The unbearable lightness of not hoping Photo

Photographer’s Note

Somehow, in a strange way, this one is a "continuation" of my two previous posts - notes ( Greece, the cradle of Democracy? and Athens is burning) and "closing the "subject".

On the tomb of Greece's greatest writter, Nikos Kazantzakis in Iraklios, Crete, it is written:
"I hope nothing
I fear nothing
I am free"

Kazantzakis was strongly influenced by Budhism at some period of his life, and it seems that while seing the end aproaching he achieved some kind of "Nirvana".

Unfortunately, not everybody is a budhist. Most of us, need to hope for something, need to make dreams for a better future. The lack of hope might be "reasonable" or inevitable for an elder man, like the one in photo, sitting on the bench on the lakeside road of Ioannina. The lack of hope, might mean "freedom", but this kind of freedom is unbearable for the young men and women of the world.

The young ones without hope, the desperate ones, have nothing to lose. Their reaction to a depressive society, to a violent state, to those who steal their hopes and dreams will be unpredictable.

Beware of the hopeless! For some are the major threat! For some others, the hopeless are the only hope left!

danos, Budapestman, npecanhuk, TGULUMSER, Vames, amaryllis, elendim, bostankorkulugu, azaf1, portmanndominic, vasilpro, coco, Dyerco, zeynepe, hrschwartz, jonathan_hart, dareco, kpav, molla, ciakgiak, stelli, gepall, gilou530, Angelillo, pablominto, oana79 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

npecanhuk (13595) 2008-12-11 9:33

Hello Hercules!
Nicely composed image, with wonderful autumnal colors, correct and beautiful brightness and excellent sharpness! A very pleasant and peaceful picture! The "maybe" thoughtful old man is a real highlight in this one!
As for your protests, I was sort of surprised by them! It's kind of sad and disappointing to know that right in the middle of Europe, in the "craddle of democracy" - your words, the same problems we face here in Brazil exist in Greece, your Country! Hopefully, this fact won't ever mean that the World has no solution! I hope not and I agree with your thoughts!
My warmest regards,
Neyvan

bema (8619) 2008-12-11 9:36

Kalispera Hercules,

beautiful capture with fine autumnal colors and, so i think,
a very fine portrait..

have a nice evening, Yassou Bernd

danos (32170) 2008-12-11 9:59

Ηρακλή καλησπέρα,
ευτυχώς που η νεολαία και όχι μόνο δεν κάθεται σκεπική,συλλογισμένη και με τα χέρια σταυρωμένα σαν τον παππού της φωτογραφίας σου.Ωραίο το Φθινοπωρινό περιβαλλον μέσα στο πάρκο αυτό των Ιωαννίνων με τα γήινα χρώματα και το απαλό φωτεισμό.

Σε χαιρετώ,Δάνος

Budapestman (41530) 2008-12-11 10:00

Hi Hercules,
The photo is very expressive again. Nobody may take away the hope from the peoples. The faith may not be taken away from the peoples. I am hoping for the quick change. Take care!
George

dip (12532) 2008-12-11 10:10

Geia sou Irakli,
poli omorfi i fotografia,to simeioma sou epireasmeno apo ta gegonota ton teleutaion imeron,
mataiodoksia einai to teleutaio pragma pou xreiazomaste tora,
einai kai auta ta MME vlepeis,
ego kai pisteuo kai elpizo se kaluteres meres,
leuteros eimai etsi ki'allios :)))
Na'sai kala,
Dimitris.

TGULUMSER (12484) 2008-12-11 10:46

Hello Hercules,
Great composition with meaningful notes. I believe that there is always hope. That's in the character of the nature. My father says that the black day blackens no more. Please keep your hopes, tomorrow is in the hands of the youth.
Best regards,
Tulay

mesutilgim (36581) 2008-12-11 10:59

Hi dear Hercules, my dear friend with a great heart and great brain !

The third and last one of your triology is a perfect final.
Great pov, and perfect compo with perfect lights, colors and amazing notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Vames (4356) 2008-12-11 11:50

γεια σου Ηρακλή,νατ αν δυο φορές τα νιάτα,ωραία λήψη με πολύ σκεπτικισμό.

amaryllis (17315) 2008-12-11 14:45

bonjour Hercules
une belle photo automnale de cet homme pensif sur son banc, de belles couleurs et une bonne netteté
tout a l'air si calme, personne d'autre que lui
Croisons les doigts pour que tout s'arrange
juliette

elendim (1677) 2008-12-11 15:13

Γεια σου Ηρακλη!
Πολυ ομορφη φθινοπωρινη φωτογραφια με υπεροχη αυρα!
Ο παππουλης ειναι ολα τα λεφτα!
Δεν θα σχολιασω κατι για τα γεγονοτα των ημερων γιατι πλεον τα λογια ειναι περιττα!

Ελενα!

bostankorkulugu (33508) 2008-12-11 16:54

oh come on cheer up a bit irakli mou... we admire what you ve been experiencing lately... at least you react!... we are zombies out here, without any reaction to much more severe stuff going on around us... we are the hopeless ones, not you... so hold your head up and fight for a future so bright... cos you have all you need in your blood...

a beautiful symbolic shot this is of course, along with your touching note...

all the best brother... take care...

korkut

azaf1 (15541) 2008-12-11 23:45

Elpizo oti kapote tha vroume tin lisi...
To kadro iperoxo me ton papou.
Argiris

sweet_universe (1693) 2008-12-12 1:21

Ciao!!!
How are you? I was out....
What a beautiful autumnal colours!
Excellent POV, colors and light.
I like very very much.
Congratulations.
Cheers,
Marco

vasilpro (8408) 2008-12-12 1:22

Καλημέρα Ηρακλή
Υπέροχα φθινοπωρινά χρώματα και σύνθεση. Ο παππούς στο παγκάκι προσθέτει και ζωή στο όλο το σκηνικό.
Ωραία λήψη, Βασίλης.

portmanndominic (2388) 2008-12-12 1:23

Kalimera Irakli

good capture , beautiful colours , you make a special mood picture , when we see your picture and read your note and think about the evement in Greece , we think
thanks to you for that
good week end
filika
Dominic

delkoo (34140) 2008-12-12 1:42

hi hercules
Undoubtely the direct connection with the man lost in this thoughts is a boon, of what is he thinking? currently we are just spectators of what happen, in Greece, However it could be the start of a big European revolution.

ta leme
didier

Dyerco (9008) 2008-12-12 6:55

Hi Hercules
A well exposed shot with this gentleman in deep thought. I wonder if he ponders his future or laments his past. Well done.
Phil

zeynepe (9342) 2008-12-12 8:39

Hope is the key to everything.Please keep on hoping, everything will be better soon.
Hercules, I can't write anything about the photo now as your note is so stronger than this wonderful image.
Best regards ,
have a nice and peaceful weekend,
Zeynep

andante (7092) 2008-12-12 9:09

La imagen esta saturada de la luz dorada, lo cual crea una ambientacion perfecta para acompañar al hombre y su actitud pensativa. Perfecta!

hrschwartz (694) 2008-12-12 11:50 [Comment]

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gneufeld (15159) 2008-12-12 13:20

Hi Hercules,
This is a very telling image given the events in your world in the past week or so. I like the very quiet and thoughtful feel that this image portrays. Well done and TFS. Gerald

jonathan_hart (22570) 2008-12-12 16:37

brilliant series, and smart notes, there is nothing more true than this, and unfortunately, seems that dark days are coming, but I hope...
framing is excellent, and so is the pose of this man you captured
regards
jc

dareco (17104) 2008-12-12 21:48

A picture and a note that really get one thinking. Very good. Excellent expression captured, and a picture that paints a thousand words. TFS

kpav (5023) 2008-12-13 2:16

Γεια σου Ηρακλή, έχω χάσει επισόδεια τελευταία καθώς έλειπα εκτός. Καταπληκτικές οι φωτογραφίες σου και τα σημειώματά σου άκρως καυστικά. Χαιρετώ φίλε,
Κώστας.

molla (6883) 2008-12-13 2:56

Hercules
Life is trouble, Only Death is not. To be alive is to undo your belt and look for trouble!
same author
I just couldn't resist
like your POM ( point of meaning ) friend
cheers Anders

gepall (1808) 2008-12-13 3:19

Φίλε μου Ηρακλή γειά σου,
Δε θα ήθελα να σταθώ στα χρώματα και στο καδράρισμα της φωτογραφίας σου αλλά θα ήθελα να σταθώ στο συναίσθημα.

Μιά καλή φωτογραφία μπορεί να είναι όμορφη άψογη τεχνικά αλλά η διαφορά της με μία ΠΟΛΥ ΚΑΛΗ για μένα είναι το συναίσθημα που δημιουργεί στον θεατή και η φωτογραφία σου τα έχει ΟΛΑ και κυρίως βγάζει συναίσθημα.

ΕΥΓΕ

ciakgiak (10482) 2008-12-13 7:22

Ciao Hercules,
questa è una di quelle foto che non si dimenticano, assieme alle bellissime note con cui è corredata.
Quest'uomo solitario sulla panchina mi fa molto pensare e riflettere sul significato della speranza e della libertà. Grazie per avermi fatto partecipe di questo emozionante momento.
Ti auguro uno splendido week end amico mio.
Giorgio

stelli (2941) 2008-12-13 8:34

This is an interesting and very good composition! Wonderful note, keep thinking and expressing yourself! I'd like to believe that not all hope is lost, yet! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

gilou530 (34999) 2008-12-13 11:31

salut hercules
une photo intimiste de ce vieil homme entrain de méditer qui respire le calme et la sérénité, avec les couleurs d'automne c'est un plus pour les couleurs, beau travail
amitiés
gilbert

Angelillo (9065) 2008-12-14 13:31

Hola Hércules...

Admiro a Kazantzakis, aunque no estoy muy seguro de que no esperar sea bueno para el hombre (al menos aquí, en la Tierra)... Pero la foto ex muy expresiva, acompaña bien al título y a la nota. Me impresiona esta soledad, y la belleza que la rodea y la evoca. No es sólo que esté muy bien hecha la foto, con bellos colores y composición. Es lo que evoca... Me gusta.

Un saludo,
Angel.

coco (27754) 2008-12-15 0:44

Kalimera Hercules.

El tercer día que voy a escribir una crítica a esta foto (es lo que tiene no tener internet en casa).

Los colores de la foto son realmente espléndidos. Me gustan mucho.
Son muy otoñales y a la vez muy cálidos.

La composición es buena, pero es la presencia de ese hombre lo que le confiere un qué especial.

Y, claro, especial atención a la nota.

Ta leme, file mou.

pablominto (40390) 2008-12-16 0:01

Hello Hercules,

The autumn atmosphere is strongly enhanced by including the old man!
Wonderful colour palette and the composition is well balanced with an eye-catching diagonal....
This is a moody autumn image, very well done!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Khattakphoto (676) 2009-02-01 5:43

Hello Hercules
Great composition with meaningful notes. I believe that there is always hope. That's in the character of the nature.

Best regards
Hanif Khattak

Photo Information

Copyright: Hercules Milas (Cretense) (55620)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-11-20
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, 77 mm circular polariser,HOYA
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): My portraits [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-11 9:23
Favorites: 1 [view]