The old stone bridge of Berat Photo

Photographer’s Note

Having just returned from a journey through western Balkans I am completely bewildered: so many pictures, which one should I post first?

This is from Berat, a town in central Albania classified by the UNESCO as a world heritage. Its history goes back to the 3rd century B.C. and the town has been controlled by the Illyrians, the Byzantine empire, Bulgarians, Serbs and Ottomans. The old parts of the town were preserved as a living museum by the Communist regime. The bridge on this picture was built in 1780.

Actually, starting with this picture makes me feel slightly dishonest. This is Albania as it is supposed to look - poor and traditional. What I realized on this journey is that Albania is probably the most rapidly changing country in Europe and has developed and modernized beyond belief in the past 5-6 years. Although still among the poorest in Europe, Albania is certainly nowadays a perfectly "normal" country where every aspect of modern Western life can be found.

Kielia, fanni, saxo042, BeBeHooker, mafegan, Vasa, ellelloo trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Kielia (8691) 2009-09-27 12:40

Hej Gert,
a very fascinating image with a magic atmosphere, very thoroughly composed. The POV works very well. But it is the note - that is food for contemplations - that makes this impression very worthwhile. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

COSTANTINO (23111) 2009-09-27 13:29

Hello
Thanks for sharing this simple and natural scene of the nature with the architectural details very well composed.Pov is well done and this shot also is well done and well seen,compliments
Costantino

Glint (3052) 2009-09-27 14:27

Hello Gert,
nice to see you back and with more interesting pictures. I read your note about feeling dishonest about this one. But you shouldn't, if this man and this donkey did not exist then you couldn't take the picture! Its interesting because despite rapid modernisation these senes still exist.
Bev

jasmis (50901) 2009-09-27 21:55

Interesting and a little bit exotic photo. Smart note, as well.
Regards.

emka (22177) 2009-09-27 23:30

Hi Gert, welcome after holidays. I was wondering where you went this time. albania - it seems to me very exotic place, the place where not many went. nice view of the donkey . Indeed, I imagine Albania like this.

Have a nice week.

Malgorzata

fanni (8811) 2009-09-28 0:52

Hej Gert,
welcome back from your trip! :)
For some curious reason, each time I hear "Albania" I remember the movie "Wag the Dog"!

It is an interesting capture, and I like this composition: every detail is important. And I wonder if the man posed for you while walking by? :)

One more thought, concerning the Note which is, obviously, food for thought - as well as the image itself: of course life goes on, and such men with donkeys may disappear pretty soon - which is both good and bad, but, perhaps, more bad than good - because modern civilization is often destructive, and people become dissociated from Nature and from traditions.

Wishing you a nice week!
Kind regards,
Elena
PS. The question of "which photo to post" is often too difficult to decide, especially if it is the first to be posted after a trip :)

agjika (271) 2009-09-28 1:26

Hi Gert,

Great caption and note. As you say even though Albania is developing very fast it is still quite easy to witness scenes like this one. I can also understand the "bewilderment" Albania can be described as the photographers' paradise.

Looking forward to see you other pics from the Balkans

Regards

Aleks

saxo042 (16182) 2009-09-28 1:27

Hej Gert,
Good to se you back, with new pictures! I can se many good reasons to start with this one! This is a combination of many things; interesting human presence, beautiful architecture, a fine landscape in the background. This photo is also well composed with clear leading lines. It seems it was a day without any sunshine, so it was probably wise of you to exclude the cloudy sky completely. Interesting note too!
Hälsningar
Gunnar

BeBeHooker (5990) 2009-09-28 1:31

Hi Gert!
Very interesting scene, wonderful man with donkey, nice light and colors. Excellent bridge. Good take.
Cheers!

nirvana73 (8826) 2009-09-28 1:39

Hello Gert
good compositiom
i like architecture
good timing
thanks fro sharing
best regards
Ozhan

mafegan (4429) 2009-09-28 4:53

Hi Gert
Welcome back.
From the thumbnail the content of this photo appeared as though it was one of your a slides from the past. However once I had clicked on it and read your notes all was revealed. Sharpness and composition are excellent. Will be interesting to see your next postings of less tradional subject matter. Tfs, Marlene

molla (6891) 2009-10-01 0:59

Hej Gert

It's pretty amazing that there still are buildings that haven't been destroyed by some ethnic minority that wasn't build by them self. as in kosov.
There's very little written about Albania in the last couple of years
last we heard about them was all the boat refugees that came over
to Italy and everybody was shouting in the air but that was decades ago.
It's a nice picture of this mule and his owner, I always found exiting
that those farmer always wearing shirts and suit or jackets.

Anders

Vasa (6170) 2009-10-03 1:15

Lovely subject Gert and romantic bridge. One more idea about Albania. Many thanks friend,

Branko

ellelloo (4923) 2009-10-19 22:43

Hej Gert,
A good capture of the traditional daily life of Albania,
which apparently is going to disappear soon according to your good and informative note. Excellent POV and composition. No need to feel dishonest. You have documented a scene and life, which still exists there. :-)
Hälsningar,
Lasse