Capturing Moments
A Visual Journey Through Tashkent
More than just a dot on the map, Tashkent is a living tapestry woven with threads from the ancient Silk Road and alive with the vibrant energy of a modern metropolis. This photo story by Shakhodat Rakhmatbaeva invites you to peel back the layers of Uzbekistan’s captivating capital, where every corner reveals a unique blend of tradition and innovation.
Shakhodat Rakhmatbaeva, originally from Bukhara, took her first step as a professional photographer in 2017, when she travelled to England to attend a course at the London School of Photography. She had no camera of her own back then and had to borrow a friend’s. The experience was a revelation, teaching her to see the world in a new way, trust her intuition and follow her inspiration.
Pregnancy and motherhood led to an interest in family photography, which later developed into a passion for street photography. In the process, she learnt to capture the nuances of silence, movement and light, creating her own visual language.
Her vision of Tashkent is largely associated with Chorsu Bazaar, where she immerses herself in its polyphony, the play of light and the richness of flavours. This market is a dynamic theatre of form, colour and sound, pulsating with the rhythm of oriental culture. And the polythene awnings over the market rows cast soft shadows that yield unique photographs.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to photography. My childhood memories are like an old film with very few frames. The rarity of those snapshots taught me to appreciate every moment. For me, photography is a way to connect with the Creator, to stop time, to be in the here and now.”
“My Tashkent is a reflection of my inner world. It is the journey of an observer, the path of a soul looking for beauty in simple things. Through photos I want to say what I feel about this city: love, gratitude, mutual understanding.”
“Every photo is a letter. To the city. To memory. To life.”
