Colorful Bulgaria Photo

Photographer’s Note

I took this photo in the late afternoon in the beautiful city of Nesebur. Nesebur is a very old fishing village on the Black Sea full of Byzantine church ruins and cobblestoned streets. The nearby beaches are wide and beautiful, and the shopping in the Old Town is varied and interesting (although very touristy!).

Nesebur is one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria. The ancient polis Mesambria appears in the 6th C. B.C. in the place of the Thracian settlement Melsabria (2nd-1st millennium B.C.). Invaded by the Romans (1st C. B.C.), conquered by Khan Kroum in 812 and annexed to the Bulgarian state.

Its efflorescence as a sea port and cultural centre is reached under Tsar Ivan Aleksandur (1331-1371).

About 1452 Nesebur falls under Ottoman yoke and the fortified walls are demolished. During the Bulgarian National Revival the town is revived anew. It develops as a fishing and vine-growing centre. Since antiquity to the present day there have been preserved sections of the fortified wall, towers, a gate, sanctuaries, inscriptions, reliefs.

The medieval churches are remarkable sites of Nesebur. In the past these have been more than 40, but only a few are still standing. The basilicas, most famous among these - the Old Bishopric, are early Christian. The construction and the plastic decorative peculiarities of the Nesebur churches, dating back to the 10th-14th centuries, sets them apart in a separate group, characteristic with the picturesque design of facades. The mural ornamentation of each church constitutes a unique harmony of stone, red brick, variegated ceramic rosettes and circular plates. The cross-dome churches are represented by St. John the Baptist Church (10th-11th centuries), Sts. Archangels Michael and Gavrail Church (13th C.), Pantokrator Church (14th C.) and St. John Alyturgetos Church (14th C.). St. Todor and St. Paraskeva churches are single-naved, St. Stephen Church (the New Bishopric) is a basilica.

I liked this simple scene of fishing boats in the harbor. It was a good contrast to the bustle of the tourist area.

dareco, wgreis, xuaxo, hderin has marked this note useful

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batalay (21416) 2007-09-17 18:51

Hello Alli,

A beautifully composed shot, with brilliant colors and exposure, accompanied by a succinct but informative note. I've seen Varna on the Black Sea coast of bulgaria, but I am not familiar with Nesebur.

Warm regards from Virginia,

Bulent

PJE (19575) 2007-09-17 19:14

Alli the semi circular positioning of these boats in the afternoon lighting looks to me that this photo opportunity was waiting for you to discover. Very good balance framing these together. Excellent capture Alli!

dareco (17104) 2007-09-17 19:21

Simple but beautiful. A nice composition. Great colors. A peaceful place. TFS

Miks (1707) 2007-09-17 19:37

I love the texture on the water and the reflections. And you do a good job of filling the frame here. Perhaps, a little space over the boats would have been good? The boats in the upper right seem a little crammed in there. Nitpicks, its a lovely scene!

best,
Mikkel

erguvan (759) 2007-09-17 20:43 [Comment]

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Tort (2266) 2007-09-18 6:39

Hi Alli
Fascinating image, the composition and colors are very attractive. I like the fine reflection and the spectacular details. Lights are beautiful, clarity superb.
Best regards
Juan Tort

wgreis (6330) 2007-09-18 16:20

Hi Alli,
It's a long time that you don't post anything. This is a very good compo. I like the colors and definitions. Note is great too.
Regards,
Wagner.

paololg (14551) 2007-09-19 12:25

Ciao Alli,
perfect clearness, beautiful reflection and colours.
I like it, brava!
Paolo.

xuaxo (5911) 2007-09-20 14:57

Beautiful light and colors.
F

plimrn (19872) 2007-09-20 21:31

Hi Ali,
The light is excellent and it gives you excellent clarity of colors and b=eautiful reflections. The note is interesting although is seems only marginally related to the photo.
HLJ, Pat

hderin (596) 2007-09-23 16:28

Hi Alli,

Excelllent photograph. Very very nice colours and lovely soft light in your composition. Reflections are giving vitality. Congratulations!

Best regards

Haluk Derinöz

bazal (7898) 2007-10-17 6:49

Hi Alli.
That's a very nice and simple composition with a brilliant light. I like the tight crop around the small boats and the way the light is reflected on the texture of the painted wood.
Thanks for sharing!