambling account.

The original site certainly raised awareness of the tragedy, which is a good thing. On this forum, I'd think it would raise awareness of photo-journal ethics. Whether you believe the original or not, it's valuable to consider that fuzzy (or is it?) line.

[Belmondo]

Who really cares? The Chernobyl pictures were powerful regardless of who took them or how many people were there when they were taken. It would be a shame if she did anything to detract from the fine quality of the work that was done.

[ron chappel]

After reading the con arguments i'm abit more inclined to doubt it happened as she says.

The thing is we may never know for sure because ,well, who would you trust- an adventurous citizen or russian officials that have been caught not enforcing the rules properly? :lol: :lol: :lol:

As she says,her father is a top scientist and that's how she got permission to do the trip on a bike
True or not? possibly....

[dbump]

It's just a bit ironic that an expose of a Soviet coverup would be, itself, information manipulation.

Don't get me wrong, the pictures are powerful, and the cause is good, but if the photos are exposed as a misrepresentation, how does that effect the cause?
Some good thoughts on how far is too far:
http://luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-july-04.shtml
and also (linked from that article):
http://larrysface.com/deception.htm

[c0ntr0lz]

now here is something for yall
wouldn't she have had to have the camera in a xray proof box os some sort?

cause radiation ruins film right?

[dbump]

I was assuming it was shot digitally--which would not be affected.

Even so, it'd be easy enough to carry your spare and developed rolls in a flexible lead foil bag (remember those--for going through airports?). The camera body should be able to protect the film for the duration you're working on a roll. Certainly, some of the pictures were older, and pre-digital, so someone took the precautions.

[pradeep1]

The repsonses to this thread are interesting. Fake or not, I still liked the pictures and the Serpent's Wall pictorial is also interesting. The Kiev story is real. Maybe not everything she said happened, but the story is real from history.