Russian War Memorial Photo

Photographer’s Note

The World War II memorial, in the Russian Far East town of "Komsomolsk on Amur", (on the Amur River, which forms the border between China & Russia, for a large part of it's length). Russians call the town "Komsomolsk-Na-Amure", and it has 281,035 people (2002 Census). It was originally part of China, but ceded to Russia in 1856, after the treaty of Aigun.

The 'Komsomolsk' part, refers to the young "Communist youth organisation" (Komsomol). From Wikipedia: "Komsomol (Комсомол) is a syllabic abbreviation word, from the Russian 'Kommunisticheskiy Soyuz Molodiozhi'. (Коммунистический союз молодёжи), or "Communist Union of Youth".

Between 1932 & the 1950's, it was ultimately built as an industrial centre. The town was eventually renamed 'Komsomolsk-on-Amur' . (Formerly, it was known as "Permskoye").

More info on the city here:

This is a link to Wikipedia

The memorial reminded me of Mount Rushmore, in the USA, but is much smaller. Yet another town, with zero previous uploads on TE.

I've added a workshop, showing a wide angled view of the War Memorial Park, & Obelisk, with 1945 on it.

sevy, saylan-cb, pasternak, Cricri, papagolf21, jhm, john_c, Rosa, cessy, siolaw, feather, danos, MLINES, alvaraalto, singuanti, jrj, axiotea, faubry, berek, alainh, keribar, aloyho, Yffic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sevy (13302) 2007-10-19 1:05

Hello Chris,

An interesting shot which makes me think also about the Mt Rushmore: the parallel is interesting.
The composition is nice and allows to observ the details of the faces.

Yves.

[2]

UnTrained (0) 2007-10-19 1:09

Hi Chris,
I also had the idea of Mount Rushmore here, maybe that was used as inspiration. Too bad there is nothing for scale, by the environment I assume something around 10 meter in height. I like the excellent texture of the rock and good contrasts. I think I see someting at the cloud.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

snunney (34684) 2007-10-19 1:23

Hello Chris,
As both you and Yves say, what immediately comes to mind on first seeing this picture is Mount Rushmore. It is a very good capture of this unusual and imposing war memorial. Perfect point of view and good tones and textures. I like the little cloud above the head of the leftmost statue. The expressions are most lifelike, one wonders if they were based on real models.

Budapestman (41618) 2007-10-19 1:28

Hi Chris,
Very impressive and spectacular work of art the POV is effective. I like the contrast between the white statue and the blue sky. Details are very fine, Clarity is superb. Splendid shot, Have a nice day
George

fayeulle (26543) 2007-10-19 1:45

Hi Cris
Amazing memorial made of rocks blocs.
Good note
Cheers
JP

barrufeto_77 (25715) 2007-10-19 1:45

Hi Chris.

Excellent details! My compliments for that.

Maybe needs a person I think but, anyway, great.

Rgs, Oscar

Paolo (40694) 2007-10-19 1:51

Hi Chris, excellent "portraits" of this memorial, i think a copy of Mount Rushmore.
excellent quality and wodnerful deep blue sky.
thanks, ciao

sacavem (8225) 2007-10-19 2:48

Hello Chris,

It is a superb lighting for this monument, which restores a very beautiful light dorée.Le framing is very quite selected.

Regards, and have a nice weekend,
Filipe

pasternak (13244) 2007-10-19 3:45

Hi Chris, wow, you've been to such remote places in Russia, to which almost no "European" Russians ever go... at least I haven't been there...

An impressive monument and an impressive photo! I like the POV and the small white cloud which manages to balance the whole composition...

Cheers
Alexander

carper (64612) 2007-10-19 9:56

very interesting shot Chris,
the contrast is great here a good pov and a fine photojob, good one, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

stego (22350) 2007-10-19 11:27

Hi Chris,
Quite interesting and even original monument. I think that the impression of resemblance with Mt Rushmore disappears quickly after a while looking at it. Even without the WS, it's clear that they aren't sooo big. I find curious how they look simultaneous very artificial (horizontal marks, etc), but at the same time the roughness gives it a kind of natural or very antique look. The superb clarity and sharpness and the fine POV let us appreciate all of that.
TFS, Rgds, José

Gustaw (21670) 2007-10-19 11:58

Hi, my friend!
Is it in Russia? Very oryginal photo. I very like your composition, nice colours and good light. It is interesting view.
Marek

Gerrit (35595) 2007-10-19 14:51

Hi Chris,
very curious formation of statues. Interesting resemblance with the presidents of the USA coming out of the rocks.
Regards, gerrit

greg64g (11193) 2007-10-20 0:05

hello Chris,

very impressive it's remind le the presidents statue in USA
great shot
greg

bazal (7898) 2007-10-20 0:43

Hello, Chris.
This is an impressive piece of art that you have captured here. I like the angle of view and the composition that you have managed to find. The contrasts are great.
Thanks for sharing!

Cricri (43030) 2007-10-20 2:49

Hi Chris,
Un belle reproduction "mémorial" de ces visages
bien cadrer sous un ciel bleu, belle présentation
Have a nice weekend for you
cricri

pablominto (40488) 2007-10-20 3:07

Hello Chris,
A massive memorial topped by this wonderful sky!
I like the point of view and framing, and that fluffy little white cloud is a nice addition...
Good sharpness and details, well composed presentation!
Greetings,
Pablo -

papagolf21 (56233) 2007-10-20 3:18

Bonjour, mon ami Chris,
Très intéressante prise de vue (l'intérêt de Trekearth est manifeste ici). Je ne connaissais pas ce monument (il faut dire que mes lacunes sont immenses) ! ;o)
Un grand merci pour cette publication et pour la photo présentée en atelier.
Amitiés.
Philippe

bracasha75 (22009) 2007-10-20 3:28

Hello Chris
This is new for me i have know for this one from South Dakota but in Rusia....is nice to see even this is war memorial.
TFS
Cheers,Braca

jhm (82297) 2007-10-20 4:12

Hello Chris,

The layers of the big stones give a excellent point view to the statue.
Russia lost most people about the world during the World War II.
You took a very well picture with great quality and sharpness.
Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

Cormac (26449) 2007-10-20 7:43

Congratulations on another first for TE. I like the view of this big sculpture, with the nearest face really filling the frame. In this case getting closer really helped to give this a dramatic look. Well done!

saylan-cb (12726) 2007-10-20 9:26

Hi Chris
Great image and composition...
Great colours and details...
Good note...
Excellent work...
TFS/Regards

john_c (24635) 2007-10-20 10:01

Hi Chris,
Your Russian Far Eastern photos continue to fascinate. The perspective here is well chosen and you controlled the light well by preventing overexposure. The texture of the monument is well seen and appreciated. Thanks for the great note and the interesting WS. Cheers.
John

toto (18699) 2007-10-20 11:16

Belle photo de ces sculpture sur blocs, belle réalisation du sculpteur et de vous meme car les détails superbes que l' on apperçoit sont du a la grande netteté de votre photo. Jolies couleurs de l' arrière plan qui fait bien ressortire l' oeuvre de cette personne. Amitiés Thomas

Rosa (4589) 2007-10-20 13:09

Bonsoir Chris,
Très belles photos de ces sculptures dont les détails sont impressionants d'une belle netteté qui resortent très bien sous ce très beau ciel bleu. Bravo
Amitiés,
Rosa.

Mafo (1339) 2007-10-20 15:13

Hello Chris,
Nice presentation of Russian War Memorial, interesting POV with beautiful blue sky
Regards, Zlatko

cuneyt-sb (6559) 2007-10-20 23:17

Hi Chris
I didnt know there is a sculputure in Russia like this one, Good colors and very good POV

Congrats/TFS/Kind regards

cessy (13647) 2007-10-21 1:26

Hallo Chris
very nice capture of these memorial statues
the light and colors are very good
excellent note and informative picture in the WS too

Uhu (7372) 2007-10-21 2:52

It's not that I'm a big fan of such kind of art, these faces cut out of stone, but photo itself is so very good. Colors and light and clarity is just perfect.

siolaw (25722) 2007-10-21 3:33

Hi Chris,
Good clarity on this picture and fine POV/framing of the group of statues, a kind of smaller, Russian version of Mt Rushmore! Vivid colors and clear sharpness make this a fine shot as well
Laurent

feather (49858) 2007-10-21 3:45

The scale is not easy to get a handle on. First I saw it as very big, then with the WS in comparison to the pillars, I thought it was quite small, then I saw the person and the impression is big again. What is certain is it is a very unusual memorial and something completely new to most of us. You chose a very good POV with the perfect angle to compose this. Well done
Kath

fijiphil (1343) 2007-10-21 8:00

Funny how not one person of the 31 who have left a comment here have mentioned the banding in the sky or the terrible compression artifacting on the cloud. I mean, it is a beautiful composition, don't get me wrong, and a bit of jpeg compression ugliness doesn't necessarily matter, but to me it just seems a bit strange and something that shouldn't come into play here. You're obviously no beginner so I'm a bit surprised you don't pay more attention to these kinds of details.

danos (32250) 2007-10-21 9:04

Hello Chris,
nice this monument of the victims from the World War II.The POV is great contrasting with the shot that we can see in the WS.The sharpness and the clarity from the faces on the stones,are unique and the light that fall is so vivid and bring out the details.Informative your note too.Well done Chris.

Regards,Danos

MLINES (10868) 2007-10-21 14:32

Hi Chris. You chose a very good perspective to show this sculture which is very emotive indeed. Clarity and light are suitable for this message. TFS. Murray.

alvaraalto (5231) 2007-10-21 15:08

Hi Chris,
The steel blue sky with the little cloud is the perfect background for this Russian war memorial. The faces are in the typical social realistic style of the Soviets.
Excellent chosen POV
Groet Rob

singuanti (15240) 2007-10-21 19:35

Hi Chris. The depth of field across the shot is really impressive. Also the sharpness is just right. This looks like a very bright spot and you did a good job with the highlight retention. Great shot Chris!

jrj (34779) 2007-10-22 3:25

Interesting place Chris and what a region along this amur river. Very good setting here to introduce the highly original statues - and thanks for the informative note too.

axiotea (16061) 2007-10-22 23:30

Hi Chris
The texture of these impressive rock statues is well rendered and I like the way you've presented it with the trees on the left side. The white cloud are also a +
Have a nice day
Marilyn

faubry (32281) 2007-10-23 3:21

very informativ note and wonderful image from this far country, may be i will go here when i will be at Yakoutsk. soon
francine

berek (28865) 2007-10-23 22:27

Hi Chris,
so interesting huge statues. good point of view and clear picture my friend. thanks for note. have a nice day.
Burak Erek

femkevdh (2633) 2007-10-24 8:20

Hi Chris,

My loyal fan! ;-)

Wow, som trip you made. Very impressive monument! the way you captured it, the faces seem very alive. Excellent sharpness and angle.

see you!
femke

alainh (35359) 2007-10-24 23:22

hello Chris
it's not the cover disk of Deeple peorple !!!
the angle was the good one. a nice job; c'est trs bon !!
regards
alain

bakes888 (18137) 2007-10-24 23:41

Hi Chris. Great photo. Excellent colours and strong diagonal composition. Well captured and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

keribar (42742) 2007-10-26 22:14

Hello Chris
Very interesting image, you bring places that we'll never be able to see, the story is excellent and so is the picture. I cannnot think of a better composition describing these giant heads. Izzet

aloyho (6109) 2007-10-26 22:30

Hi Chris,
This is indeed an interesting monument. The lines seem to suggest that the rocks were placed one on top of the other in layers and them carved. In this case the lines helped to bind the four statues together. I also like the clarity and detailed texture of the stones that you are able to capture. Amazing place!!

Regards and a nice weekend.

oochappan (22032) 2007-10-27 1:39

Very impressive sculpture Chris, the texturing of the stone well visible, maybe leaving some grains in the sky to avoid the gradiant lining.
Take care
Henk

Yffic (6106) 2007-11-28 1:40

Hi Chris,

Nice view of the russian "Mt Rushmore".
Sharpness and colors are good.
Do you know who are theses faces ?

Regards.

Yves

Wahclellaspirit (3017) 2007-12-27 20:46

Hello Chris,
Before I viewed the workshop I was certain that these statues or rock carvings were much larger than they actually are. You chose the perfect angle to capture the strength of the youth of the war here, a fine tribute in itself...
Steve

NMaverick (0) 2008-04-11 8:31

Hi Chris, yes it resembles the Mt Rushmore memorial, yet it is so different! Very good POV, pay attention to the cloud above, it need some fix or erase it.
Thanks for sharing
Nick