Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Lviv

20 Questions in Lviv, Ukraine with Taras Bychko

*A new interview series with a play on “20 questions,” where I try to mix it up. Some serious questions, some not so much. The series will also focus on some of the best street photographers from the cities I visit around the world during my 100 Cities project.

I visited Lviv, Ukraine early on during my 100 City project. Since then, Ukraine has become one of my favorite countries to visit, as there’s something special about this uniquely authentic country. While cities like Kiev and Odessa provide their own special Ukraine atmosphere, Lviv adds a more European feel with a lot of old world charm. Making Lviv even more special, it’s also home to the talented photographer Taras Bychko. 

Taras’ work contains a lot of style and mood. By mixing creative ways of capturing light and shadow with the life of the city, he’s able to bring his own vision to his photos. While Taras isn’t the only one to play with the effects of light and shadow, his work brings a personal, creative and unique touch that makes it stand out. He also incorporates people, life, moments and color in with careful composition to play with his command of light, and add even more interest to his scenes. There’s a strong character to his work that has quickly been gaining more and more fans. And fortunately, for the blog and those fans, he’s agreed to play along in this edition of 20 Questions.

So now to learn more about him, it’s time for 20 Questions in Lviv, Ukraine with Taras Bychko…

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City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Lviv, Ukraine

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*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, safety concerns, street tips, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Lviv

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Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week: “The Yellow Room”

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Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken on Svobody Avenue in Lviv, Ukraine. This is the city’s main street and a great place for some Street Photography. It’s lined with architecture, restaurants, shops and has a nice square along the middle of the avenue that ends at Lviv’s famous Opera Theater. 

While walking along the buildings on the side of the street, I noticed this small empty room. It was the only empty room on the street and I liked how the light was coming into it through the window. The yellow color was nice too so I took a few shots when all of a sudden a man came out from the door in the back. He matched the color of the room and gave me a look so I took one more shot as he walked towards me. He didn’t say a word, though, but just continued walking on by me.

Stats:

  • Aperture: f/8.0
  • Shutter Speed: 1/500
  • ISO: 400
  • Focal Length: 27mm

33 Street Photography Photos from 4 Days in Lviv, Ukraine

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My last stop in Ukraine was also many locals’ favorite city in the country. Lviv is mixture of old architecture, churches, coffee houses and uniquely themed shops wherever you walk. All this packed into an extremely walkable city. There’s a very charming and unique vibe to the city that people refer to as “the Lviv Spirit.” When you walk around, you feel something special. 

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Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week: “Bride Brigade”

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Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken in Lviv, Ukraine along a popular shopping street on the way to Market Square. Wedding photography is extremely important in Ukraine. There’s wedding photo shops all over the different cities. It’s a big deal and big business here. Nowhere I went in Ukraine was this more true than in Lviv. The center of Lviv is packed with cobblestone streets, old churches, and beautiful medieval architecture. The atmosphere and scenery are perfect for wedding photos so every few streets you’re bound to run into a wedding shoot. 

I was walking towards Market Square when I saw this bridal party in the middle of the street. The bride was getting fixed up by one of her bridesmaids, while the rest of them were sitting on a bench. I liked the juxtaposition with the bridesmaids sitting on the bench to the left of the bride standing up. I also liked the expressions and gesture of the bridesmaids. It was just before sunset and it looked like they were tired from a long day of shooting. There was something authentic about it, as opposed to the cliche look of wedding photos in Eastern Europe. So I captured this shot and kept on walking towards the square.

Stats:

  • Aperture: f/2.8
  • Shutter Speed: 1/500
  • ISO: 400
  • Focal Length: 27mm

7 First Impressions of Lviv, Ukraine
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

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My time in Ukraine finished off at the western corner in Lviv. This is the city that most Ukrainians told me was their favorite. They told me about the coffee houses, themed restaurants and bars, the architecture, the culture and the special, old world charm some call “the Lviv Spirit.”

It’s one thing to hear about it, but it’s another to experience it and make your own impressions of the place. Experiencing a city through Street Photography can give its own perspective compared to just going as a tourist too.

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So here are my first impressions of Lviv, from my personal Street Photography perspective…

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Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week: “Backseat Blonde”

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Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken in Market Square in Lviv, Ukraine. This is the main square in Lviv, where all the action is centered. Coffee houses, restaurants, chocolate shops and more surround street performers and crowds of people enjoying this lively place. There’s also a popular trolley stop here that I was walking around just as the sun was setting below the walls of old buildings. I liked the sunlight on her blonde hair and there was something nice about the colors and tone of the scene, especially her through the trolley window. So I snapped the shot just as she looked at me, right before the trolley rode off.

Stats:

  • Aperture: f/5.6
  • Shutter Speed: 1/500
  • ISO: 400
  • Focal Length: 27mm