Komsomolskaya Station, a photo from Moscow, Center

Photographer's Note

This is Komsomolskaya station. In Soviet schools children joined Soviet youth organisations. First they joined the Little Octobrists, from age 7-9, then the Young Pioneers. At age 14 children could elect to join the Komsomol, the youth division of the Communist Party. So, at a guess, the name of this station is a reference to the Komsomol division of the Communist party.

It is clearly not 5.30 a.m. in the morning as with my previous posts of Moscow Metro stations. It was actually 5.40 a.m. when I took this, indicating to you just how much of an early bird you have to be if you want to take a photo of the architecture alone (which is after all the main focus of celebration for me, not the people).

It is a station on the Koltsevaya line, between Prospekt Mira and Kurskaya stations. Komsomolskaya, was designed as an illustration of a historical speech given by Stalin on November 7, 1941. In this speech, Stalin evoked the memories of Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy and other military leaders of the past, and these historical figures appear on the mosaics of Komsomolskaya station.

The early design of the station can be traced to Petrine baroque in the original plans, which was an adaptation of a 17th century Dutch style. However, after the end of World War II the original plans were discarded and the station was completed in the mainstream late Stalinist style of the period.

Enjoy.

macjake, pajaran, ikeharel, jhm, holmertz, tyro, adores trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

macjake (96157) 2016-07-19 2:10

Hi Mike
I've been enjoying your recent series on these Moscow subway stations...there are many awesome photos of them on the Internet, and yours belong in that grouping as well.

cool to focus in on the roof this time. the final result is pretty darn awesome. Keep these coming.

PS
I've heard the police/security here can often be problematic for photographers - they're not exactly the nicest or most understanding of people. did you have any issues in your time in Moscow?

cheers
Craig

ikeharel (105867) 2016-07-19 3:28

Hello Michael,
glad to raise memories from your tractor advanture in Israel.
This is a fabulous POV chosen in order to have the beautifully decorated ceiling as main focal point, and the secondery object also gave vividness and motion scale to the scene: the people stride through the station hall.
Shining chandeliers superbly lit the whole.
My best regards,
Ike

willperrett (14029) 2016-07-19 3:38

Hello Mike

A different take on fly-on-the-wall! Not sure how you got up there, but the quirky angled framing works a treat. I can understand your interest in the architecture of these places, thought I can't agree about the people: for me the person is the picture...

Regards

Will

jhm (202915) 2016-07-19 3:52

Hello Michael,

The metro of Moscow is one of the most beautiful in the world.
You choose a diagonal picture with a very nice result.
Also excellent depth and perspective.
Composition and presentation are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

lousat (129891) 2016-07-19 3:57

Hi Mike,a new spectacular capture from the Moscow underground,this time in an original diagonal perspective,endless and very sharp despite the difficult light,very well done! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

holmertz (92782) 2016-07-19 3:57

Hello Mike,
Before reading the note I was about to say that it must have been a relief to avoid getting up before dawn just for once. Amazing how things can change in a few minutes. I feel pity with all this e people who are probably here every day at this inhuman early hour. Being the strange kind of person I am I appreciate the view of the people but of course I also appreciate the amazing roof. You found an unusual angle for this photo but I guess you didn't have to climb some kind of scaffolding like the Pussy Riot did for one of their performances.
Best regards,
Gert

Sergiom (117241) 2016-07-19 6:01

Bonjour Michael,

Il est des plus spectaculaire ce plafond de station de métro moscovite. Il y a de qui se briser le cou à l'admirer et ainsi rater son train. Les lustres apportent un éclairage tout en douceur.

Amicalement

Serge

jemaflor (135344) 2016-07-19 23:31

Hi Michael,
Very beautiful architecture and original and interesting presentation with this good tilt, perfect exposure, tfs

tyro (30513) 2016-07-20 4:51

Hi Mike,

A fascinating note about the architecture of this place and the political scene at the time of its building - and well done you for being so dedicated as to haul yourself out of your bed to achieve such a fine shot without being overburdened with busy commuters.

And a very fine photograph this is too: I rather like the "tilted" composition which allows for some fine interesting "lead in" lines as well as giving a very clear view of the magnificent ceiling and never-ending pillars while the people are, to some extent at least, seen in relative gloom below.

Lovely lighting, fine colours, perfect exposure and excellent depth of field and sharpness throughout.

Brilliant!

Kind Regards,

John.

emka (152108) 2016-07-21 1:24

Hello Mike,

Another Moscow metro station. They are fascinating, aren't they. Komsomolskaya is very busy busy station, already at 5.40 a.m. I like the creative composition with the diagonal row of lamps. Koltsevaya (ring) line us very useful.
An urban legend suggests that Joseph Stalin himself suggested the line when he placed a coffee cup on the original development map (with no ring) and then lifting it and leaving a circular stain around the centre of the city and said "It's your main fault, it should be built". It is thought this is the reason for the line's brown colour on all metro maps.
I had no problems with the pictures in metro, even when there policemen in sight.

WArm regrads Malgo

abmdsudi (88475) 2016-07-22 6:38

Hi Mike
Your tilting shot is imaginative where emphasis is on the ornate ceiling and long perspective enhanced by intriguing highlights and colours benefitted from the way the light is playing on it. The lively crowd becomes part of capture clinching this shot. Congrats
Best wishes

adores (46979) 2017-04-19 16:29

Hi Michael!
This looks like a fabulous station and the photo is great. I like the original pov, the well managed light and the details.