A tower of Viru Gate Photo

Photographer’s Note

Only two towers remain of the eastern gate of Old Tallinn, Viru gate (Viru Värav), which was built in the 14th century. Most photos taken from the gate include both towers and a view though them either towards the old town or towards the new town with the modern Viru hotel in the middle, which does not fit well with the middle age structures.

My shot shows only one of the towers and the building attached to it. It was an overcast weather, so there were no good contrasts. Some tall houses of the new town are visible behind the still leafless trees.

The map mark is set to the place where I was standing. The two towers can be seen on right of it, the one in my photo is the lower one (the southernmost).

Geocode: 59.436587,24.750137
-----------
Medieval forts, which first appeared during the early development of the medieval city in the latter 13th century, surrounded the downtown to create a closed defense zone. Constant additions and improvements meant that, by the 16th century, Tallinn boasted one of the most powerful and strongest defense systems in Northern Europe. The town wall was then 3m thick and 16m high, stretching 4km around the city, and connecting 46 defense towers. Today, 2km of the original wall and 26 of the towers remain intact.

holmertz, saxo042, Cretense, fanni has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (9284) 2009-04-28 7:09

Hej Lasse,
You couldn't do anything about the grey sky, but actually it fits the grey stones very well. The tower and the adjacent building are so relatively small that they radiate a kind of intimacy and cosiness, partly also thanks to the tree growing out of it. You were very lucky - or patient - to find one person on each side of the tower, covering the emptiness of the open space.
Hälsningar,
Gert

Buin (36852) 2009-04-28 7:17

Hallo Lasse!
Even it's only a rest of these fortifications - it's still impressive. Your angle to show this was chosen skillfully. These old structures in a modern town always again are a realfeast for the eyes. This sky - by the way - doesn't disturb at all, it somehow fits to this "menacing" architecture.
Greetings from cool (12°C) and very rainy Germany!
Frank

saxo042 (15102) 2009-04-28 8:29

Hej Lasse,
A very interesting photo and I can just agree with Gert and Frank in all their opinions! For myself, I might add that the map reference always is important, I took a long time here just studying the complete defense system of this historical city!
Hälsningar
Gunnar

JudyR (785) 2009-04-28 10:34

Coming from a gray world as I do, I think it offers an opportunity to focus on detail without shadow. I especially like the vegetable stands tucked in behind the gate.

cobra112 (11202) 2009-04-28 12:20

Hi Lasse. Good POV and excellent sharp. Even if there was low light you've catched out beautiful colours.

Roberto

Longroute (8885) 2009-04-29 1:19

I think you found a good solution to take this fine gate excluding the view of the modern buildings. The few ones that remain do not disturb because are covered by the trees. Furthermore the pov you choose makes the building appear round as it is in reality thanks to the slightly oblique perspective.
It's a beautiful and interesting relic from the past and I like how it "fills" almost completely the photogram, resulting in a sense of imponence even if it's not so high. The fine textures and shapes of the building make one forget about the dull sky and the two people in the fg add vivacity and depth.
It's curious how that tree sprouted out from the base of the tower while another one seems to come out of the roof.
Another fine travel souvenir.
Have a nice day,
Donato

Cretense (54794) 2009-04-29 4:11

Hi Lasse!

Beautiful building, beautiful architecture photo, nice to include the passing people, and give us an idea of the scale. Great composition and framing, nice light managment!

Hercules

fanni (8711) 2009-04-29 23:40

Hello Lasse,
I always like compositions in your photos (let alone the subjects of them) :)
The day was grey but maybe if it had been sunny there would be a strong contrast light, and God only knows how everything would look around? :)
These two towers together look like a triangular object aiming at the sky.
I'm not always a fan of including people in photos (in the FG), but in this case these two in the FG help to see the scale and size :) in other words, they also add a touch of depth.
Warmest greetings,
Elena

mauro61 (14614) 2009-05-01 0:25

ciao Lasse,
piccola torre ben ripresa dalla tua inquadratura in una giornata di tempo avverso.
Ottima gestione della poca luce e inquadratura animata dalla presenza umanna.
ottimo lavoro.
saluti
maurizio

Silvio1953 (40771) 2009-05-01 13:41

Ciao Lasse, beautiful composition with fantastic tower, shame Grey sky, but colors are beautiful, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio