#BlueSkyArtShow theme this week is #window.
Hotel Palmyra. Its storied halls once hosted german emperor Wilhelm II. Ivan Bunin wrote "The Temple of the Sun" and "Cain" poems within these walls. Captured on my pre-war Leica III. #film #Baalbek
Destroyed in an Israeli airstrike last November,

#Baalbek, #Lebanon —a sanctuary of life since the dawn of Middle Eastern civilization. Once home to Baal’s worship and later Romanized as Heliopolis, it served as an oracle site for emperors like Trajan. Ancient echoes in every stone. #infrared #590nm #MiddleEast

Resistance Museum in the mountains near Mlita—an intense open-air installation blending history, foggy evenings, and cold steel. A powerful reminder of contested narratives, I’d love to ask the curator a few questions , but I doubt he speaks English #irchrome #aerochrome #Lebanon #MiddleEast

#contemporaryart in the mountains near Mlita, 50 km from the Lebanon-Palestine border. An open-air installation marking Lebanon’s liberation, featuring pieces like the twisted "Merkava" tank—a striking symbol of #resistance. #irchrome #aerochrome #Lebanon #infraredphotography

Lebanon’s spring evening near Mlita, where mountains glow in surreal #irchrome hues. The ancient land tells stories of resilience and beauty. #aerochrome #Lebanon #infraredphotography #MiddleEast

Reimagined Roman baths in Sidon—where ancient stones meet contemporary art. A fusion of history and creativity that feels both timeless and refreshing. #infrared #590nm #Sidon #Lebanon #MiddleEastPhoto

#Sidon, or Saida, means "fishing" in Arabic—a legacy alive in its streets, markets, and waterfront. From fish stalls to ancient ruins, the city's layers blend history and daily life with a unique charm. #infrared #590nm #Lebanon #urbanphotography #MiddleEast

I reign as king of kings, Assargadon!
Hear, rulers of the earth: your doom is near!
Scarce crowned, Sidon dared rise against my throne—
I crushed its walls and drowned its stones in sea

V. Brjusov, from Russian silver age poem "Assargadon".

#Beirut National Museum, once a frontline during the civil war, hides tales of heroism. Artifacts were encased in concrete for protection, while others were lost to looters. Restored by 2016, it now stands as a testament to resilience. #infrared #590nm #infraredphoto #MiddleEast

#Beirut government district, restored and fortified, contrasts starkly with ruins of the historic center. Military checkpoints replace traffic posts, and church bells mix with mosque calls. A city of resilience and contrasts. #infrared #590nm #MiddleEast #urbanphotography

#Beirut is a city of contrasts: a European-style metropolis with a charming old center, coastal views, and skyscrapers. Yet, scars of war linger—bullet-riddled buildings, abandoned cranes, and luxury cars parked beside ruins. Resilience thrives amidst chaos. #irchrome

Before #Beirut, I knew little of modern #Lebanon —just its place on the map and the devastating port explosion. Seeing it firsthand was both #shocking and humbling. A city scarred yet alive, with resilience etched into every corner. This frame captures that duality. #irchrome

A towering figure of steel salvaged from #Beirut shattered port, *The Gesture* stands as both a tribute and a scar. A flower extended to the city, it symbolizes resilience amidst grief. Yet, its presence stirs debate—can art heal when justice remains absent? The wounds of August 4, 2020. #infrared

My name is Sandro, and I no longer want to be a pirate. I'm a documentary photographer, archaeologist, and art historian. Born in the USSR, living in St. Petersburg, studied, worked, blah-blah...
Since 2018, I’ve focused on infrared photography and lead an Arts & AI lab at EUSP university

Starting my Bluesky with a story of Beirut to Damascus: my longest, hardest story. Two weeks in stunning yet tragic places, endless beauty shadowed by war and instability. At Raouche’s Pigeon Rocks, overcast skies forced #irchrome shots—until sunlight broke through for one magical #590nm IR frame