Way of the Cross Photo

Photographer’s Note

This photo was taken in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Hercegovina, on the top of hill called Krizevci (name came from križ – cross)

Medjugorje ("between the hills") has become well known in Bosnia-Hercegovina, and the world, because of six young people who claim to have seen visions of the Madonna, Queen of Peace. Beginning on June 24, 1981, the Blessed Mother appeared to, and later told the visionaries God sent her to our world to help us convert our hearts and lives back to Him.
Her message to the childrens was : “Peace, peace and only peace. Peace must reign between man and God, and between all people."

Since then, Medjugorje became a place visited by millions of pilgrims. All of them goes on the Way of the Cross on nearby hill called Krizevci. All 14 Station on the Way of the Cross consist of bronze plates created by Italian sculptor and painter Carmelo Puzzollo. After 14th station on the top of the hill was large white concrete cross made by inhabitants of Medjugorje in year 1934. All money, materials and all necessary works are done by them. As visionar’s claim Queen Of Peace told them that the building of that cross was preparation to her’s visit to them.

From the bottom of hill to the cross on the top, path along the Way of the Cross is covered with rocks, (different sizes, sharp and slippery and when rain fall watter run down the hill producing a lot of mud and climbing is not easy).

Today, 25 years after first Apparition pilgrim’s still came to Medjugorje with their’s hope and beliefs.

In the next few days I will post few more photos taken on last weekend in April on a very rainy day, to show you what pilgrims go through.

georgemoeciu, leiju, ramthakur, mpetrovic, zeca, Mistral, andreng, abulafia, Sne011 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

georgemoeciu (1148) 2006-05-03 10:51 [Comment]

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ramthakur (1501) 2006-05-03 11:11

Truly Biblical scene, Darko.
This impression is strengthened by the wide shaft of light spilling out from the blue sky.
The caped figures photographed from behind create the image of a tableau of pilgrims on their way to the Mount of Light.

anibal1285 (142) 2006-05-03 11:27

Great composition, really nice and interesting thematic, just that unfortunaly the photo do not have a good auqlity, it look noisy in several parts and the DOF is not good at all... all this things could be easily fixed with a postmastering process.

jjcordier (24634) 2006-05-03 11:59

Tous ces pèlerins qui montent vers la lumière divine, c'est vraiment très bien vu. Très bon cadrage, la ligne de personnages faisant même une croix.... vraiment une composition magnifique qui fait oublier le léger grainage de la photo.
Bravo, darko
JJ

roamermark (1588) 2006-05-03 13:36

Spectacular....great line of people drawing the eye up to the cross and the dramatic lighting. Very nicely done.

Cheers
Mark

Beatka (107) 2006-05-03 16:34

The composition and whole idea really impressive, but there must have been a postmastering process. It is visible on the left side of the rock base. The layer of sky covers the edges of the rock. So everything is real but not the sky. Regards:D greetings from Poland!

Nikofan (1086) 2006-05-03 18:05

Hello,
Great composition!
And, it appears that God, himself, made you a blinkeye(sky)!
Very nice work!
Thanks to share it!

Bernard

russte (0) 2006-05-03 18:25

Darko, just to prove the religion comes in all colours, shapes and sizes. A nice commentary on modern life. And that shaft of sunlight lifts the photo into the realms of the special. Stephen

adrost (2366) 2006-05-03 18:36

Hello Darko.

This is really good moment and amazing photo.
I like this so much.

Best regards.
adam

leiju (1683) 2006-05-04 3:55

Wonderful color and absolutely brilliant composition!
The whole picture feels unreal, and the poncho covered people aligned in various colors adds to the whole eerie feeling.
Wonderful!

alekpet (4659) 2006-05-17 5:19

Bok Darko.

Ova slika može i nevjernika naterati da vjeruje.
Ko da se sama gospa pojavljuje iz oblaka.
Odlična linija hadžija vodi pogled prema križu i dalje prema nebu.

Pozdrav, Aleksandar

Stepan (27175) 2006-05-19 1:50

A little too centered, but an impressive and mystic light, that fits pretty well to your compo. Impressive and great.
Stéphane

[workshop] [compare] +

kensimage (8541) 2006-05-25 1:30

It's a very effective composition, Darko, with the line of people forming a diagonal than leads the eye right to the cross. Nice colorful rain ponchos, too. Given that it is not a "real" scene (the sky having been transplanted from another photo), it might be more suited to TrekLens than TE, though. Regards, Ken.

zeca (20026) 2006-06-02 2:00

Hello Darko!
Very nice and strong composition! Wonderful POV and DOF! Beautiful colours and sky!
All the best!
Zeca

anthonyb (1209) 2006-06-05 23:05

Pozdrav Darko
Superb photo. This just says everything about Medjugorje without words - and more than any words can say.
Super.
All the best, Ante

colinbrenchley (6133) 2006-08-19 18:45

Darko
I would be interested to see the photo with its original sky. Often on storm wet days skies can be dramatic in their own right without transplanting one for effect. The composition with the people is strong enough to stand alone as it is.
Regards Colin

Mistral (13694) 2006-10-19 15:34

Excellent image and stunning composition with all the pilgrims walking towards enlightment!
You managed very well the light.
A smile
Luca

DragonAngel (280) 2006-11-02 9:54

Hi Darko,

I browse over your collection and I love it so much so far.. Amongst all, I pick this one as my favourites! Althoug the sky was not 'original' but the ideas and your composition makes this photo a remarkable one.

TFS.

Thanks,
DA

andreng (265) 2006-11-03 23:38

Darko
I like the angle that you have placed yourself here and the sunrays breaking through the clouds was definitely much a welcome bonus complementing nicely to this shot. A blessing from the sky one can say for the dedicated pilgrims. The cross looks like it has reached up to the clouds and penetrated the clouds. Unfortunately like you have said the sky was added. Anyways the pilgrims was definitely wishing that the light blessing will always be on them. Good effort to convey why the pilgrims comes here. TFS Andre

rbcy1974 (20742) 2006-11-17 17:46

Hello Darko
Wonderful photo, great repetition of all the raincoats which make the scene very interesting, also the light is wonderful, its as if ehaven was choosing to imuminate this procession,
very well done
Regards
Daniel

abulafia (4802) 2007-02-27 14:47

Hi Darko
good view along all these climbing pilgrims to the cross. I like the sun burst above the cross, it could look like divine light.
Some use of noise removal could have improved the grainy look though.
I like it
Harry

Zapote (16) 2007-12-14 17:08

Postmastering, indeed. I agree with Anibal. It is very obvious that you have done some terrible alterations to the photo, which is not really photography, now is it. Where's your eye, people?