buffet de la gare, a photo from Vaud, West

Photographer's Note

for as long as trains have existed in Switzerland the "buffet de la gare" was an institution on every railway station. Now these simple restaurants, usually with dark wooden furniture where, aside weary travellers you could see the working class men drinking a beer or a glass of cheap red wine while smoking cheap cigars and playing at cards, have mainly been replaced by posh coffee shops like Starbucks and such.
While waiting for our son in Clarens near Montreux on the shores of the lake Leman, where he recently moved to, we discoverd one of the true old style buffets de la gare with all its shabby charm.
Now I had only a small point and shoot camera with me, as the goal for that trip was appartement hunting, I still couldn't resist to take a candid shot of this every day scene at the god old buffet.

Kofman, Noel_Byrne, tyro, chrislo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emka (57992) 2013-03-06 23:42

Hi Daniel,

This looks simple and nice. We also had such buffets on the railways stations, now replaced by something better. Charming view, full of nostalgy.

WArm regrads

MAlgo

Noel_Byrne (7209) 2013-03-07 10:54

Hi Daniel
A very nice candid shot indeed, this scene could be as tranported from another era. The black and white emphasizes this really well, so a great choice.
All the best
Noel

mesutilgim (67856) 2013-03-07 14:57

Hello Daniel,
Nice b&w daily life scene.
Interesting and usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

tyro (13009) 2013-03-08 1:52

Hello Daniel,

You should make no excuses for your small camera - this is a lovely "candid" shot of a very interesting place. Your note is excellent too.

This place does, as you say, have a rather old and "shabby charm" but to me is much more attractive as a place to relax than a modern coffee bar with all its plastic and chromium-plated "glitz".

The black and white treatment works very well and your composition is good with the two groups of people perfectly placed in the frame. Perfect exposure and good details and sharpness too.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. I hope you were successful in your apartment hunt!

jcpix (3197) 2013-03-08 18:48

Hi Daniel,

I'm really liking this photo, I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's definitely a feeling of nostalgia associated with this. I don't know if it's the black & white format, or the interior itself, but this has a fine antiquated look and feel. I suppose this would look really nice in a Sepia tone also. Very good lighting, everything is shown quite well. This is proof that you don't need a big, expensive camera to take a good picture! Lovely use of your down time as well, never hurts to have a camera at the ready. :) Nicely done!

Bon weekend.

Cheers,

Jason

abmdsudi (26199) 2013-03-08 20:47

Hi Daniel
Lovely effect, with the touch of ye oldie taste to it and well treated in mono. People interaction caught attention too to liven this place and the atmosphere evokes certain memory and nostalgia to some I am pretty sure. Well done. Congrats.
P/s: Tks to you notes about EvD.
Kind regards

chrislo (2173) 2013-03-14 15:34

Hello Daniel,
I'm not that fond of station cafés, but what I appreciate here is the kitch decoration with these bicycle wheel chandeliers and the little train above the bar. I also like the wooden wall backdrop and the black and white setting here as it gives the picture an interesting quality and an old timey feel to it. The few customers add some life to the place. A charming and interesting photograph.
Kind regards,
Christian

elenimavrandoni (5789) 2013-05-05 12:40

Daniel, I really like this picture! Fond memories of the 60's in a great composition! I see elements that I really like...
all the best
Eleni

Thank you for your comment! I like the two seagulls as well..