Baku - Transitions Photo

Photographer’s Note

A city and a culture at the cross roads of so many influences and historical occurrences is bound to produce contrasting experiences and images. More than 95% Muslim it is the most provided for Muslim city in terms of alchohol that I have ever encountered and there are significantly fewer Azeris in the country than there are in Iran! Young people and their antecedents are becoming further and further apart as this eastern, western, northern country lurches into shape from this tri-partite pull into a modernity that Azeris are desperately trying to shape for themselves. What is this in terms of an emerging identity, patriotic, independent, proud of a more distant past and playing with future possibilities? Hemmed in against the Caspian Sea this oil rich country seems on a perpetual knife edge - Turkey, Russia, Iran and Armenia - all locked in their own ways into tensions which hold an uneasy 'peace' in this region.

Erina_Kartveli, cessy, Dpbours, flory, arturski has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Erina_Kartveli (152) 2008-04-08 6:11

Very good capture of the woman in Baku and her interesting expression.
the car in the background looks quite expensive and shiny (?)-a contradiction to the old lady ...
Very nice!
Olenka

cessy (13647) 2008-04-08 6:15

the picture with the story indeed
very nice

CaptainJack (0) 2008-04-08 16:45

Hi Kev,

A really intriguing image, somewhat confusing as to what it means before I read your accompanying note. I really like how the B&W treatment works here, especially with the tree branches scattered throughout the sky and gives the woman a timeless look about her. From top to bottom, this image is just simply eyecatching and full of wonder. Nice job.

Jack

Dpbours (220) 2008-04-09 6:46

Hi Kev,

Good note! I miss the link with the photograph, or perhaps it is the contrast of the rather modern car and the lesser modern dressed lady. I had perhaps expected something more on the edge of that 'figure-of-speech' knife you refer to. But a good note with an interesting photograph!
Must surely be an interesting place to visit.

Greetings, Dennis

RGatward (19737) 2008-04-09 16:00

Very effective contextual framing, I especially like the late model Volga. Looks like a fascinating place, time to catch up I think, I'm in the country until 20th.

AnimeshRay (8886) 2008-04-10 12:32

Excellent perspective, Kev! Excellent moment too...

flory (4804) 2008-04-11 22:13

hi dear Kev,
a good frame with a 'taste' of old times.
depends by them how will be the future.where is oil or gas is not easy in any case.:)
take care,
Flori:)

arturski (4444) 2008-05-27 14:36

Hey Kev!

I have the history of Baku before the eyes!
Nice shot !

Regards

Artur

scalerman (25733) 2008-08-15 15:02

Kev: it's really been a long time - what's become of some of the old TE dinosaurs? Everyone diverges and sometimes they return. It's good to be reminded of the older members. Btw, this fine portrait has a real HCB grain to it. Nice work - I shall return... c