The new face of Albania Photo

Photographer’s Note

Gone are the days when Albania was a grey and backward country in the midst of European prosperity. It is still a comparatively poor country, but its economy is growing steadily, even during the present global recession, and progress is visible everywhere.
This is from the city of Shkoder in northwestern Albania, near the border with Montenegro. Five years ago I visited Shkoder briefly and saw a city that looked just as I had expected. Dusty streets, potholed pavements, the paint coming off the houses, relatively few shops and cafés.
This year I returned and found newly paved streets, freshly painted or totally restored houses, new parks and an abundance of shops and cafés. Modern buildings were growing like mushrooms all over. This picture would not have been possible five years ago.
In a workshop is another picture of Shkoder as it looks today.

swiatopelk777, Wandering_Dan, Jonathan_Tree, bukitgolfb301, ellelloo, Al83r7 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

swiatopelk777 (8264) 2009-10-29 3:06

Hi Gert!
Wonderful mosque. Nice children. Nice colors. Original shot.
Greetings from Warszawa!

agjika (194) 2009-10-29 3:53

Hi Gert,

What a wonderful composition! I love the fountain jets going up parallel with the minarets and the trees. Also the colours and the children playing, very relaxing to view. I am surprised though that it is not as busy as one might think esp as it seem to be the the middle of the day. It also interesting that there is no fencing around tha park.

Thanks for sharing.

Aleks

scroller (2883) 2009-10-29 7:31

Hej Gert,
An interesting reflection from the new Albania. The playground looks very much like the swedish Hags from Aneby. Anyway, I like the different vertical lines displayed the minaret, water and the houses etc.
Hälsningar
Stefan

saxo042 (15514) 2009-10-29 8:07

Hej Gert,
A very modern and colourful view! The the angle between those yellow springs and the red-and-blue helter-skelter is an important part of your composition. Fine WS too, could that be a "private import"?
Hälsningar
Gunnar

nirvana73 (8628) 2009-10-29 12:27

Hello Gert
i like this face of the Albania
good colors and light
very nice daily scene
thanks for sharing
best regards
Ozhan

Wandering_Dan (3211) 2009-10-29 13:26

Hi, Gert -

Very interesting presentation of the changes in Albania. This is important to know.

Nice composition, too.

Regards,
Dan

emka (21217) 2009-10-29 23:57

Hi Gert,

Nice picture, very colourful. I like the slim minarets. Yes, albania is still the country we do not know much.

regards

Malgorzata

Jonathan_Tree (4233) 2009-10-30 1:33

Hi Gert!
Very fine children, nice place, very interesting architecture in the background. Amazing towers, amazing mosque. Superb colors.
Cordially!

pattabe (415) 2009-10-30 2:13

Hi Gert,

Great composition, and wonderful of bright colors, well captured,
Have a nice weekend.

Regards Freddy (Bangkok)

bukitgolfb301 (4576) 2009-10-30 16:18

Hello my dear Gert

What a heartwarming shot!
Good composition, soft focusing and color contrast are outstanding usual! The vertical lines in this picture makes stableness, that is quite effective.
Anyway congratulation on your masterpiece!
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a nice happy Saturday !

Takero

kschanna (2634) 2009-11-02 2:21

Hello Gert,

What could be better symbolism than to include children when alluding to the future. Colors are fine and the picture exudes life.

Thanks for sharing
Kamran

ellelloo (4735) 2009-11-02 10:54

Hej Gert,
A colourful and pleasant photo with a good composition. I also like the composition with the diagonals and the good perspective impression. Beautiful light and natural colours, a relaxing atmosphere. TFS!
Hälsningar,
Lasse

Waylim (10741) 2009-11-08 16:52

Hi Gert,
I like it, it show the very innocent part of the daily life here. I don't know much about Albainia, but judging form this image, life is fairly good, Beautiful garden and playground, nice mosque and some modern architecture on the background, the fountain is alos a lovely feature. the only thing that suggest this may still be a poorer country are the trash that is laying around. Good shot, with lovely colors and details, and a cheerful atmosphere. Thanks Gert.
Way