Eisenstein was here, a photo from Odeska, West

Photographer's Note

These are the famous "Potemkin steps" of Odessa. It is the most popular tourist destination in the city on the Black Sea and attracts crowds of animal-keepers who offer to take your picture along with one of their pets.

If you don't want to carry an eagle on your arm, you could hold a crocodile or iguana in your lap or wrap a boa constrictor around your neck.

Personally I don't think thats the way to treat a wild animal.

These steps are generally known for a sequence from the famous silent movie "Battleship Potemkin", directed by Sergei Eisenstein in 1925. The film describes the 1905 mutiny by the sailors of the battleship and the most dramatic scenes show the Tsar's soldiers shooting at civilians running down the steps. A young mother pushing her baby in a pram is shot dead and the pram starts rolling down the steps at an increasing speed.

The mutiny did happen and several people were killed when demonstrating their support of the sailors, but according to historians nobody was actually killed at the Potemkin steps. But Eisenstein certainly made an interesting story even better by changing the locations.

Two workshops show the steps from other angles.

bayno, Kielia, worldcitizen, Kofman, fanni, tyro, Budapestman, patdeph, vasilpro, Vasa, bukitgolfb301, skippy007, mkamionka, COSTANTINO, edcone, edcone has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

serp2000 (29158) 2012-01-24 4:41

Hej, Gert
I remember these steps from my childhood, when I first time saw that masterpiece of the black&white mute movie.
Amazing capture of the creative young people of Odessa.
Good performans. TFS!
best wishes from Ural,
Serghei

bayno (16149) 2012-01-24 4:50

Hi Gert,
beautiful scene, I agree with you on how to treat wild animals, I saw the movie you mention in the note, very nice, about the photo, the light is very strong, I like the shadows on the floor, beautiful colors,
regards, Valter

Kielia (20411) 2012-01-24 5:31

Dear Gert,
you are adding a very interesting impression to the gallery of images of this famous place here! Life has changed since Eisenstein’s movie; it has obviously become a circus, and I agree to you concerning the treatment of wild animals. My compliments also for the photos in WS.
Warm regards
Harriet

wolf38 (28146) 2012-01-24 6:46

Hello Gert. This staircase is something special. Here, the optical illusion is perfect. I admire the artistic creativity. On the staircase between the town and port is always something happening. Your photo is a good example. Of course, the photo reminds me of my stay in Odessa last year. Rgds, Wolfgang.

Ricx (13435) 2012-01-24 10:38

Hi Gert, I cannot agree more- it infuriates me when man takes animals out of their own environment for mans own pleasure or gain.. but sadly it is happening and will continue to happen.. sometimes man is a selfish animal himself- well now you got me started.. I do think your image is a good reminder of what we should not be doing.. Do you ever ghet to see some of David Attenboroughs films from around the world- amazing. Have a great evening Rich

fanni (13868) 2012-01-24 11:05

Hej Gert,
the "red element" which is present in the picture enlivens this sunny scene even more :)
well, what can I say about those people who make money by using wild (and also domestic) animals to entertain the public?.. I think the picture says it all by itself.
I wonder if you chose this POV on purpose or it just happened so that there's a curious pattern of dark shadows and people dressed in black.
In any case, I didn't expect the "Potemkin steps" to end with a fence and a road!

warmest greetings from very frosty Moscow,
Elena

tyro (13043) 2012-01-24 12:18

Hello Gert,

You have certainly given us an interesting note here with an facinating history lesson. Your two workshop pictures are excellent too: one from present day and one a "snapshot" from a movie over three-quarters of a century old.

But to think that the famous Potemkin steps should now be the home of exploitation of both tourists and animals for monetary gain is abhorrent. Still, your photograph doesn't show any horrors and even the two eagles seem fairly content, even if perhaps they look a little disdainful of the human beings with whom they have to contend.

Good lighting and composition, the fellow in the red top holding an eagle adding foreground interest and the chap in black looking rather nervously at his eagle both perfectly placed in the frame. Nice colours and good sharpness too.

Very Interesting!

Kind Regards,

John.

Budapestman (82620) 2012-01-24 12:21

Hi Gert,
a superb photo of this famous place I like the composition and the interesting details, the colours and lights are attractive, full of life atmosphere, Tfs! Have a nice evening! Kellemes estét kívánok!
György

emka (58078) 2012-01-24 23:40

Hi Gert, The famous steps are really a challenge for the photographers. I came down, and then up trying to find good POV. And I did not not succeed, I must admit. One reason was (beside my poor skill) this blue part on the left here. It spoilt the view. And also the fence at the end of the stairs.
The steps are constructed in this way that from up you see the landings only. And when you look the other way you see only stps, without landings. You made here better to capture interesting scene and I am sure that you made also Gunnar happy that his friend in red shirt is present. But why with the falcon? I agree with you that the wild animal shouldn't be treat this way. even if it is so old tradition.
I like the group of the men in white caps, it would be fun to show them closer.
Warm regrads

MAlgo

Graal (88820) 2012-01-25 0:14

Hi Gert,
an interesting reportage and serie from Odessa. Good captured scene. Well WS and informations in note. Photos I like.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

Nicou (97583) 2012-01-25 0:43

Hello

Très belle scène colorée et animée superbe compo et image quel grâce avec le beua rapace sur le bras, fantastique.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

dkmurphys (36737) 2012-01-25 2:02

Hi gert,
Very fine street scene. I like the natural atmosphere, well captured.
Enjoy the day.

Daniel

saxo042 (31794) 2012-01-25 2:12

Hej Gert,
A well choreographed picture och nicely composed. The shadow of the man in red is well placed against the posture of the man in black. The birds add extra interest to the view and the cropping, with the straight line of the chain-fence at the top is very good.
Hälsningar
Gunnar

vasilpro (40172) 2012-01-25 14:46

Hello Gert,
Beautiful street atmosphere and interesting daily life scene, excellent POV and timing, very nice presentation, TfS!
Greetings, Vasilis.

agjika (4011) 2012-01-27 5:29

Hi Gert,

I knew nothing about these huge steps, until now. I find people treat amimals either to crudly or too nicely. I do not fall in any of the camps!

The photo is nice and sharp however as the performance is the subject I would have prefered to see more of the assistant instead of the pretty young lady on the right!

Thanks for sharing

Aleks

Vasa (15970) 2012-01-27 16:57

Another nice picture from your pockets, dear Gert. The moment, the subject, the light, all is here for my concentration. Will-be 2012 the year of your travels? That is the question, friend!

Branko

bukitgolfb301 (30053) 2012-01-29 2:45

Hi my dear Gert

Another nice daily city shot! very intersting and amzing one indeed. Sharpness and clear color are also remarkable as usual. Thanks for your sharinig with finest work and have a nice Sunday evening!
Best regrads,

Takero from sunny but so cold Tokyo

bebbetto (12) 2012-01-29 12:32

Hi Gert.
Very nice shot from such an historical place !
Beautiful everyday scene
Regards

John_F_Kennedy (41368) 2012-02-02 5:22

Hello Gert,
nice artful scene, very good capture.
best wishes,
Achim

patdeph (35738) 2012-02-06 12:48

hello Gert
like you, I don't think this is a good thing to prepare wild animals, this is not a life for them.Anyway, the picture is good, with a very beautiful and elegant pose of the man.Very well done!
Regards
Pascale

skippy007 (12500) 2012-02-09 16:13

Hello Gert, Let me say that I like the idea of the WS photos, I know this is something that you regularly do, they always seem to complete the picture, I rarely do it but certainly something I should seriously consider. Not Albert Einstein? I'm disappointed :)
Nice shot, interesting, people will try anything if they think they can make money from it.
Regards
Santo

mkamionka (24477) 2012-02-10 0:23

Hi Gert,
very intriguing street scene. I like your interesting note it is a pleasure to follow your travels, one can really learn so much about the world.
You captured a variety of people in very different poses. Very well done,
M

COSTANTINO (42744) 2012-02-15 12:56

Hello friend
I love shots of this kind with animal keepers
who offer to take a picture along with one
of their pets,impressive and nice shot
simple but interesting
thanks for sharing it with us
regards
Costantino

Miguel82 (7717) 2013-03-17 4:36

Very dangerous street spectacle Gert,
Your photo is useful and tells us more about the city and performing with eagle
Good light, contrast and pov
regards