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  4. A photographer spent 3 months following commuters on the Moscow Metro to see what life is really like in the capital of Russia

A photographer spent 3 months following commuters on the Moscow Metro to see what life is really like in the capital of Russia

The Moscow Metro opened in 1935, making it one of the oldest metro systems in the world.

A photographer spent 3 months following commuters on the Moscow Metro to see what life is really like in the capital of Russia

The system comprises 214 stations around Moscow and other towns in the region.

The system comprises 214 stations around Moscow and other towns in the region.

Source: Moscow Metro

More than 9 million passengers take the metro every weekday.

More than 9 million passengers take the metro every weekday.

Source: Moscow Metro

"The first time I entered one of the metro stations in Moscow, I was immediately captured by its magic," Ifrah wrote in an article on Lens Culture.

"The first time I entered one of the metro stations in Moscow, I was immediately captured by its magic," Ifrah wrote in an article on Lens Culture.

Source: Lens Culture

A single ride on the metro costs between $0.63 and $0.98.

A single ride on the metro costs between $0.63 and $0.98.

According to City Metric, the Moscow Metro is the fifth-busiest metro system in the world.

According to City Metric, the Moscow Metro is the fifth-busiest metro system in the world.

Source: City Metric

It's the busiest outside of Asia.

It

Source: City Metric

"The artfully designed stations, many first built in the 1930s, are filled with soft, warm light," Ifrah wrote on Lens Culture.

"The artfully designed stations, many first built in the 1930s, are filled with soft, warm light," Ifrah wrote on Lens Culture.

Source: Lens Culture

The metro was considered a feat of Soviet engineering when it first opened.

The metro was considered a feat of Soviet engineering when it first opened.

Many of the Moscow Metro stations have grand arching hallways and elaborate decorations.

Many of the Moscow Metro stations have grand arching hallways and elaborate decorations.

The Calvert Journal called the system "a tourist attraction in its own right."

The Calvert Journal called the system "a tourist attraction in its own right."

And Rough Guides called it "a walking museum of Communist design."

And Rough Guides called it "a walking museum of Communist design."

Source: Rough Guides

Ifrah's pictures suggest a "cinematic otherworldly dreamscape," Don't Take Pictures wrote.

Ifrah

Almost all of the Moscow Metro's stations are underground, but a small handful emerge to ground level.

Almost all of the Moscow Metro

Source: Urban Rail

Moscow's temperatures often dip into single digits in the winter, so you'll often see passengers bundled up in fur coats.

Moscow

The Moscow Metro system collectively has more than 40 miles of escalators.

The Moscow Metro system collectively has more than 40 miles of escalators.

Some of Moscow's stations are among the deepest underground in the world.

Some of Moscow

Ifrah told Don't Take Pictures that Moscow commuters don't talk much, and often the only sounds he heard were of footsteps and passing trains.

Ifrah told Don

"The subjects I find most interesting to photograph are mainly from everyday life —places that we all pass through, sometimes quickly and without noticing all the details," Ifrah said.

"The subjects I find most interesting to photograph are mainly from everyday life —places that we all pass through, sometimes quickly and without noticing all the details," Ifrah said.

Source: Lens Culture

Ifrah said the Moscow Metro is "one of the few places in the city which brings together people from all parts of the society."

Ifrah said the Moscow Metro is "one of the few places in the city which brings together people from all parts of the society."

Moscow traffic is notoriously bad. Driving to work often takes an hour or more, which helps explain the high metro ridership.

Moscow traffic is notoriously bad. Driving to work often takes an hour or more, which helps explain the high metro ridership.

"The visual aspect of the Moscow metro was very impressive—the light, people's style of dress, and the Soviet symbols that were everywhere," Ifrah said.

"The visual aspect of the Moscow metro was very impressive—the light, people

"In the harsh Russian winter, my eye was drawn to the distinctive, tactile clothing worn by men and women to ward off the cold," Ifreh said.

"In the harsh Russian winter, my eye was drawn to the distinctive, tactile clothing worn by men and women to ward off the cold," Ifreh said.

Source: Lens Culture

Ifrah said that the commuters' style of dress "reminded me of images of classic films and this is what I was trying to capture."

Ifrah said that the commuters

"The unbelievable pace, the unique sound, and the atmosphere of the stations fascinated me."

"The unbelievable pace, the unique sound, and the atmosphere of the stations fascinated me."

"I find no bigger challenge and reward than to capture a photograph that is meaningful to me from such seemingly ordinary moments."

"I find no bigger challenge and reward than to capture a photograph that is meaningful to me from such seemingly ordinary moments."

Source: Lens Culture

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