2015 Photo Contest, Contemporary Issues

Jon and Alex

Photographer

Mads Nissen

Berlingske/Scanpix

18 May, 2014

Jon, 21, and Alex, 25 are a couple. Being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) is becoming more and more difficult in Russia.

About the photographer

Mads Nissen

Mads Nissen (b. 1979) is a photographer based in Copenhagen, Denmark.    For Nissen, photography is all about empathy - creating understanding and intimacy while conf...

Background story

Jon and Alex, a gay couple, share an intimate moment at Alex’s home, a small apartment in St Petersburg, Russia. Life for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is becoming increasingly difficult in Russia. Sexual minorities face legal and social discrimination, harassment, and even violent hate-crime attacks from conservative religious and nationalistic groups.

Technical information

Shutter Speed
1/200
Focal length
35.0 mm
F-Stop
2.2
ISO
1600
Camera
Canon EOS 5D Mark III

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