Natural frame for sweet little nothing Photo

Photographer’s Note

Among the greatest atractions of Florina Prefecture are two lakes on the Northwestern edge of the country. Mikri (little) Prespa and Megali (Great) Prespa, the "sister" lakes are known in Greece as "Prespes" and they probably are the two most important lakes of the whole Balkan Peninsula. Mikri Prespa is shared between Greece and Albania and Megali Prespa is shared between Greece, Former Yugoslavic Republic of Macedonia and Albania. After my last post from the town of Florina, where I wrote about the great Greek film director, Theo (or Theodoros) Angelopoulos, I decided to upload this one, because I think it reflects a little bit the "mood" in some of his films.

Photo taken at one of the less known villages of the Prespes region, called Mikrolimni (it means "small lake"). The lake is Mikri Prespa and the small island in the background is Vidronisi.

Some info about Prespes that I found in "www.menoumellada.ert.gr":

"Prespes are located in the Prefecture of Florina, western Macedonia. They are made up of two lakes, a smaller and a larger one, occupying a total area of 330 sq km. The lakes are separated by a thin strip of land, approximately 4km long, and along with Lakes Malik and Ohrid, they make up the Dassaretic basin. While Little Prespa belongs to Greece, apart from a very small part that belongs to Albania, Greater Prespa, which is also the largest lake of the Balkans, is shared by Greece, Albania and FYROM. Islet Agios Achileios is located within Little Prespa, where an organised settlement existed until the 18th century, while ruins of the Agios Achilieios church are still present. The value of the Prespa area was acknowledged a few years earlier, when in 1974 it was declared a National Park, since it constitutes a refuge for rare species of fauna and the last stop of many migrating birds. The area is also protected by the international Ramsar Treaty. A total of 1500 flora species, amphibians, fish, mammals and birds live in the Prespa wetlands, most of which are under extinction. A very important fact is that from the 14th to the 18th century, the area hosted many ascetics, whose presence is evidenced in Byzantine icons and inscriptions found in caves and rock formations south of the Greater Prespa.

Visitors can reach Prespes from Florina, via Pisoderio. An information centre is located in the nearby village Agios Germanos, where tourists can obtain information for tour guides."

portmanndominic, AyseGurel, dip, andante, Angelillo, bostankorkulugu, edytungkal, patdeph, TopGeo, clio, delkoo, vero07, stelli, rigoletto, steliosk, cunejo200, danos, doubay, teutza, Gerrit, Emile, thor68, gurselerdener, Emiel_Skyfreak, coco, enedimd trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

genepy (312) 2007-12-18 10:21

Une bien belle ambiance et un beau noir et blanc que l'on pourrait croire tiré d'un bon vieux polar.

AyseGurel (536) 2007-12-18 10:41

Hello,
B&W is a good choice for that dreamy shot..trees at two side are like curtain which opens to infinity..
TFS
ayse

portmanndominic (2388) 2007-12-18 10:43

Hercule Kalispéra , kali orexi also

thank to you to present a other version of Greece , Greece of the moutains ,inside
Greece ;-)
Your POV is good , good choice BW
TFS
filika
Dominic

ARGI (3418) 2007-12-18 11:00

kalispera Hraklh
Panemorfi syn8esi kai kadrarisma. H simeiwsi kai o titlos katapliktika.
Mia yperoxi doulia.
Sygxaritiria
Xairetw Argyris

dip (12792) 2007-12-18 11:07

Geia sou Irakli,
oraio to omixlodes topio me to fusiko kadrarisma apo ta duo dentra,to A/M se tetoiou eidous topia pou to vathos xanetai stin omoixli,nomizo einai i kaluteri epilogi.
Xaireto,
Dimitris.

sotiris_k (836) 2007-12-18 12:57

Γειά σου Ηρακλή! Πάνω που είπα και γω να ποστάρω χιόνι, ανεβάζεις εσύ τα δικά σου και μας αποτελειώνεις!!! Σ' αυτή τη φωτό οδηγείς πολύ ωραία το μάτι ανάμεσα από τα δέντρα στη μικρή προβλήτα κι από κει στο νησάκι στο βάθος... πολύ απλά και όμορφα! Μπράβο, χαιρετώ.
Σωτήρης

molla (6891) 2007-12-18 13:07

hej Hercules,
you'v actually have more snow in greece than in Sweden. so I envy you even if we have serval degrees below zero. I like the misty light over the lake and the very graphic presentation of the picture.
cheers /Anders

andante (7092) 2007-12-18 13:08

Hercules, la foto que nos presentas hoy, parece tomada en un lugar fantastico... muy bella atmosfera... me gusta mucho el estado de animo aqui captado.
Un saludo,
Enrique

quillo (7258) 2007-12-18 13:22

-

Hola Hércules, muy buena imagen invernal con un encuadre en B/N que enfatiza aun más el ambiente frío y desapacible de estos días de diciembre, me gusta.

Un saludo y hasta pronto.

-

mariandrea (973) 2007-12-18 13:49

Great composition, beautiful picture....

Angelillo (9065) 2007-12-18 15:22

Blanco, frío, solitario... lleno de poesía.

Magnífica imagen, Hercules, una fotografía evocadora de paisajes de sueño y de música callada creando texturas de silencio... No sé cómo se llaman estos árboles (¿sauce llorón?), pero las ramas caídas hacia el suelo acentúan esa sensación de nostalgia profunda. Muy bella!

Un saludo,
Angel.

crckt (7090) 2007-12-18 16:09

Hi Hercules,
WOW! and I mean WOWWWW!!! B/W has surely made this exceptional. The fog/mist in the background has given it an atmosphere that is just fantastic.
Excellent shot.
Regards,
Shaeri

emilbo (9569) 2007-12-18 16:14

Salur hercules!
Très belle scène d'hiver. je vois qu'il y a moins de neige que chez, après la dernière tempête que nous avons eue.
J'aime bien cette composition et les deux gros arbres de même que le rocher dans la brume. Ça fait très joli avec le feuillage des arbres dans le haut.
Codiale salutations!
Emilius

bostankorkulugu (33888) 2007-12-18 17:19

reminds me of sapanca lake, looks very idyllic... i like the way the trees are framing the compo, and the islet in the distance... simply beautiful giritli mou...

bostani

edytungkal (4519) 2007-12-18 20:19

Very poetic and i think this shot is one of your best pictures, it is well to frame it by the leaves and double tree on each sides. Very well done Hercules, i like this shot alot.

daniel

barrufeto_77 (25903) 2007-12-18 22:34

Hola Hercules.

Brutal foto en B&W. A quién le digas que esto es Grecia, desde luego, no se lo creen. Increibles estos contrastes y el POV es buenísimo!

Un saludo, OScar

Graal (58577) 2007-12-18 23:33

Hi Hercules,
very nice composition and view. Amazing a small island in BG. Fine natural frame of image. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

azaf1 (15547) 2007-12-19 0:25

Irakli kalispera II
Teleia thematiki isorropia me to en face kai teleia avevaiotita me tin omixli. Antifasi me sigouria, aspro-mavro. Apithanos sindiasmos ekfrasis kai sinesthimaton
kai vevaia Evge
Argiris

patdeph (18244) 2007-12-19 1:40

hello Hercules
I like this white and misty atmosphere!i didn't think that it could be so cold in Greece!I like the 2 trees and their branches framing the jety,this is a nice POV!Black and white work here very well,enhancing the cold atmosphere!beautiful shot!
Have a nice day.
Pascale

TopGeo (22121) 2007-12-19 1:53

Geia sou Irakli! Ta chionismena topia epikera kai inai pantou. kali skepsi kai orea apotiposi. To kadro meletim;eno kai me katharo vathos. Bravo
Georgios

clio (22985) 2007-12-19 3:22

Geia sou Hirakli,
Magnificent centring with these two trees surrounding the pontoon. Our glance leaves for the island then gets lost in the mist.Magnificent centring with these two trees surrounding the pontoon. Our glance leaves for the island then gets lost in the mist.
Mou aressi para poli
Xaireto
Artemis

drago (4826) 2007-12-19 3:41

Ελα Ηρακλάρα,καιρό έχουμε να τα πούμε,πολύ ωραία και "ψυχρή" η ματιά σου πάνω στο απίθανο χειμωνιάτικο σκηνικό!Πολύ καλή και η τοποθέτηση των στοιχείων στο κάδρο σου,δίνει εντυπωσιακό βάθος!
Χαιρετισμούς
Παναγιώτης

ayansadhu (1499) 2007-12-19 5:52

Informative notes makes one to look at the image with more vision...the framing, composition and the high key tones are excellent which makes your image outstanding...

vero07 (1747) 2007-12-19 7:14

Hola Hércules,
Preciosa foto en blanco y negro con un bonito marco natural como bien dices. Me gusta el interesante ambiente creado con la niebla. Imagino que será un buen paisaje también en colores. Gracias por tu útil información.
Saludos!

stelli (2959) 2007-12-19 8:17

Beautiful artistic picture and it is not about nothing! :) Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

rigoletto (26662) 2007-12-19 9:33

Hi Irakli,
The colorful version would not be much different than that i guess. The mist, the lake, snow and natural frame with the willows make a very nice winter stage for photographing. One standing lonely figure would add a lot imho.
Cheers,
Deniz

meltemi (9746) 2007-12-19 10:52

Geia Sou Hercules,
fascinating view, I like these winter atmospheres. This image with this lovely pier covered with snow which is really a pleasure to my eyes, I like the natural framing given by the willow trees on the top, my compliments.
Kind Regards.
Stella

ident (1420) 2007-12-19 11:07 [Comment]

Show Comment

steliosk (4784) 2007-12-19 11:45

pwpw ti tromerh atmosfaira einai auth, kobei thn anasa.. poly epityxhmenh arxhge, Ok oi perissoteroi to exoun parakanei me to A/M pou to xrhsimopoioun gia na krypsoun tis ateleies mias eikonas (mesa se autous kai egw de to krybw), alla esy to kaneis dhmiourgika en gnwsh sou, kai oxi pros apofygh ateleiwn.

Se sygxairw Hraklh, euxaristoume gia thn probolh.
Filika
Stelios

cunejo200 (7231) 2007-12-19 16:06

Hello Hercules,
The framing is quite attractive. Clever choice of tree trunks to let us view the beyond, good contrast and exposure. Greetings! Danilo

pablominto (41148) 2007-12-20 0:53

Hello Hercules,
A lovely view of snowy wither, nicely framed by the fine old trees!
Well balanced composition with nice details, and the pier makes a fine lead-in to the island in the back...
A pleasant winter atmosphere!
Greetings,
Pablo -

evanrizo (456) 2007-12-20 1:31

Γειάσου Ηρακλή, ιδανική εικόνα για να τρέξει η φαντασία, στο ίδιο σημείο τράβηξα μερικές φωτογραφίες σε ανοιξιάτικο καιρό μία από αυτές είναι εδώ από σημείο στα αριστερά σου.
Καλό βράδυ.
Βαγγέλης
θα ξαναπεράσω...

danos (33074) 2007-12-20 3:01

Ηρακλή καλημέρα,
εξαιρετική η χειμωνιάτικη σκηνή στις Πρέσπες με το χιόνι όχι και τόσο παχύ όσο περίμενα να το δω σε τόσο Βόρεια περιχή.Είχα περάσει από την περιχή στο τέλος του φετεινού Ιανουαρίου και κάναμε και την μεγάλη βόλτα, να σκεφθείς μέχρι κάτι σπηλιές με ναίδρια.Ήταν ότι καλύτερο είδα από την περιοχή.Πολύ καλλές και οι σημειώσεις σου.

Καλά Χριστούγεννα και ευτυχισμένος ο καινούργιος χρόνος,Δάνος

John_F_Kennedy (31865) 2007-12-20 4:34

Super photo, the snow and the cold certainly shows up here. Good composition too.
Best wishes,
Achim

ifanik (20542) 2007-12-20 6:57

Kalispera Hraklh
Poly omorfh eikona me wraia xeimwniatikh atmosfaira kai thn symmetrikh eikona poy se xaraktirizei tha elega se polles fwtografies soy
Poly kalh dyleia
Xairetw
Nikos

toto (18755) 2007-12-20 8:50

Belle photo NB de ce lac, très bon POV avec ces arbres qui lui font un cadre naturel,ce quai et ce bateau, vraiment très joli comme vue.Bonne netteté, bons détails.
Je vous souhaite d' excellente fêtes de fin d' année et que l' année 2008 vous apporte a vous et votre famille bonheur et prospérités.
Amitiés Thomas

doubay (5043) 2007-12-21 1:17

Gia su Irakli!
Xipnisa simera to proi ke ta vrika exo pano-kato opos stin fotografia su. Apo limnes, dendra ke omichili etsi ke alios chamos ginete, simera tin nichta lipon prostethike ke ligo chioni. Atmosferiki chimoniatiki fotografia, an ke kapos katathliptiki. Mu thimizi Germania endona.
Chereto
Andreas

teutza (10568) 2007-12-21 2:38

greece in snow..well this is an image i douldn't imagine very easy..but it looks beautiful and calm..
Kala Christougenna Ki'eftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos my dear friend
huugs
teo

Emile (20055) 2007-12-21 20:46

Hola Hercules.
Me gusta mucho como cambias la composicion de tus fotografias de una a otra, unas con preciosos contrastes de colores, la anterior nocturna con excelente iluminacion y colores y ahora una en blanco y negro con una estupenda composicion un tanto melancolica, un dia gris y frio en Grecia, muy buen POV con los dos arboles haciendo un buen balance y al mismo tiempo un marco natural. Me gusta.
Un fuerte abrazo

Gerrit (36127) 2007-12-22 10:25

Hi Hercules,
well brought together these elements in the decor of weeping willows, Good light.
Regards, gerrit

gurselerdener (972) 2007-12-23 2:07

Kalimera Hercules
Impressive composition, symetrical cadrage and beautiful black&white photograph.
Congratulations
Best wishes from Ankara
Gursel

thor68 (5537) 2007-12-23 2:19

is that snow? there is snow everywhere, just not here in cologne...

what a lovely "dreamy" shot! :-) isn´t fog great sometimes - when do don´t have to drive a car through it for example?
terrific composition with the curtain of willow branches opening up and releasing a wonderful moody view of the lake.
superb job & happy holidays, thor.

hdl (6737) 2007-12-24 4:30

Hi Hercules. A great framing you have here; it comes out very good in b&w. A picture that has a lot of points, and the reason is obvious: a very good shot.

Emiel_Skyfreak (2976) 2007-12-25 3:55

Hi Herucles,

This one is brilliant! Great composition with this natural frame! The trees function so well to do this, a symmetrical approach, except...well nature is often not symmetrical at all (see the trees) but I like it anyhow! The left tree has a split in the lower part..and the right tree has a split somewhere higher. I like how you positioned the pier down there, between the trees..leading to well, not too much. Very good black and white photo with great atmosphere!

Regards from the Netherlands,
Emiel

jmcl (14073) 2007-12-25 20:20

Hi Hercules,

Wonderful winter image .. the way the tone works through the composition is tremendous .. the way the trees frame the composition is wonderful .. the infinite depth of the water draws me in .. Tremendous.

take care,

Merry Christmas.

John

sonkai (1017) 2007-12-29 14:26

Hi Hercules.
Very nice photo,I like the (almost)symmetry,the weeping willow curtain and the fog behind the branches hiding away the horizon..
Thanks for sharing and best regards

coco (28040) 2008-01-07 15:11

Kalispera Hercules.

Al fin, después de mucho retraso, empiezo a recuperar fotos tuyas que tenía pendiente visitar.

La composición es perfecta y blanco negro es una combinación perfecta.
Si una foto pudiera ser considerada poesía... ésta sería una poesía y tu un poeta.

Un saludo.

enedimd (1528) 2008-01-14 12:20

Hi Hercules,
Very beautiful winter shot in B&W version. Amazing shot with a symmetrical trees and superb POV. Ambiance is very beautiful. I like very much.
Emir Nedim