Speed Skates Photo

Photographer’s Note

Dutch Skates,
Delft, The Netherlands

Scene
A display of old strap-on ice skates that have been painted with old Dutch skating scenes. This display was in front of an antiques store in Delft where the dealer was trying to sell souvenirs’ to the many tourists. What caught my attention was the simplicity of the display.

Background
My wife and I decided to spend a few days in Amsterdam on our return trip from Africa last fall. Neither of us had been to Amsterdam, other than to pass through, so we felt it would make a nice break. Seven days in Amsterdam was a bit too much as we saw the main attractions in the first several days. We were getting board with Amsterdam so we decided to take a train trip to Delft with is about 45-minutes south of Amsterdam. The day was bright and sunny and Delft, the town of pottery and Vermeer, was very picturesque. When I first saw this scene in front of the antiques shop I thought of Han Christian Andersen and the Silver Skates, but realized later he was Danish and not Dutch. But, the one thing that does come to mind are the Dutch speed skaters and the 18th-century paintings of the Dutch skating on the canals. Today the canals rarely freeze over hard enough to support skating, but still the Dutch excel in the spot of speed skatiing.

dareco, erthmuffin, plimrn, crhieatt, jhm has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dareco (17024) 2009-06-07 8:18

A very interesting picture! I love to skate!! The artwork is awesome as well. Gee I would love to own a collection like this. Excellent detail. TFS

erthmuffin (1501) 2009-06-07 9:56

very interesting. i appreciate the fact that i couldn't figure out what i was looking at without reading your note.

nice tight composition. well done and well seen.

cheers!

stego (22340) 2009-06-07 12:38

Hi John,
Interesting form of handicraft. I wouldn't identify what they are if it wasn't your note. I agree with you that the simplicity of the display is quite attractive and you took good profit of it in the compo. The slanted POV and the tight crop look much more interesting than other choices. The texture of the wood also contributes to the beauty the image. Being too picky, I wonder if the crop on the lowest skate is the best idea, but knowing you as I do, I guess that the alternatives were worse.

Regards,
José

plimrn (19558) 2009-06-07 16:10

Hi John,
A fascinating composition. I wonder how the skates stayed on with only one point of attachment. The leather bindings remind me of the skis on which Larry learned to ski, just long leather straps over the toe, but these appear to be at the ankle. The paintings are an attractive addition.
HLJ, Pat

crhieatt (5143) 2009-06-09 4:30

John,

Maybe I'm a bit dull this morning, but even with the title "speed skates" - I still couldn't figure out what this was from the thumbnail. I guess "speed skates" is just so much not a part of my vocabulary or experience that it summons no associations from the (deep dark) depths of my mind - particularly in relation to these "feathery" looking items. So, I was surprised to find "speed skates"!!!!!

Surprised and delighted - I should say - by this simple and effective shot. It's easy to understand your initial attraction to the display, and I think your portrayal of it, makes that clear.

Cheers
Colin

jhm (81817) 2009-06-13 0:57

Hello John,

So see I my first skates of 60 year ago.
Sharpness and clarity are superb.
Composition and presentation are very well. TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

gunbud (27585) 2009-06-13 6:57

Hi John,
A Wonderful bit of Dutch memorabilia are these shinny antique skates.
The clear details really pop right out of the frame with the old bare board making the ideal backdrop for such an image.
Regards, Tom

pablominto (40056) 2009-06-17 1:53

Hello John,

Skating is big in the Netherlands, they always win World Championships and Olympic Gold!
And the subject here gives in part the background as it tells skating has long traditions in the country...
Interesting documentary with fine details!

Greetings,
Pablo -
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