This man opted to withdraw from conventional society and live by himself in rural Russia. Photographer Danila Tkachenko recently photographed some people who live isolated in Russia and Ukraine.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
A gun sits on a hermit's "home" in Russia.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
A hermit in Russia covers his face.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
The hermits live in homes made of local resources -- lumber, burrows in the ground or caves -- and eat what they hunt or gather.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
A hermit's hands show two missing fingers.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
Occasionally the men see tourists, hunters or guests, but typically they are alone.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
One hermit's hut in Russia.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
Despite, or maybe because of their isolation, Tkachenko found that the men were open and talkative.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
A hermit's shelter in Russia.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
Tkachenko chose to shoot on film because it draws less attention and because some of the religious hermits do not like digital technology, he said.
Danila Tkachenko/Salt Images
Living alone in the wilderness —
Tkachenko spent a few days with each man before taking photos. "They are close to nature and live in harmony with it," he said. "For them, it is freedom."
