Vera Sytch's Posts
Using a printer dock to make new friends
As I glanced to my left, I saw a bent woman in a purple dress standing outside her door. I slammed on my brakes. My bicycle brakes, that is, because when in Ukraine, a bicycle is my main means of transportation on the bumpy, unpaved village roads.
I just had to have a picture of this woman. She was so... unique. Such a personification of the grueling toil of a villager's life in Ukraine. So I stepped out of my comfort zone, opened the gate to this woman's yard, and walked toward her.
I was in Ukraine with my family in August visiting my husband's relatives and others I had met on previous trips. I spotted the woman in purple while on my way to deliver photos that I'd taken earlier in the week and printed on my printer dock, which I brought with me to Ukraine. This printer dock works with all three of the Kodak cameras I brought with me - my P880 for its wide-angle lens, DX7590 for its telephoto capability, and my most recent acquisition, the pocket-sized V705.
I was thankful I had these pictures with me as I neared this stooped stranger. They would be my ice breaker.
"Do you know where any of these women live?" I asked, holding out a picture of four women sitting on a bench watching the world go by - a common activity in Ukrainian towns and villages. I had taken the picture on this street. "I'm delivering these prints to them."
I quickly followed with, "I'd like to take your picture, too. I'll bring you a print in a few days."
The woman hesitated, but eventually succumbed. I chatted with her briefly and snapped a few pictures with my P880 before I rode on to deliver the prints in hand.
When I returned to the hunched woman a few days later with prints, I saw the opportunity to take a more powerful portrait. 
Olya (I finally asked her her name) had been painting the interior of her house earlier in the day and was dressed in her most ragged clothing. She was delighted to receive the pictures and had no objections to be further photographed. In fact, as a 79-year-old widow who lives alone, she seemed delighted to have a visitor, someone who would listen as she talked of her day-to-day troubles. Even when I set up the small tripod I carry with me at all times (you just never know when you'll need it), Olya seemed oblivious to the fact that I was turning our chat into a portrait session. So many of the elderly folks that I visited in Ukraine reacted the same way: they were so overjoyed to have a visitor that I could take pictures at will as I listened more than I spoke.
The picture below, my favorite of the session, portrays the desolation of the elderly not only in Ukraine, but the world over. Although Olya was a stranger when I hesitantly approached her, I now have another friend whom I'll visit in future trips to Ukraine.
Comments
Posted By: Dubai Schools (10/6/2009)
Comment: It has been a great experience to follow your blog.
Posted By: website design (7/8/2009)
Comment: I really loved the pictures you posted. Specially the one in which she is sitting on her chair, looking lost in her memories.
Posted By: Vera (3/17/2009)
Comment: Mira, Olya gave me her permission to be photographed both times; I didn't just walk into the house and start taking pictures. Of course she's not a spectacle, but an interesting human being with whom I spent time talking, listening, and sharing.
Posted By: Mira Ukrainian (3/17/2009)
Comment: P.S. Did this women sign a contract with you for exploiting her image online?
Posted By: Mira Ukrainian (3/17/2009)
Comment: Patronizing and wrong. How would you like it if somebody you didn't know walked into your house and just started taking pictures of you as if you were a spectacle. NOT A CIRCUS BUT REAL LIFE FOR SOME PEOPLE.
Posted By: Vera (10/10/2007)
Comment: I'm sorry, J., that you had a bad experience with your printer dock. I have not had that experience; my printer dock is easy to use and the paper has never gotten stuck in it. I always fan the paper before loading it. I love the quality of the prints, the ease of use, and the fact that it's so portable. My brother also has a printer dock, and he's very pleased with his as well. I do suggest that you follow up with Ronald Baird to resolve the problem with your printer dock.
Posted By: Ronald Baird (10/10/2007)
Comment: Greetings, I can appreciate your story, Vera, I have had similar experiences but in Scotland. Thanks for sharing, very interesting. After reading your story, Vera, I reviewed the comments in the blog and came across the post by 'J' who apparently had a bad experience with a printer dock. Since I support them, I thought I might be able to help 'J' and felt compelled to comment. If you are out there 'J' let me know and I will be glad to review your experience with you. Things do go wrong on occasion and I am sure we have all had disappointments. Together we should be able to resolve your problem. Ron
Posted By: J. (10/9/2007)
Comment: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY BUYING A KODAK PRINTER DOCK! I DON'T JUST MEAN ONE MODEL EITHER I MEAN ANY OF THEM! They break down after about 14 months usage and then Kodak want's $80 "just to look at it!" I've found super bad reviews on walmart.com and amazon.com! Here's the link from amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B0001G6U7K/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful/103-0118450-9519842?ie=UTF8&n=502394#customerReviews DO NOT BUY ANY PRINTER DOCKS FROM KODAK!
Posted By: Mary Ann Kuntz (10/3/2007)
Comment: Vera, Your stories and images always touch my heart! Thank you!
Posted By: Deniz (9/27/2007)
Comment: Vera thank you for sharing your talent and experiences with us. The pictures you took are a piecve of art. My favorite is Olya's portrait.
Posted By: Constantin (9/25/2007)
Comment: I have got to get a new monitor, because these pictures deserve better than this dark old Viewsonic I use. Another powerful posting, Vera.
Posted By: Stewart Hecht (9/24/2007)
Comment: Vera, as usual some great pictures. I admire you for keeping with Kodak cameras to do the job. It's what I have always said, you don't need an expensive camera to take excellent pictures. It's the person behind the camera that performs the magic!
Posted By: meredith (9/24/2007)
Comment: We have not heard from you for a while. Now we know where you have been. You have beautifully photographed the Ukranian woman you meet and in doing so made us aware of the elderly people in our own lives. Thanks Vera
Posted By: Bette (9/23/2007)
Comment: Thank you for my first peek into the world of blogging- your photo blog was exciting (especially since it was a first!). From my perspective, you captured the essence of Olya in her present day and time, turning a photo op into a compassionate random act of kindness and conveying your respect for her as a person of strength and endurance. It made me wish for a series of shots following the phases of her life leading to the present.I'm sure your time and attention was very special and satisfying to her. God bless you!
Posted By: Deanna (9/23/2007)
Comment: Vera, what a wonderful piece! It's so important to reach out to each other, and you remind us of a great ice-breaker and friend-maker - pictures. And you make an excellent point. It's not just the poverty and loneliness of people in Ukraine, it's true all over the world, especially among the elderly who can't get around as easily as they used to and who have lost so many friends and relatives. It's true everywhere. Thank you!
Posted By: alexsandra (9/22/2007)
Comment: these pictures brought tears to my eyes. thank you for taking the time to be with Olya. thank you for touching my heart. thank you for these beautiful works of art, for these images which show us a woman's life and soul.
Posted By: cheri n (9/22/2007)
Comment: Another reason to check my mail...Has Vera posted another blog yet? Yeah!!! Great pictures. I can feel the heart of the woman on your photo. Isn't it great the way God knows when to send the right person in the direction of another? I see this lady as another human being who will remember her encounter with the camera girl.Both are blessed.Great blog. Again.
Posted By: Alexandra (9/22/2007)
Comment: Your favorite picture is really very beautiful. It truly shows Ukrainian widows and what they are like.
Posted By: DNS (9/22/2007)
Comment: I really enjoy your blogs and your beautiful pictures. They are wonderful! I always can't wait for you to write another blog.
Posted By: Vera (9/22/2007)
Comment: Thank you all for your kind comments. I want to respond especially to Lourog's comment about the "stark and lonely world" some elderly live in. I'd like to add that even in posh conditions, living alone can feel very stark and lonely. The best gift we can give the elderly is our time: a visit, a phone call, even a note. But I've also found that in giving my time during these visits, I receive so much in return.
Posted By: Susan Peck (9/22/2007)
Comment: A person's world is in good hands when you walk into it Vera. I'm always overcome by the sensitivity you show and your unique ability at capturing the heart and soul of people. The clarity and composition of the pictures is just astounding. Really nice job. Thanks for sharing! Fondly, Sue
Posted By: Toshi (9/22/2007)
Comment: Among all these great photos, I still think your photos with people in them are the greatest. You are so skillfull in capturing their expressions telling viewers their life story, hardships, poverty, fun in life, etc. I always enjoy them as they are powerfully complimenting your stories.
Posted By: Lourog (9/22/2007)
Comment: Wonderful set of photos! Your lesson taught of how the elderly starve for reconition in a stark and lonely world should remind those of us that are so fortunate to remember how little the human race cares about itself. This story without words spoken is beautiful, but a reminder of what could be a reflection of our own destiny. Thank You Lou G.
Posted By: Ray (9/21/2007)
Comment: Once again the realism of your blog has taken me someplace I've never been. After reading your story I can't help but think how much we take for granted....
Posted By: Judy S. (9/21/2007)
Comment: Wow! What a powerful story, conveyed beautifully in words and pictures. I love your respectful approach to your new friends, captured in these photos, and the dignity these new friends express.
Posted By: Anita H (9/21/2007)
Comment: Vera, Another powerful and wonderful glimpse into the lives of those you meet on your travels. Thank you for sharing these very personal tidbits. These are another reminder that we are blessed to bless others.
Posted By: Rita (9/20/2007)
Comment: I so appreciate the glimpses you give us into worlds we would otherwise never see -- and to see them through your eyes - to care about them through your heart. What a gift... Thanks! Rita
Posted By: Nic (9/20/2007)
Comment: Vera, love these! The pictures alone tell such a wonderful story. I'll be checkin in on this blog again soon.
Posted By: Cheri (9/20/2007)
Comment: More. More. More. I feel like I was there with you.
Posted By: Joe (9/20/2007)
Comment: This is really spectacular work Vera! As usual, you're able to capture the realism in a way that I've never seen in photographs. The detail is just amazing! Very nicely done Vera!
Posted By: Prakash Gopan V (9/20/2007)
Comment: the picture 'lookingOutDoor.jpg' is a WOW !!! Really Amazing... the utensils, her shoes, the window curtain, the paint brush... above all, her thoughtful gaze with those pictures in her hand... Wow...
Posted By: Nancy Heath (9/20/2007)
Comment: A lovely story and beautiful photgraphs. I see how lucky we are; my modest home looks like a mansion now! Thanks again Vera!
Posted By: Roman (9/20/2007)
Comment: Very nice post... brought back a lot of wonderful memories of my trips to Ukraine. Great photos!
Posted By: Joy (9/20/2007)
Comment: Great post, Vera. You have a knack for capturing human-interest stories in words and photos. Keep it up! I look forward to every entry.
Posted By: http:// (9/20/2007)
Comment: Vera, you are great at capturing human-interest stories. The pictures are insightful - your pictures are worth a 1000 words times 10. What an opportunity to use Kodak products for reaching out to others and gaining new friendships. Looking forward to your next blog.
Posted By: Ariadna Cheremeteff (9/20/2007)
Comment: I look forward to reading your entries in the Kodak 1000words blog. Each one makes me wish I was there experiencing those moments, becoming a part of the story. You are truly talented in your writing and photography!
Posted By: Andy (9/20/2007)
Comment: I have got to get a new monitor, because these pictures deserve better than this dark old Viewsonic I use. Another powerful posting, Vera.
Posted By: Auto Parts Jock (9/20/2007)
Comment: This has got to be one of the nicest blogs I've read. More like an account from a photojournalist with an Oprah twist. Loved it! Congratulations!