Snapshots from Belgrade
Finding nuance and a creative reset in the streets of Belgrade.
I’ve taken quite a few excursions since arriving in Warsaw, but most of those frames have lived exclusively on my hard drive. I tried—and largely failed—to keep up with Instagram, but between the time suck that is scheduling and the hollow engagement, it just didn’t feel worth the effort.
Instead, I’m leaning back into what worked with my Snapshots from Afar project. I want to share more than just “one-offs.” While those single shots will still surface from time to time, my goal now is to be more intentional. Whether I’m shooting with my trusty Fujifilm X-T200 or my iPhone, I want to show the full scope of what I’m seeing.
My recent trip to Belgrade was a perfect example of why this matters. I arrived with some serious preconceived notions. Some of those were confirmed, but—much like my time in Beijing—that confirmation came with a layer of nuance that built a much more accurate, complicated picture of the city.
I’ll admit, there are scenes I missed. If I had been even more intentional, I would have lingered longer in the markets, explored the Dorćol neighborhood more deeply, or captured the specific, smoky atmosphere of the kafanas.
Still, the vibrancy of life there was a creative reinvigoration. It was a necessary reset for my work and my perspective.
Below are a few galleries from the trip, organized by the themes that defined the experience for me.
Churches
Like any other European city or village, churches form the backbone of the surrounding area. They are focal points for communities, and the wealth and health of each house of worship can be a good socioeconomic indicator for the locality.
Sava Temple, the middle four photos, was consecrated in 2004. It took nearly seventy years to complete after starting in 1935, with the Hagia Sofia serving as inspiration.
The Streets of Belgrade
Can you spot the cat? I did my best to snap a photo of it while it was snacking, but, ever vigilant, it spotted me and stayed relatively hidden.
River Views
What do Microsoft, Xiaomi, and NIS all have in common? They’ve got their names plastered on adjacent buildings along the Sava in New Belgrade. A sort of microcosm of globalization and its impact on the Serbian capital. Also, have a look at the glass-covered building going up on the old city side of the river. Locals called it Dubai in Belgrade. And it’s destroying the lovely, picturesque views of the Stari Grad.
More articles from Belgrade:
These galleries represent a shift for me—moving away from the 'scroll' and toward a more intentional way of seeing.
I’d love to know: Which of these themes resonated with you most? Or, if you’ve been to Belgrade, what was a 'layer' of the city that surprised you?
Let’s talk in the comments.
The very first photo of churches, is the church next to my elementary school.