Photographer's Note
Old steel on wheels,
oh, five brothers...
This is an old shot of five abandonned cranes along the river Scheldt. The weather being lousy as it is, I decided to stay in and try and ressucitate some older pictures.
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Here's my short history of the port of Antwerp...
The name Antwerp comes from 'anda verpum', which refers to its position on the oustide of a bend in the river Scheldt.
In the 16th century Antwerp was the Europe's busiest port. Then it fell victim to a sectarian war, as a result of which the Low Countries were split in two and the port of Antwerp became blocked for centuries.
In the late 18th century Napoleon saw the port of Antwerp as "a revolver aimed at the heart of England" and brought the harbour back to life.
Of course, it was he himself who was defeated some time later...but his efforts proved to be enough for Antwerp to reclaim its position as a world harbour.
Since then the natural curves of the river Scheldt have been straightened (ouch!) for bigger ships to dock. And, as the harbour became bigger, it left the city and moved north towards the Dutch border.
Remnants of the old port are still visible in and near the old town, including some old cranes. I guess they belong to the city museum, or maybe they just got left behind.
Sad old monsters...
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ISO-300
Critiques | Translate
dta
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3918 W: 251 N: 6425]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(51510) 2013-01-04 2:43
Hello Benny ,
J'aime bien ce sujet . Les anciennes grues rouillées sont toujours impressionnantes , et même prsque belles , quand la lumière amplifie leur contraste avec le ciel bien bleu , comme ici .
Amicalement
jhm
(122490) 2013-01-04 3:38
Dag Benny,
Deze oude kranen vormen een decoratief zicht in Antwerpse haven, nu is alles o zo modern, vroeger kon men zien wat er gelost of geladen werd, nu zijn het allemaal containers.
Ik ben nog als vakantie jongen mee geweest om de koepel barrakken te helpen afbreken, 14 dagen in 1955, toe stonden daar nog duizende nieuwe motoren, meestal lister en gardner, opgevist uit het water, overblijfselen van de oorlog.
Goede scherpe foto, met passende kleuren.
Mooi weekend,
John
sevy
(13273) 2013-01-04 3:43
Benny,
Nice also this post. I like the color contrast between yellow and blue.
Perhaps I have to review the calibration of my screen but it appears to me the final setting is a bit too 'dark'. Unless it was your choice to make the rust more visible?
Yves.
dkmurphys
(36857) 2013-01-04 8:02
Hi Benny,
Very fine industrial composition. I like the contrast of colors and the rusty tones. Well taken.
Daniel
brianmcc
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 560 W: 0 N: 978]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(5536) 2013-01-04 12:52
hi benny,
the golden yellow tones of the metal contrasted against the vivid blue sky is superb and visually very effective. the lines and shapes of the metal structure have helped you create a very interesting image.
have a lovely weekend,
brian
bukitgolfb301
(30111) 2013-01-04 15:11
Hi dear Benny, how are you?
Wonderful mechanical and iron image, so impressive.
Bold close-up makes good sense and adds powerful image too. Getting good daylight and vivid color contrast by that is very pleastnto see. Thank you for your sharing with finest work and have a good Sat.
Takero from cold Tokyo
GiovanniG
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 177 W: 37 N: 77]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(1619) 2013-01-04 21:55
Ciai Benny,
Wonderful composition with great perspective and light. Well done Benny!
GiovanniG
siolaw
(37568) 2013-01-06 5:06
Hi Benny,
That is an interesting post combined with an informative note about Antwerp's history... I did not know about the Napoleon episode...!
Good light on the derelict metallic structure contrasting well with the blue sky.
Contact me when you come to PP, I am often there!
Greetings
Laurent
maloutim
(8626) 2013-01-07 19:11
Hi Benny,
This is a great shot with the bright colour of the entertwined old cranes contrasting well with the neat, blue sky ! Very good management of light and sharpness.
Interesting note about the history of Antwerp.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Marie-Louise.
PS. In the old port of Nantes, France, they have refurbished two old Titan cranes, as part of the open air industrial museum HERE , and HERE
Juzo
(4242) 2013-01-18 0:20
Hi Benny,
A true port city picture, I always think of the cover of Kim Salmon and the Surrealists' "Sin Factory" LP when I see industrial shots. I makes me want to head out to the port and industrial area's and find some rust and some grit, and some graphical gratification.
Cheers
Justin
Eric_vd
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 28 W: 10 N: 57]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(283) 2013-02-22 3:15
Mooie foto met contrasterende kleuren en mooi eacht licht.
De foto doet me denken aan mijn beginjaren als onderhouds elektricien, heb toch enkele van zo een kranen van zeer dichtbij gezien;
Knap werk!!!
mesutilgim
(68036) 2013-03-20 5:28
Hello Benny,
Good obeserved and good captured.
A roasted compo of aged caranes captured with a perfect pov and layout.
Great graphical effect and many interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Benny Verbercht (BennyV)
(12793)
- Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2008-12-29
- Categories: Architecture, Ruins
- Camera: Nikon D40
- Exposure: f/5.6, 1/2000 seconds
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Theme(s): Pictures of Home [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2013-01-04 2:14
Discussions
- To jhm: bedankt (1)
by BennyV, last updated 2013-01-04 03:48 - To sevy: dark (1)
by BennyV, last updated 2013-01-04 03:51 - To Juzo: graph grats & sin factories (1)
by BennyV, last updated 2013-01-20 02:41
