Woman Portrait Gallery #4 — May 2026
Alex Sokolov
“Noirnor”
Gregor: How did your photo “Noirnor” come about?
Alex: It’s an analogue photo. When I take photos, I like to use analogue cameras, and I experiment with different methods and equipment.
When you take photos with a cell phone, you can take an infinite number of pictures — but with film, every shot is an investment of money and patience. So I take my time, set up the scene, and focus on the work. And from this dedication emerges a meaning that’s then captured in the image. And I like the aesthetics that arise by chance in analogue photography. The reddish light leaks here weren’t planned — I used expired film and deliberately chose the “wrong” settings on the camera. That way, chance had a chance.
Gregor: Who is the woman in the photo?
Alex: A friend of mine. She’s a DJ and comes from Ukraine. To me, she represents what the photo is all about: people who come to Berlin, live here as artists, and try to build a new life here. I photographed her against the backdrop of Berlin, with the iconic TV tower.
Berlin is called an expat city. People from all countries, cultures, and backgrounds come together here. Everyone brings their own experiences, everyone has their own vision. And they’re on their own and have to cope with similar challenges. Many come to Berlin for the freedom. But this freedom requires mental stability. It demands discipline. You need friends; otherwise, the city will sweep you away. And so the expats organize themselves. They help each other; they work together. Like-minded people find each other.
I was born in Crimea, grew up in Moscow, and have been living in Berlin for eleven years. In that sense, I’m a typical representative of this group — a new environment, a new culture and some trouble on the way. And yet: I want to stay. Because I’ve made friends here.
Alex: It’s an analogue photo. When I take photos, I like to use analogue cameras, and I experiment with different methods and equipment.
When you take photos with a cell phone, you can take an infinite number of pictures — but with film, every shot is an investment of money and patience. So I take my time, set up the scene, and focus on the work. And from this dedication emerges a meaning that’s then captured in the image. And I like the aesthetics that arise by chance in analogue photography. The reddish light leaks here weren’t planned — I used expired film and deliberately chose the “wrong” settings on the camera. That way, chance had a chance.
Gregor: Who is the woman in the photo?
Alex: A friend of mine. She’s a DJ and comes from Ukraine. To me, she represents what the photo is all about: people who come to Berlin, live here as artists, and try to build a new life here. I photographed her against the backdrop of Berlin, with the iconic TV tower.
Berlin is called an expat city. People from all countries, cultures, and backgrounds come together here. Everyone brings their own experiences, everyone has their own vision. And they’re on their own and have to cope with similar challenges. Many come to Berlin for the freedom. But this freedom requires mental stability. It demands discipline. You need friends; otherwise, the city will sweep you away. And so the expats organize themselves. They help each other; they work together. Like-minded people find each other.
I was born in Crimea, grew up in Moscow, and have been living in Berlin for eleven years. In that sense, I’m a typical representative of this group — a new environment, a new culture and some trouble on the way. And yet: I want to stay. Because I’ve made friends here.