The 1,000-square-mile Chernobyl Exclusion Zone remains largely uninhabited to this day.
The 1,000-square-mile Chernobyl Exclusion Zone remains largely uninhabited to this day.
Courtesy David McMillan
Canadian photographer David McMillan first visited the city of Pripyat in 1994.
Canadian photographer David McMillan first visited the city of Pripyat in 1994.
Courtesy David McMillan
This initial trip resulted in a series of eerie images documenting derelict buildings.
This initial trip resulted in a series of eerie images documenting derelict buildings.
Courtesy David McMillan
McMillan has visited the region more than 20 times. 200 of his photos are being published in the forthcoming book, "Growth and Decay: Pripyat and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone."
McMillan has visited the region more than 20 times. 200 of his photos are being published in the forthcoming book, "Growth and Decay: Pripyat and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone."
Courtesy David McMillan
The images provide an astonishing look at a ghost city largely untouched since the disaster.
The images provide an astonishing look at a ghost city largely untouched since the disaster.
Courtesy David McMillan
Pripyat, in present-day Ukraine, was part of the Soviet Union at the time of the catastrophe in April 1986.
Pripyat, in present-day Ukraine, was part of the Soviet Union at the time of the catastrophe in April 1986.
Courtesy David McMillan
Some of McMillan's images feature portraits of people he encountered within the Exclusion Zone.
Some of McMillan's images feature portraits of people he encountered within the Exclusion Zone.
Courtesy David McMillan
Tourists are also an increasingly common sight, according to McMillan, who sometimes encounters buses on day trips from Ukraine's capital Kiev.
Tourists are also an increasingly common sight, according to McMillan, who sometimes encounters buses on day trips from Ukraine's capital Kiev.
Courtesy David McMillan
In some cases, McMillan photographed the same spot multiple times, over the course of many years, to highlight the deterioration of the built environment.
In some cases, McMillan photographed the same spot multiple times, over the course of many years, to highlight the deterioration of the built environment.
Courtesy David McMillan
As his book's title, "Growth and Decay," suggests, McMillan is concerned with both the retreat of humankind and the reappearance of nature.
As his book's title, "Growth and Decay," suggests, McMillan is concerned with both the retreat of humankind and the reappearance of nature.
Courtesy David McMillan
Landscapes in his photos, while bleak, feature blossoming plants and trees bursting through manmade structures.
Landscapes in his photos, while bleak, feature blossoming plants and trees bursting through manmade structures.
Courtesy David McMillan
"I guess it was heartening to see this kind of regrowth, and inevitable to see culture vanishing," said McMillan.
"I guess it was heartening to see this kind of regrowth, and inevitable to see culture vanishing," said McMillan.
Courtesy David McMillan
"In the schools, it felt like it would have if the students had just left for the afternoon," he said.
"In the schools, it felt like it would have if the students had just left for the afternoon," he said.
Courtesy David McMillan
"There were still teachers' record books, textbooks, student artwork and things like that."
"There were still teachers' record books, textbooks, student artwork and things like that."
Courtesy David McMillan
Photos of playgrounds and slides also provide pertinent symbols of time's passing. The children that once played there will now be in their thirties or forties.
Photos of playgrounds and slides also provide pertinent symbols of time's passing. The children that once played there will now be in their thirties or forties.
Courtesy David McMillan
The buildings thus served as time capsules, of sorts. Images showing faded portraits of Marx and Engels, or the bust of Lenin in an unkempt yard, capture a particular moment in political history.
The buildings thus served as time capsules, of sorts. Images showing faded portraits of Marx and Engels, or the bust of Lenin in an unkempt yard, capture a particular moment in political history.
Courtesy David McMillan