North of Somewhere 🇺🇦💙📖📸⚛️
LightNews LightNews
banner
esther.bs.k4zka.online
North of Somewhere 🇺🇦💙📖📸⚛️
@esther.bs.k4zka.online
72 followers 45 following 160 posts
Still suspicious of Bluesky, but PDS calms my paranoia 👀
Ukrainian American. Liberal. Biochemist. Film camera & book addict. Atheist. 🏳️‍⚧️ Ally
Love hiking, forests & wild nature
Enthusiastic & mediocre
📍MN
✍️English, Ukrainian or Yiddish only, please
Posts Replies Media Videos
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Still there

#Pentax KX | #Ilford HP5+ @400 | Rodinal 1+25
📍Hutchinson, #Minnesota

#FilmPhotography #AnalogPhotography #35mmFilm #BlackAndWhitePhotography #BlackAndWhite #BW #photo #photography #LowLight #WildlifePhotography #Deer #WildLife #BelieveInFilm #ShootFilm #Nature #Animals
A dark, grainy black-and-white photograph of a deer standing partially hidden in dense forest shadows. Only the outline of antlers, face, and faint highlights of the eyes are visible, blending into branches and foliage. A bright vertical light leak appears along the right edge of the frame, emphasizing the contrast between concealment and exposure
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Chattanooga Choo Choo

#Pentax KX | #Ilford HP5+ | Rodinal 1+25
📍 #Tennessee , fall 2025

#FilmPhotography #AnalogPhotography #35mmFilm #BlackAndWhitePhotography #photography #photo #Urban #BW
#Chattanooga #AmericanSouth
#BelieveInFilm #ShootFilm #FilmIsNotDead
Black-and-white photograph of a wide city street with low brick warehouse buildings. A large rooftop sign reading “WAREHOUSE ROW” rises above the buildings in the distance. The street is mostly empty, with a few cars, sidewalks, trees lining the road, and a quiet urban atmosphere Black-and-white photograph of a corner brick building with rounded architecture and large windows. A sign reading “Pickle Barrel” is visible at street level. Trees line the sidewalk, a few people are seated outside in the distance, and the scene feels calm and understated in an urban neighborhood
December 13, 2025 at 4:14 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
See? Not as bad :)
The funny part about -40°F is that I learned it while preparing for a dog-sledding camping trip to the Boundary Waters and that temperature happened just five days before our trip 🤭
Two bundled-up people stand on a frozen, snow-covered lake with a dog sled. Several huskies in harnesses wait in the foreground, their backs turned to the camera. The people wear heavy winter clothing, face coverings, and gloves, preparing gear on the sled. A forest of bare winter trees lines the background under cold, clear light
December 13, 2025 at 3:05 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
As a Ukrainian-Jewish American atheist, I can celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas without belief, but not without meaning. Proudly cherry-picking the best parts of every world 🤭

Mamiya C220 · #Ilford Delta 3200

#FilmPhotography #ShootFilm #BelieveInFilm #BlackAndWhite #Winter #Photography #Photo #BW
Black-and-white photo of a quiet window corner inside a home. Sheer curtains frame a winter view outside. On the windowsill sits a small menorah and a potted plant. A hanging plant is centered in front of the window. To the right, a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments is partially visible. The scene feels calm, domestic, and contemplative
December 13, 2025 at 2:53 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Portrait of a son
Mamiya C220 | Ilford Delta 3200 |Rodinal 1+25

#FridayFavourites

#FilmPhotography #Ilford3200 #Ilford #BlackAndWhite #BlackAndWhitePortrait #AnalogPhotography #BelieveInFilm #Portrait #FilmIsNotDead #Grain #Music #BW #Photo #Photography
December 12, 2025 at 3:10 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Stopped by the Maplewood mall yesterday and it looked even more like a zombie-movie set than before. Several big stores are gone, but in their place popped up endless little shops with fake Labubas and Pokémon. Labuba is what’s holding the US economy together 🙃
#FilmPhotography #Labubu
A close-up black and white film photograph of a small plush keychain doll hanging from a bag strap. The doll wears a ribbed knit hat, a patterned scarf, and overalls with a tiny patch. The background is blurred, giving the image a soft, moody feel
December 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Iran basically discovered a subscription model: grab a woman, stage outrage, get Western donations. Yes, I’m glad she survived, but white savior charity doesn’t challenge the machine that keeps producing victims 🤷‍♀️
#Iran #Theocracy #Politics #HumanRights #Women #WomenRights #Oppression #Equality
A screenshot of a Guardian news article titled “Child bride spared execution in Iran after blood money is paid.” The subheading says that the Guardian helped draw attention to the planned hanging of Goli Kouhkan over the death of her abusive husband. The illustration shows a young bride in a white dress holding flowers, her face partially obscured by a veil. Behind her is a dark, distressed background with multiple red nooses lined up in a row. The photo credit notes that at least 42 women have been executed in Iran this year, 18 for killing their husbands. The article is written by Sarah Johnson and dated Thursday, 11 December 2025 at 07:48 EST
December 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Started Backman’s My Friends. Same emotional rollercoaster as always, but this time he erased every hint of place or time in an attempt to make the story universal. The result feels more like emotional IKEA furniture - functional, familiar, and very flat. Still good for bedtime reading
#booksky
A tablet lies on a green quilt and a brown knitted blanket, displaying the cover of Fredrik Backman’s novel “My Friends.” Behind it is a cream-colored textured pillow with tassels, creating a cozy reading setting.
December 9, 2025 at 5:41 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
My first not-so-successful attempt with the Mamiya C220. I somehow managed to mess up the roll while shooting and scratch it after developing 🤭 probably I need to replace the light seals and spend a bit more time getting to know camera. But honestly, I’m happy as a clam anyway :)

#BelieveInFilm
A black and white film photograph of a small bouquet of delicate dried flowers placed inside a 250-ml Erlenmeyer flask used as a vase. The flask stands on a table with soft, blurred objects around it, while the background glows with out-of-focus lights and gentle haze, giving the image a dreamy, atmospheric feel.
December 6, 2025 at 1:30 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Outside is December gloom, inside is boredom, and I still don’t know what to photograph for the test roll for my new camera. The 120 mm reel is almost done printing though, so inspiration has about ten minutes to appear :)

#BelieveInFilm #FilmIsNotDead
A 3D printer in the middle of printing a 120 mm film reel. The reel is partially finished, with visible layers forming the spiral shape. The printer sits on a desk next to a laptop, cables, and small tools. The lighting is warm and the scene looks like a cozy home workspace
December 5, 2025 at 9:28 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Meeting a guy tomorrow to pick up another camera. I keep telling myself this will be the last one for a while. Unfortunately, I’m very good at lying to myself. But hey, at least I’m consistent

#FilmPhotography #ShootFilm #FilmIsNotDead #BelieveInFilm
Close-up photo of a vintage Mamiya C220 medium format twin-lens reflex camera with two Mamiya-Sekor 80mm lenses. The camera is shown upright on a wooden table. The text on the camera is in English.
December 5, 2025 at 2:56 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Reading Lesya Ukrainka’s essays tonight. There’s something fascinating about arguing in my head with a brilliant woman who lived more than a century before I was even born. Time collapses a little when the mind on the page is sharper than most voices around you
An iPad lying on a dark quilted surface displays a Ukrainian-language title page of Lesya Ukrainka’s “Complete Academic Collection of Works, Volume 7,” featuring her literary-critical and journalistic essays
December 2, 2025 at 5:21 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Only immigrants drag their whole ‘world’ with them - boxes, books, and traumatized plants, because nothing is ever permanent, so you just rebuild your life out of whatever survived the trip
Photo: Winnipeg, Canada, Ukrainian cemetery, 🎞️ Fuji 200 📷 elan 7e
Film photo of Ukrainian cemetery in Winnipeg, Canada
November 29, 2025 at 4:21 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Is it Thomas Dambo? I've seen his sculptures in Detroit Lakes. Where is the one from your photo located?
Film photo of Thomas Dambo’s troll sculpture in Detroit Lake
November 29, 2025 at 3:00 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Thank you, Senator. The Ukrainian community in Minnesota is lucky to have you as our legislator
Inside the Minnesota State Capitol, a crowd gathers in warm winter clothing. A person holds a large handmade sign that reads “STAND WITH UKRAINE.” In the background, people on the upper balcony display Ukrainian and American flags. The scene is lit by the Capitol’s warm yellow lights, giving the film photo a soft, nostalgic look
November 26, 2025 at 3:47 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Filled out the community survey for our local McMansion City.
They asked about walkability and bikeability… while our “sidewalks” look like this in March.
Bold move for a town where the only safe commute is by ark 🫣
Olympus FT 🎞️Fuji

#FilmPhotography #ShootFilm #AnalogPhotography #BelieveInFilm
November 18, 2025 at 3:40 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Nah, too lazy to drive back to the darker area. Just set my phone on time-lapse on a front yard and decided to enjoy it with my eyes :)
November 12, 2025 at 5:21 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Aurora showed up in Minnesota again. Worth every numb finger :)

#Minnesota #Aurora #NorthernLights #NightPhotography #onlyInMn #mn #photo #photography
Striped bands of green and red aurora stretch vertically over a lakeshore framed by trees. The grass and water below appear still, contrasting with the vibrant, shifting sky above. Bare tree branches stretch across a sky glowing deep red and orange from the aurora borealis, with hints of green at the edges. Red and green aurora curtains ripple above a calm Minnesota lake at night. A thin tree leans toward the glowing horizon, while faint lights from distant houses reflect softly on the water powerful burst of red, orange, and green aurora fans out across the entire sky above tall trees. The colors swirl together like a living nebula, filling the scene with energy and motion.
November 12, 2025 at 4:30 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Finished Autocracy, Inc. by @anneapplebaum.bsky.social Her faith in Russian “liberals” is almost cute. Still, she sees reality and tries to act. My hope in her success is probably as naïve as her belief that there’s such a thing as a Russian unspoiled by corruption or empire 🤭

#books #booksky
Cover of Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World by Anne Applebaum. The design shows a dark blue world map with the title and author’s name in bold white uppercase letters. Below the title, it notes she is a Pulitzer Prize winner. The audiobook listing underneath shows its length (4 h 48 m), tags “21st Century,” “Fascism,” “Geopolitics,” and a 4.7-star rating from 815 reviews.
November 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Got 2 boxes with 12 bottles of House of the Dragon for $39 a box. Winter may be coming, but I’m clearly prepared 😆. Apparently, even Targaryens couldn’t escape inflation, though at $3 a dragon, I’d call it a victorious alliance 🥂❄️
A close-up of a House of the Dragon 2021 Pinot Noir bottle from Oregon, held in a hand. The matte black label features a golden three-headed dragon emblem, catching the light against a neutral indoor background. A House of the Dragon 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon bottle from California, held in a hand. The deep red label with a golden dragon sigil stands out against a soft brown background, creating a warm, fantasy-inspired mood.
November 2, 2025 at 7:57 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
On Artist’s Point I always feel a bit sad that I can’t draw, it’s such a perfect place for a sketchbook 😍

📷 Canon elan 7e| Fuji 200, developed in Cinestill
Film photo of a view of a white building with red roofs near the water in Grand Marais, Minnesota, captured at sunset. The light reflects softly on the calm water dotted with dark rocks, with a faint mist over the distant hills and a pastel sky above.
November 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Summer memories

📷 Canon Elan 7e | 🎞️ Fuji 200 (developed in Cinestill)

#FilmPhotography #AnalogPhotography #35mmFilm #Fuji200 #CanonElan7e #Canon #Fujifilm #Photography #Nature #GoldenHour #AnalogVibes #FilmIsNotDead #ShootFilm #BelieveInFilm #Photo #EverydayBeauty #FilmCommunity #Sunset
Close-up of tall sunlit prairie grass glowing in soft golden light at sunrise or sunset. The background is blurred and warm, giving the image a dreamy, nostalgic mood. Wildflowers and dried seed heads illuminated by the setting sun in a golden field. The warm light filters through petals and stems, creating a soft, hazy atmosphere of late summer.
October 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Cardinal feeding season

📷 Canon R6

#Cardinal #NorthernCardinal #BirdPhotography #Wildlife #Nature #FeederBirds #CanonR6 #BackyardBirds #BirdWatching #WinterBirds #Birds #Photography #PhotoOfTheDay #BirdLovers #NaturePhotography #WildlifePhotography
A female Northern Cardinal with soft brown and red plumage perched on the edge of a wooden bird feeder, surrounded by scattered seeds. Her orange beak and subtle crest stand out against the blurred beige background. A bright red male Northern Cardinal sitting in a wooden bird feeder, his feathers glowing vividly against a green, softly blurred background.
October 31, 2025 at 2:49 AM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
We bought tiny pond fish in summer, now they’ve tripled in size and relocated to fishtank for the winter. One squatter bullfrog was relocated to the nearby stream too :)

📷 Canon R6
#Photo #Photography #Fish #Goldfish #Nature #Funny #Home #Story #Life #Aquarium #Animals
Two bright orange goldfish swimming close together in clear greenish-blue water, with long green aquatic leaves softly blurred in the background. One fish faces downward while the other seems to nudge it gently, creating a peaceful and slightly playful scene
October 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
esther.bs.k4zka.online
Somewhere in the Smokies, pretending it’s all wilderness and not a parking lot just behind me

📷 Canon R6
📍 Tennessee

#Photo #Photography #Nature #Mountains #FallColors #Landscape #Travel #Hiking #Outdoors #CanonR6 #Smokies #NationalPark #Fog #Wilderness #Scenery #Forest #Tennessee
A misty mountain scene in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during autumn. Red and green foliage fills the foreground, with tree-covered hills fading into fog and clouds above. The photo feels peaceful, though the area was actually crowded with tourists.
October 29, 2025 at 7:49 PM