A rainy day in a bottle Photo

Photographer’s Note

It was a rainy day in Colmar when I took this photograph. This would only happen to me. Why am I complaining? Because in spite of being located in the French department of Haut Rhin (Alsace region), Colmar benefits from a sunny micro climate and is considered the driest city in France, with an annual precipitation of just 550 mm.

Well this rainy day was perhaps not the best to take photographs, but it was definitely a good one to wander in the cellars of the region tasting the wine. I’m not really a fan of white wine, particularly if it has a German influence, but the scientific world was after my body and I just couldn’t refuse, on behalf of humankind.

Made a geographic tour of the Alsacian grapes, just to check if the AOC label is being respected in the region. While my son was debating with a Flamenküche, I spent the whole day plunging my nose in the Sylvaner, followed by a Muscat, and a Riesling, not forgetting a Klevener de Heiligenstein and of course the Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Pinot auxerrois etc, etc, etc.

I don’t know how the day ended. It was still raining though because I can remember my feet were wet.

robiuk, cmartos, Proxilva, mikee, gaby, cgrindahl, Suh has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

robiuk (10763) 2005-05-24 16:52

Aaaaaaa-ha-ha-ha, great note Gal; but you managed to get a photo!
You must've had a sip or two too many as how else to explain this little part of the sky in the upper left corner!? (okay, at least it's blue so I forgive you!)
;-D
Great play with perspective, again, and not only achieved by inclusion of that tiny part of the corner on the far left, but also taking a step back to include these iron protective posts in the very foreground.
It wouldn't be you if the scene wasn't near a gallery or some other cultural institution and when it's accompanied by these fine window shutters (all wide open!), the pleasure can't be bigger!
Thanks,
Robi
PS. I'm very fond of Sylvaner, myself - especially after some nice roast pork and sauerkraut!

dom_inik_m (1707) 2005-05-24 17:11

Il ne manquait plus qu'une représentation des Ondins en tournée pour parachever le tout, non ?
Et hop ! Et hips ! Et youpi...
Personnellement, j'aurais préféré que tu appuies sur le déclencheur une fraction de seconde plus tôt, au moment précis où l'objet de toutes tes attentions passait sous l'enseigne, pile entre les deux plots. Mais avec ton taux d'alcoolémie, tu as droit à toutes les excuses, non ? Tant que tu ne prenais pas le volant, du moins... ;-)
PS Très jolie, cette délicate complémentarité entre
bleu, vert et jaune ! Si, si, j'insiste.
Bonsoir Gal...

gringofil (0) 2005-05-25 12:00

Not sure about this one, Gal. The kid is just a bit lost in all the scenery and it is very hard for me to think of the little guy as the focal point of this shot. Perhaps if he was going towards and not away from for us the shot would have been much better. I do like the muted colors and the buildings make a wonderful backdrop...I just wish the character was a bit more prominent in the frame.

jiherka (4465) 2005-05-25 17:45

Nice composition, with colours that are making a special effect compared to the grey of the road.
Well done Gal

Rinie_Hoff (9334) 2005-05-28 3:27

Hi Gal, if it weren't for your son, the picture gives a strong idea that it's an old postcard coloured in later.
Seems like a place to be, Colmar, no tourists ;-), and a lot of wine. I'm with you as far as the colour concerned, yesterday it was about 30 degr. Celsius, and then it's OK to have a white wine
I like the way your boy is so determined in his step, as if he certainly knows where he's going, I guess he's like his dad, but I would prefer him to walk UP to you instead of away from you, especially with this determination.
Cheers, Gal, I hope the hangover wasn't that bad ;-)Any change of opinion regarding the white wine after that day?

cmartos (6086) 2005-05-31 9:52

Celle-la je ne l'aime pas. Sombre, pas tres nette, la balance de couleurs semble egalement decalee...Le cadrage a egalement peu de force, vide au premier plan, trop vide. Pas ton style de bacler ainsi, mais la note est encore une fois excellente. Et si tu revenais?

A++

Proxilva (2157) 2005-06-16 14:33

ciao Gal...

when you dive into the bottle, don't forget to take your shoes off!!! have you learned nothing from wine tasting then...

that's why in holland we have the clogs ;) (they float)...

nice photo, lots of poles in the way, can be a bad combination with the tasty beverages the serve in the cellars...

see you
Jorrit

mikee (1983) 2005-06-16 21:21

Good one Gal! I missed quite a few of your photographs.
The few rainy days the region receives and you've got them ;)
Tasting wine in Alsace... hm, what a life!
You must be one happy camper :) although too much of anything cannot good.

A typical view of Alsace. I like those little historic towns of Alsace and you have captured the ambience very well. I like the dim mood in your photograph. The little boy is a welcomed refreshing and dynamic element in this otherwise quaint and sleepy setting. Well seen. Great composition.

mike

gaby (19793) 2005-06-25 13:22

Hi Gal,
Merci de cette splendide photo de Colmar qui me rappelle tant de souvenirs (j'ai beaucoup chassé dans la région) et tant de bons restaurants !!!
Les couleurs et la luminosité sont formidables -
Bon dimanche
Merci
Gaby