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Best of Russia 2012 is an acclaimed photo-contest held in Russia annually. This year it marks its 5th anniversary. // Reindeer-breeders on the frozen Poluy river, Yamalo-Nenetsky Region.
Igor Stomakhin, Best of Russia 2012
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All the photos in this gallery are from the "Events and every-day life" section of the contest. Other categories are: "Style", "People". "Nature" and "Architecture." // Floods in Kotlas, Arkhangelsk Region
Yuri Zhukov, Best of Russia 2012
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The jury called to judge the submissions consists of professional photographers, collectors and celebrities. // On the eve of Cosmonaut's Day, a municipal worker cleans a monument dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, Moscow
Vasiliy Maximov, Best of Russia 2012
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People from all over Russia, both professionals and amateur photographers, participate in the contest. The only restriction concerns time: the photos need to have been taken within the past year. // Fans in Voronezh
Konstantin Tolkonnikov, Best of Russia 2012
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Every year the winners' works are shown at the Winzavod Art Centre in Moscow // Bishop Seraphim in the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, Krasnoyarsk
Alexander Paniotov, Best of Russia 2012
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In the "Events and everyday life" section there are numerous pictures taken by the photographers whilst on the holidays or at other big gatherings. For amateur photographers this is the best context in which to find unusual faces or situations to shoot… // Police at a demonstration against irregularities during the parliamentary elections
Dmitry Zakharov, Best of Russia 2012
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… or at least take a picture of the crowd - it looks impressive in any case // The opening ceremony of the bridge across Zolotoi Rog bay, Vladivostok
Anton Novgorodov, Best of Russia 2012
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Not surprisingly, this year many pictures had the Russian protest movement as a subject // Police after the arrest of a Greenpeace activist dressed in a polar bear costume, Moscow
Mikhail Djaparidze, Best of Russia 2012
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Even in this case two main angles are usually prefer by the artists: a group of people… // Procession, Moscow Kremlin
Albert Sinitskiy, Best of Russia 2012
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… or a single hero (at times filled with sentimental overtones) // The March of Millions on the 6th of May, through the looking glass, Moscow
Mikhail Grebenshchikov, Best of Russia 2012
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At times a photographer is able to capture a moment so intense and dramatic to seem unreal. // After the opposition meeting "For fair elections", Moscow
Artem Jitenev, Best of Russia 2012
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Another popular theme among the awarded photos was the aftermath of the floods that destroyed Krymsk and other towns in the Krasnodar region last July// From the "Krymsk Witnesses" series
Kirill Ovchinnikov, Best of Russia 2012
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Current issues and hot topics are a major source of inspiration for many photographers. Immigration and the life of migrant workers in Russia was another topic of interest among the contestants // Building site at Pulkovo airport, Saint-Petersburg
Valentin Egorshin, Best of Russia 2012
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Photos of people with disabilities and others inspirational figures who overcame difficulties and deprivations are another recurrent theme// The backstage of the international beauty contest "Couture without borders," Moscow
Alexey Smirnov, Best of Russia 2012
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Philosophical motives and allegories of loneliness are abandonment are another traditional subject // Seeking for water, Bryansk Region
Svetlana Tarasova, Best of Russia'2012
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And the last but not least - the connection between past, present and future. // The reburial of the Sinyavinskie Heights unknown soldiers, Saint-Petersburg Region
Alexey Loshchilov, Best of Russia 2012
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Despite the similarity of themes and approaches which can sometimes appear a bit pessimistic, Best of Russia remains the best example of a national contest showcasing the Russian outlook on life and their country. // "Life goes on…" - flea market at Vorobievi Gori, Moscow
Anatoly Strunin, Best of Russia 2012
