solstice

Critiques [Translate]

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• bakes888 (12524)
• [2008-06-26 0:21]

Hi Kristaps. Traditions bind us to our past, not a bad thing. Great photo. Wonderful warm colours. Well composed and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

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• Greg1949 (5395)
• [2008-06-26 4:46]

Nice one buddy, this is a really fine shot. What Paul said is of course right and what I like most about the shot is that the blacks are black and the scene looks as we would see it if we were there. Great job Kristaps,

Greg

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• cfreire (7849)
• [2008-06-26 7:16]

Hi Kristaps,
Interesting picture about this popular tradition. It resamble some brazilian traditions, too. In this month, we have a lot of parties with fireplace, dancing and other things. These placed in circle around the fireplace was interesting with these golden colors. Well done. Regards, Consuelo

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• Floydian (24263)
• [2008-06-26 7:18]
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Hi Kristaps,
Your son posing, man a great shot, you can be proud on that one. Just as in this one there is golden warm light from the fire. Okay some might say just a fire with people around it, but all these people share something together to come here and sit and watch, that mood is what people connects..great..!!!
Hope your bysy working days are over and time for a more relaxed period...
Take care, Henk

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• avene (5494)
• [2008-06-26 7:44]

I like a lot the semi-circle of people gradually disappearing in the distance, I find it nicely simbolises the nation. the huge fire dwarfing those watching it is another interesting symbol of importance of traditions and sense of community that can be larger that one single individual. nice one.

take care,
K.

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• belido (9159)
• [2008-06-26 9:08]

Hi Kristaps,

nice to see a post from you. I know you've been busy...you came with this attractive shot. Very good light management. I like the effect of the fire light on those people. Nice to know something about the culture of your people. Great job!
Regards,
Carlos

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• Wandering_Dan (3145)
• [2008-06-26 9:09]
• - [workshop] [compare] [+]

Hi, Kristaps -

I find the color treatment somewhat artificial, but as a human interest shot it's great.

Practically every culture that has lived in the temperate zones has a solstice tradition, particularly a winter solstice one. The Romans called it Saturnalia, and there is an argument among religious historians that early Christians fixed the date of Jesus' birth at Dec. 25th in order to make a bridge between Saturnalia and Christianity. The Jewish festival of Channukah, though it has a connection to a historical event (the Maccabean revolt), also has a solstice connection, and is celebrated with lights.

Best,
Dan

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• japiey (9313)
• [2008-06-26 10:37]

Hi Kristaps,

This really interests me..
The fire burning, and the people watching in delight. The capture reveals both the elements in it's finest moods.
SUPERB.
Fascinating tones and composition.
Well done, dear friend.

jp

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• fulvio52 (4050)
• [2008-06-27 6:11]
• [+]

Hi Kristaps,
a tip of the hat to you for taking this shot, under the same circumstances you'll find me in the nearest bar... Actually, as soon as it gets dark (or when facing backlighting...) you'll find me in the nearest bar ANYWHERE, he he!
The picture GLOWS, and makes you feel like being right there, only steps away from the bonfire.
Which is, technically speaking, the whole point, IMNAAHO!
Great informative note about Latvian traditions too, my compliments.
I'll have a beer on this one.
CHEERS!
Have a great day, I'll see you soon.
Fulvio.

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• gunbud (17378)
• [2008-06-30 20:40]

Hi Kristaps,
Beautiful capture of the Lativan enjoying this festive occasion.
There is something in our distant past that draws us to a roaring blaze such as this brilliant display.
Regards, Tom

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• Waylim (2661)
• [2008-07-01 9:13]

Kristap,
It's red hot this one. Wow! I can feel the heat from here. Just seeing the red light illuminated on the people make me sweat. Must be hard to get this image with this light, but you did well. Good compsition to include the bonfire and the people in circle.
Way

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• noborders (11598)
• [2008-07-01 14:45]
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Very interesting culturally speaking ! Your note explains well the circumstances, I was also fascinated to read that you have kept both the traditions and the connections when settling in the States, with communities gathering for such great events - as for the photo, the glow on so many faces is great to watch, of course the light conditions were difficult but if the skin colours are a bit too orange for my taste, I loved to watch all the small silhouettes in the far and to guess the people in the middle ground.
Beautiful event, TFS !
Best regards,
Cath.

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• Wanda1 (7741)
• [2008-07-09 22:39]

Hi Kristaps,
The warm glow and the expressions of amazement at the giant bonfire is great here and there is a nice sense of community coming through the shot.
Regards
Wanda

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• nirvana73 (5046)
• [2008-07-15 7:52]

Hi Kristaps,
Very interesting culturally shot
i like the fire light and look people
tfs
regards
Ozhan

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• Angshu (24876)
• [2008-07-18 0:41]

Hello Kristaps
I took similar pictures where fire was the main source of light & also got those saturated orangish colour. Didn't work too well in my pictures, but here it does. I had no idea that there were such a sizeable Latvian population in US of A, but then I am hardly an expert in these matters. Liked your WS post with your son, yes a picture to be proud of. Everywhere in the world, including my country the bonfire tradition remains, the origins of which go far far back….we do it as a symbolism of the victory of good over evil. I like the picture as well as your informative note!
Best Regards
Angshu

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• robiuk (9849)
• [2008-07-22 7:54]
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Hi Kristaps,
just to mention (before I forget) that I prefer your
original to Daniel's work in the WS that looks dull (forgive me, Daniel!).
I find this one unusual, in a sense that not often do we
get to see this type of night scenes on TE. And I like the
high contrast between the red (dark orange) and black.
Fair amount of flames included provides warmth that doesn't
only please the audience/participants, but reaches even
viewers in front of their computer screens.
Well done,
Robi

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• danyy (51515)
• [2008-07-22 16:26]

Bonjour Kristaps,
100% TE ce sujet, une fête particulière à certaines régions du monde. Le reflets rouges du feu colorent bien les personnages et le feu en lui même, évidemment surexposé est bien placé, en borduree.
Regards
Daniel.