Greenland and Sunshine Photo

Photographer’s Note

On an island at the mouth of the beautiful Evigshedsfjord in the Sukkertoppen region on the west coast of Greenland is found the small town of Kangamiut.

Google Earth View

Only, about 400 people now call this their home. Most of their income is in the form of welfare from the Danish government. This is supplemented by hunting and fishing.

Evidence of Early Dorset culture indicate that the area has been setteled for 4,000 years or more.
Despite the harsh winter climate, there is an abundance of fishing and hunting in the fjords and coastal waters to provide food.

In the 19th century, Kangamiut was a thriving trading town, supplying the whaling ships that hunted along this coast.

Not many get to visit here, and even fewer are lucky enough to experience a beautiful day like this one in September.

The photograph was taken from a helipad perched above the town. It made us think about what happens if there is a medical emergency here. The unfortunate patient would have to be carried to the top of the hill by hand, up a vertiginous and crumbling stairway, passing the ancient cemetery along the way. Not so bad in summer, but when the temperature is -40º and there is snow and ice as far as the eye can see, it does not sound pleasant.

If you are interested in native legends, you might enjoy the story of Utereetsok's Journey to the Far North, a tale from this area.

cobraphil8, Quentin, chicken, lennarts, dmcloughlin, brasiu, venne, jrleborgne, toddadams has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Quentin (5278) 2005-11-22 2:42

Hi Peter
What a beautiful view! These colourfull houses are really
nice. The DOF is very good too and your note is interesting.
A well composed and interesting photo. Good job
Reagrds
Quentin

[2]

THAR (3291) 2005-11-22 2:45

Amusant toutes ces petites maisons colorées.Dommage que le cadrage ne soit que très moyen:le plan d'eau penche vers la gauche,...

[2]

cobraphil8 (11652) 2005-11-22 3:20

Great view in this village and your note is interesting.
I like the colors of little houses.
Well done

lennarts (547) 2005-11-22 15:47

Lovely photo. The colorful houses are great! And special thanks for a thorough and very informative note - especially I applaude for bringing in the Google Earth link!
To critique your photo - it seems to be tilted CCW. Well, this could be easily corrected.
Thanks again!

[2]

rbcy1974 (20742) 2005-11-22 18:12

Hello Peter,
Great view from a litlle photographed location,
nice sparkle of coloured houses against this background,
beautiful deep colours
well done
Regards
Dnaiel

PAJ (143) 2005-11-25 15:20

It is a very nice picture. Houses look like toys at the sea. The composition is also very good.
Best wishes,
Ola

jemaflor (39453) 2005-11-27 14:30

Hi Peter,
Very nice view, light is perfect and lovely colours houses too, well framed.

boarbert (0) 2005-12-13 22:28

Wow, amazing photo!!!! The houses perced on the rock are an extremely interesting subject matter, due to the way that they seem to dot the rock in no particular pattern, and no particular arrangement of colour. Great composition and deep colours as well; love it!

dmcloughlin (8) 2005-12-19 16:40

Peter,
Sharp, colourful and good contrast. I would agree with some other writers that the horizon needs adjusted slightly.
Darren.

caresp (763) 2006-01-09 12:11 [Comment]

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paulianthomas (264) 2006-02-11 6:00

Amazing picture, one of my all time favourites. I am very jealous of you :)

venne (2759) 2006-02-19 10:53

J'aime beaucoup cette photo avec ses maisons colorées. On voit rarement des images de ce pays.
Bien vu et bien fait, bravo.

hoorge (1434) 2006-09-06 21:25

The various colors of the houses makes them stand out and enhances the picture. The dof and pov as well as composition is very good. The picture is clear and crisp.

jrleborgne (1038) 2006-09-26 16:39

Hello Peter,

Great scenery. The frame is very good.
Awesome colours. Rare region to be photographed.
Those colours are implemented in order to prevent depression from occuring , during polar wintry periods.

toddadams (566) 2006-10-14 15:00

What a fascinating, rarely seen part of the world. Great color, clarity, and composition. This photo really puts you in the scene and has a great sense of place. Excellent note.

sabine04 (429) 2006-11-26 5:59

really amazing colours of the houses! simply a great shot!

Sabine