Few days ago i've got a nice present - photo album "Chernobyl 1986",most of the photos taken by Ernests Repss who was one of the liquidators.
It was not legal to bring along cameras and similar equipment in liqudator camps - everything was controlled by government. Before mobilization to Chernobyl zone, he was an ordinary factory worker and in free time volunteered as a photographer in a museum. Probably his hobby and idea of 'valuable items' made him bring camera along to the zone.
He worked 140 days in the zone, in summer of 1986, mostly constructing works, building temporary village for Chernobyl liquidators called "Green horn"
These days there are only some remains of it:
http://wikimapia.o...b&search=chernobyl I quoted an interview with E.Repss, original source here:
https://www.youtub...atch?v=3l4O1riMiBg E.Repss tells:
"I hid my camera and film inside two bread loafs. It was wide-angle camera Zorkij."
He took photos illegaly for 40 days,somehow he got close to the Reactor. One day he got caught by his commander. He asked him questions "how did you get the camera inside camp? How much films do you have? How many photos have you developed? How do you dare!"
Then their conversation was interrupteed by another commander who proved he has good photos. First commander changed his position and said : "Well you have already taken lots of photos. Do me a favor. Make for us copies and you'll get medal.Then we can send you to Kiev and back home."
Repss says: "I was thrilled"
He strongly regrets that photo book got published only 27 years after accident.
He says: "So many people in these photos won't recognize themselves because they're already dead"
He dedicates book for "our mothers,families and all liquidators. There were 6000 of us from Latvian SSR. Also i dedicate this book for youngsters who are interested in Chernobyl accident and accidents in general."
Journalist asked him: "Do you feel any consequences after working in Zone?"
Repss says: "I had to take 16 different pills per day. Now it's the same"
Insight of book:
This is where E.Repss developed his photos in liquidator camp.
This photo book is in three languages: Latvian,English and Russian.
Published in 2013
Publisher: Zvaigzne ABC