victim of communism - half a man? Photo

Photographer’s Note

I took this photo nearly a year ago but it still evokes many feelings in me. This is a part of "Victims of the Communism Regime" monument in Prague (below Petrin hill if you go from Ujezd). The first statue is a full man and every other one takes a bit out of him. The last one (at the end of the stairs you can see in behind) is more like a block of metal than a person.

Bjostad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nikkN6 (328) 2006-12-03 10:04

Nice picture!
Great contrast of the figure with the white of the snow!

Nikos

Bjostad (304) 2006-12-03 10:18

At first this looks like some kind of optical illusion, but your note helps explain and bring good meaning to the image. Good use of the statue in focus but the stairs not. I don't seem to see the block of metal at the end of the stairs that you describe. Nice photo--
Dave

berke (154) 2006-12-03 10:22

Hi,
I liked composition and subject.Sharp and dramatic image.TFS...

rigoletto (26774) 2006-12-03 11:24

Hi Ondrej,
For the time being, it seems that checking your page once a day will become a routine for me.
Focused subject and blurred background is effective. The snow adds melancholy, especialy when it is also on the head and shoulders of the "victim". Though I do not agree with the meaning of the artwork, I appreciate the work you represent. Due to my imagination, choosing B&W and increasing the contrast could end up in a more dramatic result.
Cheers,
Deniz

BobTrips (1853) 2006-12-03 23:34

Strong image. Well shot in terms of focus, exposure, etc.

Seems to me that including so much of the stairs makes them a secondary subject in the image and that takes (for me) a bit away from your main subject.

I posted a Workshop where I cropped away some of the left in order to illustrate my thinking.

I also cloned some of the dark areas out of the background.

[workshop] [compare] +

Kenggaroo (807) 2006-12-04 23:27

Hello Ondrej,
It's a very outstanding subject that worth shooting. Excepect the meaning of the statue by itself, the half-body form is great. It stands out from the snow and soft step background nicely.
Great idea title,
kenggaroo

maki (0) 2006-12-09 19:05

Ahoj Ondrej,
Very good expression and a symbol of these times. I like how this monument is contrasting with a white snow in the background. Good idea and observation about past time in our countries,
regards from Warsaw,
maki

nbj (1871) 2006-12-12 5:13

hi ondrej,
what a great sculpture! i like the sense of coldness you get from the metal and the snow. well done!

andreng (265) 2006-12-13 22:47

Ondrej
From your thumbnail view, this shot attracted me immediately. It is certainly a interesting shot. The stairs in the background is certainly a kind of a distraction for sure as I find my eyes keep going there. I am not sure if you explored other angles that you can use instead of taking a direct shot like you did. If I had time there I would explore a very early morning sunlight on this figurine.

zenterre (142) 2006-12-21 21:29 [Comment]