V A L E N K I Photo

Photographer’s Note

I shot it in the Art Perm Exhibition 2009.

Valenki (Russian: âàëåíêè; sg valenok (Russian: âàëåíîê)) are traditional Russian winter footwear, essentially felt boots. Its very name, valenki literally means, "made by felting". Valenki are made of wool felt. They are not water-resistant, therefore they are often worn with galoshes to protect the felt. Galoshes also protect the valenki soles from wear and tear. As such, valenki were the footwear of choice for many Russians. Since the second half of the 20th century, valenki have lost most of their appeal in cities, due to their association with rustic style of dress.
In the 20th century, an improvement in technology allowed manufacturers to vulcanize rubber overshoe-style protection right onto valenki to provide better water and piercing protection while retaining the advantages of the felt.
In many Russian towns, like Myshkin, valenki are an important craft worthy of display in a museum.

fanni, JanD, mehrdad-t, jhm, holmertz, mafegan, Graal, Selmik, Ola_Kwiatek, ilvao, fritzi007, lingvisten has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

JanD (14401) 2009-04-30 3:59

Howdy Serghei!
Good idea. Very good shot. Ideal capture. Funny job.
Regards.

mehrdad-t (804) 2009-04-30 4:01 [Comment]

Show Comment

jhm (81817) 2009-04-30 5:29

Hello Serghei,

What a nice idea, I find this very well, certainly as artwork.
Sharpness and clarity are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

aadilj (17950) 2009-04-30 5:56

Nice shot Serghei, I like the way you have spotted and composed this one. Nice mood

holmertz (9328) 2009-04-30 13:22

Hello Serghei,
An original and interesting shot. It's nice to see that an old handicraft is alive and kicking and is being developed. Very fine colours.
Best regards,
Gert

Waylim (10717) 2009-04-30 19:09

Hello Serghei,
These do looks very comfortabel to were, especially around the house, I assume it soft if it made out of felt. Almost like reall thick socks. Nothing to brag about but Good pictures showing the kind of shoes I have never seen before. Thanks.
Way

mafegan (3961) 2009-04-30 21:06

Hello Serghei
Interesting subject matter and very good accompanying notes. I wouldn't mind a pair. Good composition with appropriate cropping. Tfs, Marlene

fanni (8717) 2009-05-02 3:48

Hi Serghei,
funny nice original shot :))
"Валенки, валенки. не подшиты стареньки!"
А по морозу босиком слабо пройти? ;-)
Хороших вам выходных! первомай прошел, ух!...
Елена

Jeppo (11642) 2009-05-03 2:26

so those are the valenki???
I often found them in books regarding the Italian soldiers fighting in Russia during the II WW...badly equipped and suffering from frozen feets while Russian protected their own feet with those shoes

they are fine decorated...and it's nice to have this product associated with museums, handcraft and fashion instead of war

priviet
silvio

devimeuxbe (55681) 2009-05-03 7:36

Hello Serghei
interesting compositio; ; It's funnny and elegant; Nice cropping.
Well done
Bertrand

Graal (57312) 2009-05-03 23:41

Priviet Seryoza,
priekrasnoye walonki, amazing row, good presentation. I like it. Good theme and idea.
Gr., Aleksander

Selmik (1338) 2009-05-04 22:04

Ïðèâåò ñíîâà,
îé, êàêàÿ ïðåëåñòü, óëûáíóëñÿ îò äóøè, âñïîìíèëàñü Ðóñëàíîâà ñ åå çíàìåíèòîé "...âàëåíêè,äà âàëåíêè,îé äà íå ïîäøèòû ñòàðåíüêè..."
Çàìå÷àòåëüíî!
Ìèøà :-)

Ola_Kwiatek (2256) 2009-05-06 2:13

Nice idea, very nice shot. Good sharpness. Funny work.
Cheers

ilvao (2248) 2009-05-10 5:31

Serghei : informative shot and also a great idea
nice panorama style photo
i would even crop more of the below view
all the best
olivier

fritzi007 (2389) 2009-05-10 22:46

Hallo Serghei!
Really, a perfect picture with good design and text!
I look forward with Russia - Congratulations to the ice hockey gold
VG Wolfgang

pablominto (40056) 2009-05-11 2:26

Hello Serghei,

This is an informative presentation of these traditional boots, and I think I have seen similar made over here too!
Good repetition effect in the framing, sharp fine details...

Greetings,
Pablo -