Blog
Aug 09
This is my first Blog ever! I will try to keep it short and hopefully interesting. At least my friends and relatives will be able to keep track of my whereabouts. Roughly. Without too many details or names :).
Me
First class
My mum, (not so) little brother and I in Pikalevo, Russia
Daddy, me and my brother joining the demonstration, Pikalevo (first line of course)
My name is Nadia Isakova. Now I live in London, UK, but I was born in Russia, in Leningrad region, close to the one of the most beautiful, proud and romantic cities in the world – Saint Petersburg. When I say close I mean close by the Russian standards (as my country crosses over 11 time zones) - about 250 km away. I did some photography when I was in the school but not that much. I always dreamt of travelling though, of far away adventures, of seeing new places and people and trying out different things. Well, back then, in USSR, these were dreams I never really expected to come true. Most of all I wanted to go to Greece – I fall in love with that country after reading Gerald Durrell book “My family and other animals”. However my first ever “foreign land” was Finland where I also tried my first ever hamburger – at a tender age of 15 or so. Then Hungary. UK. USA. And only then Greece. And I got a “travelling flu” and at a later stage a “photography bug” too.
Let start my photography blog from this year. What have I done so far? Well, these 8 months have been a very difficult emotional time for me so my mind and my heart are not really in the right place and state. I have not really visited many places or done lot of photography. But ok, in January I spent one week on a photo workshop in Glencoe, Scotland. Then I briefly revisited St. Ives in Cornwall and Norfolk broads. At the end of March I travelled to a country from my “childhood list” - Cuba. For us, Russians, it always had a special side to it. Castro, revolution, communism, free healthcare and education, no visas for Russians, cigars, rum, pina colada – I always wanted to visit it. Well, it did not disappoint. Though it was quite shocking to see how poor most of those people are – but at the same time so happy, friendly and proud. It made me feel so privileged but at the same time missing some things – simplicity of their lives, their ability to be happy about small pleasures of life, friendship between neighbours, dancing and singing during the day just because they feel like doing so… Yes, I did enjoy that trip even if I prefer landscapes to people and architecture photography.
St. Ives, Cornwall, Jan 09
Suffolk, Jan 09
Glencoe, Feb 09
Havana, Cuba, March 09
Our swimming pool, Cuba
Cuban paparazzi, Trinidad
Me in Havana
In May I spent one week in my Russian motherland which is always relaxing and wonderful.
In July I photographed lavender, sunflowers and hill-top villages in Provence. We (I joined a photo workshop) were very lucky with the weather – not only sky was blue (which is nice enough for “normal” people but can be boring for photographers – I know, life is tough!) but there were occasional clouds of the right fluffiness which – believe you me – happens very rarely, both in UK and abroad! So, now in my portfolio I have images of my favourite “Big Four” – lavender, sunflowers, poppies and rapeseed. Finally I am (at least photographically) happy.
Windmill (and me) in Provence
Now in my "wanderlust" plans are a long photo weekend in Bruges, Belgium, in August, and a short vacation in Russia in the autumn. Write to you soon! Nadia
Sept 09
Just back from Russia… As always fabulous and very relaxing but did not manage to do much photography – my parents needed help to dig out potatoes on our dacha. Tough job but somebody has to do it! Still, I was lucky with the weather and took few images of Somino, traditional Russian village, and of the Tikhvin monastery.
Me in Russia
Before my Russian holidays I and my friend Virginia spent a photo weekend in Bruges, Belgium. Again, we were lucky with the weather and were blessed with few reflections. As for food and wines – perfect, really enjoyed it!
Oct 09
Not doing too much "field" photography – working on a huge backlog of the images from my previous trips/ submitting to the libraries, busy days in the office, buying a new flat, joined fencing club (saber), partying, etc...In plans so far – weekend in the Lakes in November, few evening/ morning shots of London, frozen Russia and joining a photo workshop in Namibia next year – V. excited about this! More details later.
Nov 09
Just back from the Lakes – yes, most people who know me will guess – it was raining and windy and mostly grey. For the 9th time in a row. But, thanks to Virginia’s “weather magic” there was a bit of light on Saturday and I hope I got few images I will be proud of. I also got a bad cold there but this is normal – as long as it is not of a swine type!
Love the Lakes District – not only for its “photo” beauty but for its inspiration and spirit and feeling of freedom. It never fails to soothe and encourage me. It recharges my “life batteries”. It is my “muse”.
Rydal Water, Nov 09
Jan 10
Just back to London from my winter Russian holidays. In a few words – home, sweet home… Weather was rather grey and cold (-25c) so I did not really have a chance to take images I wanted. Now back to London and to more snow and cold!
Feb 10
So many things to do so little time! And so many images… Getting excited and ready for the Namibia trip - and a bit scared too, deeply afraid of the scorpions and snakes and like plus have to take many flights. But all the locations there look so great, cannot wait to start my next adventure!
March 10
Just back from my big African adventures – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! Namibia was same and more than I expected and hoped for. Stunning landscapes, amazing wildlife (I saw animals I’ve only seen in the zoos or in books I read as a child), superb accommodation, delicious food, friendly, smiling people. I would never forget a feeling of sheer joy and amazement when one morning, just after another beautiful sunrise, a vast group of swifts streamed around me catching their breakfast. Springboks leaping in the air. The grace and the soulful eyes of a giraffe. The magnificence and scale of mountains and dunes. Whisper of the grass. Cool champagne after morning balloon flight. Torrential rain hitting my skin and the heat of the sun. Baboons screeching around my tent. The understanding and the banter of the fellow photographers. The feeling of the belonging. The space, the shapes, the smells, the uniqueness, the dreams coming true – this is Namibia for me. I’ve fallen in love and I have to come back.
Apr 10
Moving into new flat and new office with no or little access to the internet and my images. Cannot wait to settle down and start working on Namibia!
Sept 10
In July I went to Russia for a week and visited Veliky Novgorod, one of the most ancient cities of the East Slavs, founded in 869. It is a beautiful city full of monasteries and churches. Images to come shortly.
In September I travelled to Biarritz, France. Long sandy beaches, excellent surf, plentiful drinks and food. Rather relaxing!
March 11
"The Valkyrior are warlike virgins, mounted upon horses and armed with helmets and spears. When they ride forth on their errand, their armour sheds a strange flickering light, which flashes up over the northern skies, making what men call the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights."" Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch
One week in Lapland, Finland, hunting Aurora Borealis. I have to say it is really hard work to photograph – or even see – Aurora Borealis. You never know where, when or even if, she will appear. All you know you need clear skies . Which means cold. Which means snow. And lots of patience. Ok, I did see her twice. It was surreal, magical and ever changing. Will I ever be back to find her again? I am not sure. As Finland is very similar in nature and even way of living to my homeland, Russia. But I loved huskies and reindeer sledding. And reindeer race. Photos to come soon!
Sept 11
In August I spent one week in Russia and apart from eating and sleeping as usual while at home, visited three beautiful monasteries in Lodeinoe Pole region, Leningrad Oblast, very close to its border with the Republic of Karelia. So much forest. So much water. So few villages around. Beautiful, spiritual and wild.
One day trip to Dungeness in Kent. Nuclear power stations, shingle beach, fishing boats - old and new, derelict huts, miniature railway, fish & chips. In other words, great day out!
Dec 11
Short trip to Venice, Italy. Fortunately not too many people wondering into my shots but still busy. Was hoping for the dramatic clouds and even a bit of fog but all I got was endless blue sky! But ok, was not that bad, and sunsets did not disappoint. I do not find Venice that romantic but it is beautiful indeed, and every time I go there I find new locations to be admired and photographed.
And of course Christmas and New Year at (second) home, in St. Petersburg. Skies were grey, no snow and lots of rain so not too much luck with the photography. But as always wonderful time with my family and friends.
March 12
Long waited-for trip to the Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. What can I say – I liked the place but the weather... famous Scottish weather... Hurricanes, horizontal rain, hail, never ending veil of grey skies, sheep flying around (well, just about). First time ever I’ve seen waterfalls flowing upwards - weird but fun. We did manage to get few hours of reasonable light and even some definition in the clouds but unfortunately I did not have a chance to photograph the locations I was interested in the most. Guess, another place to come back to in the future! PS Local whisky is good. Local Hungarian goulash is quite exceptional too :). As well as Haggis, Neeps and Tatties.
April 12
A very short Easter break in Russia. Weather was cold and grey apart from one day when sun finally did come out. At the moment I am planning two very adventurous (at least for me!) trips to Russia during next 12 months – one is around Golden Ring and Moscow, and another a 2-days train trip plus a week of sea and photography in Krasnodar and Sochi. Watch this space!
May 12
Just back from the fantastic workshop in Iceland. In short – waterfalls, rainbows, ponies (sorry, horses!), volcanoes, smoke, steam, icicles, roads, mist, rain, wind, ash storms, hot chocolate, derelict objects and crushed planes (do not panic. just one plane. of many years ago. very rusty) etc. Surreal and beautiful!
Sept 12
One week holiday in Formentera, Balearic islands, Spain. MAGNIFICENT beaches. AMAZING water. SOFTEST sand. Would advice to avoid summer months as guess it gets very crowded. Public transport is rather limited so a car/ moped hire is essential despite small size of the island. Lots of nude people :). Really relaxing place, and really photogenic.
Nov 12
A long weekend in Lake District, one of my most favourite places on Earth, and few days in St Petersburg, Russia.
Feb 13
Just back from very dusty and hot but amazing Burma. Completely charmed by that country. Beautiful, exotic, smiling, welcoming, colourful, slightly mad :). Full of monks, Buddhas, fishermen and oxen. Fortunately have not seen a single snake or a scorpion. Could be seriously bad for your wallet - the jewellery is simply stunning! As per photo opportunities – endless, simply endless! Another location I am fully intended to re-visit!
This is my first Blog ever! I will try to keep it short and hopefully interesting. At least my friends and relatives will be able to keep track of my whereabouts. Roughly. Without too many details or names :).
Me
First class
My mum, (not so) little brother and I in Pikalevo, Russia
Daddy, me and my brother joining the demonstration, Pikalevo (first line of course)
My name is Nadia Isakova. Now I live in London, UK, but I was born in Russia, in Leningrad region, close to the one of the most beautiful, proud and romantic cities in the world – Saint Petersburg. When I say close I mean close by the Russian standards (as my country crosses over 11 time zones) - about 250 km away. I did some photography when I was in the school but not that much. I always dreamt of travelling though, of far away adventures, of seeing new places and people and trying out different things. Well, back then, in USSR, these were dreams I never really expected to come true. Most of all I wanted to go to Greece – I fall in love with that country after reading Gerald Durrell book “My family and other animals”. However my first ever “foreign land” was Finland where I also tried my first ever hamburger – at a tender age of 15 or so. Then Hungary. UK. USA. And only then Greece. And I got a “travelling flu” and at a later stage a “photography bug” too.
Let start my photography blog from this year. What have I done so far? Well, these 8 months have been a very difficult emotional time for me so my mind and my heart are not really in the right place and state. I have not really visited many places or done lot of photography. But ok, in January I spent one week on a photo workshop in Glencoe, Scotland. Then I briefly revisited St. Ives in Cornwall and Norfolk broads. At the end of March I travelled to a country from my “childhood list” - Cuba. For us, Russians, it always had a special side to it. Castro, revolution, communism, free healthcare and education, no visas for Russians, cigars, rum, pina colada – I always wanted to visit it. Well, it did not disappoint. Though it was quite shocking to see how poor most of those people are – but at the same time so happy, friendly and proud. It made me feel so privileged but at the same time missing some things – simplicity of their lives, their ability to be happy about small pleasures of life, friendship between neighbours, dancing and singing during the day just because they feel like doing so… Yes, I did enjoy that trip even if I prefer landscapes to people and architecture photography.
St. Ives, Cornwall, Jan 09
Suffolk, Jan 09
Glencoe, Feb 09
Havana, Cuba, March 09
Our swimming pool, Cuba
Cuban paparazzi, Trinidad
Me in Havana
In May I spent one week in my Russian motherland which is always relaxing and wonderful.
In July I photographed lavender, sunflowers and hill-top villages in Provence. We (I joined a photo workshop) were very lucky with the weather – not only sky was blue (which is nice enough for “normal” people but can be boring for photographers – I know, life is tough!) but there were occasional clouds of the right fluffiness which – believe you me – happens very rarely, both in UK and abroad! So, now in my portfolio I have images of my favourite “Big Four” – lavender, sunflowers, poppies and rapeseed. Finally I am (at least photographically) happy.
Windmill (and me) in Provence
Now in my "wanderlust" plans are a long photo weekend in Bruges, Belgium, in August, and a short vacation in Russia in the autumn. Write to you soon! Nadia
Sept 09
Just back from Russia… As always fabulous and very relaxing but did not manage to do much photography – my parents needed help to dig out potatoes on our dacha. Tough job but somebody has to do it! Still, I was lucky with the weather and took few images of Somino, traditional Russian village, and of the Tikhvin monastery.
Me in Russia
Before my Russian holidays I and my friend Virginia spent a photo weekend in Bruges, Belgium. Again, we were lucky with the weather and were blessed with few reflections. As for food and wines – perfect, really enjoyed it!
Oct 09
Not doing too much "field" photography – working on a huge backlog of the images from my previous trips/ submitting to the libraries, busy days in the office, buying a new flat, joined fencing club (saber), partying, etc...In plans so far – weekend in the Lakes in November, few evening/ morning shots of London, frozen Russia and joining a photo workshop in Namibia next year – V. excited about this! More details later.
Nov 09
Just back from the Lakes – yes, most people who know me will guess – it was raining and windy and mostly grey. For the 9th time in a row. But, thanks to Virginia’s “weather magic” there was a bit of light on Saturday and I hope I got few images I will be proud of. I also got a bad cold there but this is normal – as long as it is not of a swine type!
Love the Lakes District – not only for its “photo” beauty but for its inspiration and spirit and feeling of freedom. It never fails to soothe and encourage me. It recharges my “life batteries”. It is my “muse”.
Rydal Water, Nov 09
Jan 10
Just back to London from my winter Russian holidays. In a few words – home, sweet home… Weather was rather grey and cold (-25c) so I did not really have a chance to take images I wanted. Now back to London and to more snow and cold!
Feb 10
So many things to do so little time! And so many images… Getting excited and ready for the Namibia trip - and a bit scared too, deeply afraid of the scorpions and snakes and like plus have to take many flights. But all the locations there look so great, cannot wait to start my next adventure!
March 10
Just back from my big African adventures – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! Namibia was same and more than I expected and hoped for. Stunning landscapes, amazing wildlife (I saw animals I’ve only seen in the zoos or in books I read as a child), superb accommodation, delicious food, friendly, smiling people. I would never forget a feeling of sheer joy and amazement when one morning, just after another beautiful sunrise, a vast group of swifts streamed around me catching their breakfast. Springboks leaping in the air. The grace and the soulful eyes of a giraffe. The magnificence and scale of mountains and dunes. Whisper of the grass. Cool champagne after morning balloon flight. Torrential rain hitting my skin and the heat of the sun. Baboons screeching around my tent. The understanding and the banter of the fellow photographers. The feeling of the belonging. The space, the shapes, the smells, the uniqueness, the dreams coming true – this is Namibia for me. I’ve fallen in love and I have to come back.
Apr 10
Moving into new flat and new office with no or little access to the internet and my images. Cannot wait to settle down and start working on Namibia!
Sept 10
In July I went to Russia for a week and visited Veliky Novgorod, one of the most ancient cities of the East Slavs, founded in 869. It is a beautiful city full of monasteries and churches. Images to come shortly.
In September I travelled to Biarritz, France. Long sandy beaches, excellent surf, plentiful drinks and food. Rather relaxing!
March 11
"The Valkyrior are warlike virgins, mounted upon horses and armed with helmets and spears. When they ride forth on their errand, their armour sheds a strange flickering light, which flashes up over the northern skies, making what men call the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights."" Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch
One week in Lapland, Finland, hunting Aurora Borealis. I have to say it is really hard work to photograph – or even see – Aurora Borealis. You never know where, when or even if, she will appear. All you know you need clear skies . Which means cold. Which means snow. And lots of patience. Ok, I did see her twice. It was surreal, magical and ever changing. Will I ever be back to find her again? I am not sure. As Finland is very similar in nature and even way of living to my homeland, Russia. But I loved huskies and reindeer sledding. And reindeer race. Photos to come soon!
Sept 11
In August I spent one week in Russia and apart from eating and sleeping as usual while at home, visited three beautiful monasteries in Lodeinoe Pole region, Leningrad Oblast, very close to its border with the Republic of Karelia. So much forest. So much water. So few villages around. Beautiful, spiritual and wild.
One day trip to Dungeness in Kent. Nuclear power stations, shingle beach, fishing boats - old and new, derelict huts, miniature railway, fish & chips. In other words, great day out!
Dec 11
Short trip to Venice, Italy. Fortunately not too many people wondering into my shots but still busy. Was hoping for the dramatic clouds and even a bit of fog but all I got was endless blue sky! But ok, was not that bad, and sunsets did not disappoint. I do not find Venice that romantic but it is beautiful indeed, and every time I go there I find new locations to be admired and photographed.
And of course Christmas and New Year at (second) home, in St. Petersburg. Skies were grey, no snow and lots of rain so not too much luck with the photography. But as always wonderful time with my family and friends.
March 12
Long waited-for trip to the Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. What can I say – I liked the place but the weather... famous Scottish weather... Hurricanes, horizontal rain, hail, never ending veil of grey skies, sheep flying around (well, just about). First time ever I’ve seen waterfalls flowing upwards - weird but fun. We did manage to get few hours of reasonable light and even some definition in the clouds but unfortunately I did not have a chance to photograph the locations I was interested in the most. Guess, another place to come back to in the future! PS Local whisky is good. Local Hungarian goulash is quite exceptional too :). As well as Haggis, Neeps and Tatties.
April 12
A very short Easter break in Russia. Weather was cold and grey apart from one day when sun finally did come out. At the moment I am planning two very adventurous (at least for me!) trips to Russia during next 12 months – one is around Golden Ring and Moscow, and another a 2-days train trip plus a week of sea and photography in Krasnodar and Sochi. Watch this space!
May 12
Just back from the fantastic workshop in Iceland. In short – waterfalls, rainbows, ponies (sorry, horses!), volcanoes, smoke, steam, icicles, roads, mist, rain, wind, ash storms, hot chocolate, derelict objects and crushed planes (do not panic. just one plane. of many years ago. very rusty) etc. Surreal and beautiful!
Sept 12
One week holiday in Formentera, Balearic islands, Spain. MAGNIFICENT beaches. AMAZING water. SOFTEST sand. Would advice to avoid summer months as guess it gets very crowded. Public transport is rather limited so a car/ moped hire is essential despite small size of the island. Lots of nude people :). Really relaxing place, and really photogenic.
Nov 12
A long weekend in Lake District, one of my most favourite places on Earth, and few days in St Petersburg, Russia.
Feb 13
Just back from very dusty and hot but amazing Burma. Completely charmed by that country. Beautiful, exotic, smiling, welcoming, colourful, slightly mad :). Full of monks, Buddhas, fishermen and oxen. Fortunately have not seen a single snake or a scorpion. Could be seriously bad for your wallet - the jewellery is simply stunning! As per photo opportunities – endless, simply endless! Another location I am fully intended to re-visit!
