history faces you Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is only a small part of the Petrovsky Putevoi (Transit) Palace which stands very close to Leningradskiy avenue - one of the biggest and longest avenues in Moscow.

I took this photo (as well as many others) of this unique palace on my way to yet another lesson - from student to student...

Many times I had passed by and finally decided to take a photo. For the sake of taking photos I even got off the trolleybus one stop earlier and walked the rest of the way.

Initially I wanted to take photos in bright sunny weather: the palace looks its best in such weather. But I was too late: the sun had already set, and all that was left was just scarce dying sun rays.

When taking photos I realized that maybe it was the best time - the beginning of the blue hour: no dark contrast areas, quiet soft lighting...

In any case, it is up to you to judge whether my decision was the best... or maybe I should find the time to go there again earlier in the afternoon - and take more photos?

NB: Unfortunately, I could not step back to take a more panoramic view - there was a road with cars close behind my back.

This is a stitch of 5 images.

In the Workshop: 2 additional images.

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Info about the palace:

The foundation for the Petrovsky Putevoi (Transit) Palace was laid in 1775 at the order of Empress Catherine II in honor of the victory in the Russo-Turkish war of 1768–1774.

It was the latest in a series of transit palaces — residences for the regal family to stop over at on their way from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

The palace was designed by the outstanding Russian architect Matvei Kazakov.

The Petrovsky Palace is one of few cultural and historical monuments that have survived virtually intact, a sample of Neo-Gothic architecture.

During the Soviet era, the palace ensemble was passed on to the Red Aviation. Initially, it hosted a palace of culture, and later during World War I — a hospital.

At that time, the walls of all the gala halls were painted white. Under Soviet rule, the Petrovsky Palace served as headquarters for the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy.

Ever since the comprehensive renovation, which was completed in 2008, the Petrovsky Palace has accommodated the Reception House of the Moscow City Government and a hotel.

daddo, asajernigan, paura, bukitgolfb301, UlfE, ellelloo, Royaldevon, xuaxo, fritzi007, BeBeHooker, mortijo, Kielia, holmertz, bobocortis, shevchenko has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

MarinaBlue (65) 2009-10-16 14:20

Hi Elena!

I really love the POV and the round geometrical shapes of this building! The wall's shape and color reminds me Kremlin so I suppose it is a very typical building for Moscow! Despite the cloudy weather there is much color and life! Lovely!

Hugs,

Marina

daddo (11363) 2009-10-16 15:17

Zdravo Elena. I think this particular hour was special for two reasons. Your image is different from the usual sun soaked TE images and secondly, the light is soft making the building somewhat ethereal. The soft salmon colour goes well with the bluish grey sky. harmonious image. Mnye nravitsya.Regards. Klaudio.

asajernigan (14132) 2009-10-16 15:51

Elena,
You chose a nice POV for this shot using the road to lead the eye through the shot. The lighting and colors are great with the peach color standing out nicely against the clouded sky. The trees frame the scene nicely.
TFS,
Asa

paura (38410) 2009-10-16 16:41

Elena,
Lindo o enquadramento que você adotou aqui, contribuindo ainda para o excelenge resultado o eficiente ajuste de exposição e composição. Lindo trabalho.

Abraço

Paulo

jplebrun (16978) 2009-10-16 17:13

Bonsoir Elena
superbe architecture de ce palais admirablement bien démontré par ces trois photos (WS inclus) belle présentation.
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

AKITA (5343) 2009-10-16 17:41

dear Elena,
a graceful picture of the beautiful palace in very calm light condition.
this tone of sky really matches the moderate red brick walls, the ambience is so tender in evening time.
in my first impression, these look like bear faces with crown on each head, very cheerful faces.
actually well designed buildings for adults and for children, because not historical but fantasy faces them indeed.
anyway, stitching is natural and result is wonderful panoramic perspective.
thank you,
Akihisa

bukitgolfb301 (4630) 2009-10-16 22:38

Hello my dear Elena

What an another beautiful shot!
Smooth composition and framework, sharp focusing on the main subject and pale color coordination are very comfortable as usual!
I remind that Russia has a long history and tradition.
Congratulation on your masterpiece!
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a nice Saturday !

Takero

UlfE (8978) 2009-10-16 22:58

Hi Elena,

An excellent photo and a great note about the conditions for photographing and I agree that this a good choice of time. The absence of great contrasts and shadows makes it very attractive and the details are indeed very impressive you could actually see every brick of the walls. One of the advances of places you pass very often is that you could always take another photo in another lighting or weather. TFS and have a nice weekend!

Kind regards,

Ulf

ellelloo (4775) 2009-10-16 23:48

Hello Elena,
I think you selected the right moment for your photo, an excellent one in many senses. The light is beautiful and soft and the pre blue hour atmosphere is transmitted nicely. Good natural colours. A well thought composition as well. The WS photos are very good both of them could have been a main photo too. :-)
Warmest greetings and have a nice weekend!
Lasse

pajaran (3153) 2009-10-17 0:37

Dobro jutro, kod nas je i dalje hladno ispod nule.
Dobro pokazana aritektura ovom lepom fotografijom dobrih boja.
Lepo izgleda.
Prijatan vikend, Paja.

Royaldevon (5932) 2009-10-17 0:52

Hello Elena,

The light is lovely, giving a smoothness to the soft, warm colour of the buildings, that is uninterupted. Your sharp focus and good dof allows me to scrutinise the excellent details.
Your pov is well chosen despite its limitations, with a smooth curve for the eyes to follow, and having a good sense of perspective.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

xuaxo (5727) 2009-10-17 2:26

Добрый день Елена!
Very nice architecture. It's a pity that the weather is not sunshine. So I try to brighten it in the workshop.
Your additional images are very nice too.
До свидания!
Привет из теплой и солнечной Португалии.
Francisco

[workshop] [compare]

fritzi007 (2535) 2009-10-17 5:03

Hi Elena!
The palace is truly unique, the colors are really compelling. The quality of the photos is outstanding!
Warm greetings from cold Austria
Wolfgang

BeBeHooker (5506) 2009-10-17 5:07

Hi Elena!
Very interesting architecture. Nice natural light and colours, good contrast, very good sharpness. Original frame.
Cheers!

mortijo (12238) 2009-10-17 6:38

A well constructed photo. Excellent sharpness and nice colors, although it is sure that they woud look a lot brighter if there was some sunshine on the brickwork. So...try to take an earlier bus :-)
Have a nice weekend
John

Kielia (8501) 2009-10-17 12:19

Hi Elena,
it is always exciting for me to read about your considerations why or why not taking a photo. In this case the blue hour is perfect but personally I would have liked a warm light on the walls. Very interesting building with a fascinating history, very good work in every sense, but ... I am missing the glow!
With all my friendship and best regards
Harriet

JT50 (769) 2009-10-17 14:50

Hi Elena,
Splendid composition with perfect POV.
Sharp shot with smooth colours.
Regards.
Janak

siamesa (12888) 2009-10-18 1:25

Hello Elena

Very beautiful and special architecture . For me, one of the most beautiful in the world. Excellent capture. Congratulations.
Abraços
maria

holmertz (9645) 2009-10-18 2:15

Hello Elena,
Another fine example of the interesting architecture that can obviously be found in so many parts of Moscow. I think you were lucky that the sun wasn't shining brightly, because those light clouds with a touch of silver linings give a pleasant softness to the colours. The composition is nicely balanced with one tree in the upper left corner and another near the lower right.
Kind regards,
Gert

bobocortis (14140) 2009-10-18 11:57

Hello Elena.
Good composition with good depth.
I like the colors and the high sharpness.
Kind regards.
Bobo.

shevchenko (9922) 2009-10-18 20:09

Hi Elena,
Interesting composition to show an old palace, informative note for study the related history, clear to see the beautiful design and structure, thanks for sharing WS too.
Ally

saxo042 (15680) 2009-10-20 13:43

Hi Elena,
I think you have everything the right way here; colours, balance and so forth. Even the sky is perfect. Your note is also very interesting but there is one thing I wonder about. Looking at the satellite view, there is a field or something a short distance in direction west-southwest of your marker. Is it an abandoned airfield? Looks like a lot of small aircrafts parked there. I´m just curious:)

foozi (4717) 2009-10-22 14:46

Hi Elena,
this tight crop allows the building to be seen in fetsils. The colour contrast is great. The red building really stands out beautifully. The design and features are noted well.. You too have framed it well with branches to make it lovelier.
Nice quiet scenery. It could be felt too.

regasrds,
Foozi