History reflected, a photo from Ankara, Central Anatolia

Photographer's Note

From outside a café just below the ancient Citadel of Ankara. In the windows you can see the reflection of an old tomb, showing the typical conical roof of medieval Turkish tombs, usually - I believe - containing the relics of some important religious scholar.

As a matter of fact I didn't even notice the reflections when I took the photo. I was mainly interested in the elderly man and the many shades of purple, pink and red of his clothes and the tablecloths and furniture.

Another thing I noticed only after seeing the photo on my computer was the no smoking sign inside the entrance. Things are changing even in Turkey. Gone are the days of this kind of café.

tyro, TopGeo, ourania, Highmountains, mirosu, mohammad_H, Kofman, bayno, ayferaldanmaz, Graal, milad_abazari, s_lush, macjake, COSTANTINO, kato, Kielia, aliabazari, Hansaphotos has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tyro (13073) 2012-11-01 8:01

Hello Gert,

A fascinating photograph in which you ( and we) can see a lot more than first meets the eye. Whch just goes to show that you must never delete photographs in the camera - there might well be features in any photograph which were not immediately apparent when you took it.

The elderly man is well placed in the picture as are the two maroon-covered tables which add lovely splashes of colour and we can see the reflection of the tomb well in the glass frontage of the café. And it's interesting to note the "No Smoking" sign inside too: the trend is obviously now spreading far and wide which is a good thing - as a pipe smoker desperately trying to give up, I find that smokers are more discriminated against these days than lepers ever were.

Lovely colours and lighting, perfect exposure and exquisite detail and sharpness.

Lovely!

Kind Regards,

John.

saxo042 (31800) 2012-11-01 9:16

Hej Gert,
De röda och turkosa dukarna är nog det som först fångar min blick i den här bilden. Bilden är ju för övrigt mycket väl komponerad med mannen i en perfekt position. Ljuset faller längs en diagonal rakt mot honom. I fönstren bakom syns speglingnen av en byggnad som man gärna hade fått se mer av. En mycket stillsam och kontemplativ bild.
Hälsningar från Oslo, vi är här och passar Leo över helgen. Lisa är i Köpenhamn och sjunger och Helge är i Japan och spelar.
Gunnar

TopGeo (37994) 2012-11-01 9:21

Hello Gert! Yes! surprises are many! I believe that every image has a lot of hidden messages also believe that each image gives different emotions in different people and others liked others not! I like particularly? Also note with the link and old photo.
Bravo
best regards

Georgios

serp2000 (29188) 2012-11-01 9:36

Hello, Gert,
This photo reminds me your old photos from Turkey of 1970th. The same atmosphere, same old wise man and this interior looks like a scene of the past. Good capture of a daily life in Ankara! TFS!
Serghei

ourania (12367) 2012-11-01 9:56

Hello Gert,
a very well observed scene and an effective composition that uses the right perspective to show how simple life can get enriched by details. I like very much the gentleman's placement in the composition and he has a very natural and confident posture, probably used to observe the world from that favourite seat. I love the light and symphony of ordinary but attractive colours as well as the way the reflection expands the image. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely month,
Ourania

Highmountains (1834) 2012-11-01 10:51

Excellent technical quality and exceptional composition. True that the glass in the background reflects the monument / old tomb. The unity in composition and theme is at a much higher level, where the old man's "reflective" mood co-relates with the reflections of history in the glass behind him.
The posture of the old man, sitting against the sunlight and wearing a low cap is an excellent capture. There is sharpness and clarity in the tables and chairs, the wooden framework of the glass facade and even the inside of the cafe'. The old man just leans back and reflectively watches the world go by.
A very good and strong theme, that is depicted with fine clarity.
Thanks for sharing, Gert.

wolf38 (28180) 2012-11-01 11:06

Hello Gert. Here you show a beautiful scene. Everything rests from any hustle and bustle. Time seems to have stood still. The man certainly is waiting on his friends. I like the photo because it has so much peace. Rgds wolfgang.

Glint (5573) 2012-11-01 12:18

Hello Gert,
I do enjoy your photos of Turkish and other cafes, where the men rule the roost and the women are nowhere to be seen.I am attracted by the bright colours of the tablecloths and the man's relaxed posture. The refelctions give an extra dimension. However, I like more the photo for which you provide a link. The older cafe has so much more atmosphere (not including the cigarette smoke).
Bev

mesutilgim (67960) 2012-11-01 12:25

Dear Gert,
Amazing capture from Ankara's citadel.
Very good layout.
Bright red tablecloths gives a perfect accent to the capture.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

boa (4313) 2012-11-01 13:06

Hej Gert,
ett härligt foto i min smak. Bilden är välkomponerad med mannen i fin position inom ramen. Det jag tilltalas mest av är hur behaglig denna situation ser ut. Sitta på utsidan av ett cafe i ett varmt land och låta tankarna vandra som de vill. Helst med en dubbel espresso och ett pipstopp. (verkar vara olagligt i Turkiet nu oxå) Kolla in folklivet och njuta av värmen.
Fint ljus och färger i din bild.
Hälsningar.
Boa

Ps, beklagar Gert men jag har inte haft tid att ringa dig ang. en fika. Det ser ut att bli mycket nästa vecka också men jag hör av mig framöver.

agjika (4011) 2012-11-01 15:42

Hi Gert,
Now this is how I really envisage the real Turkey! A very good photo and you have had the light on your side. Pin sharp great colours and composition. I am not sure about the reflections on the glass as I think they distract me from looking at the main subject. But there was absolutely nothing you could do about it. The expression of the old guy is super.

Thanks for sharing

Aleks

emka (58140) 2012-11-01 15:48

Hi Gert, sometimes camera registers the things we do not see at the moment of taking photo. You cleverly used your discovery in the title. The elderly man is hereimportant but the real eyecatcher are for me the table clotheses their colours and the way tey are bound. Excellent shot, the composition, colours are first class.
Warm regards
Malgo

Hunkar (6624) 2012-11-01 16:01

Fotoğrafın önemli özelliği detaylar çok iyi,
Selamlar,

ACL1978 (5775) 2012-11-01 16:25

The man alone would easily be enough for this photo, but the reflection does a nice job of bookending him and drawing him into the history of the place as well. And of course he seems somewhat timeless...

The colors are great here - vibrant and bright. Nicely seen and captured.

Andrew

mirosu (5509) 2012-11-01 20:47

Hi Gert,
I am really impressed by this photo. I love it, the composition the man sitting in front of coffee shop and the nice reflections in shop window are amazing. The light is excellent. The framing is very well chosen, in a slight lower-angle view that works very well graphically, and gives a nice perspective to the sitting man. The light and shades have a beautiful effect on the elements, and the simple contrasting colors are magnificent. Well done!!!

mohammad_H (6598) 2012-11-01 22:58

Hi
Old age can be very beautiful.
It depends, how it is looking, attractive, beautiful, if you look at it
Subject is very interesting, social
Good luck

bayno (16195) 2012-11-02 1:50

Ciao Gert,
in Italy there is a saying that smokes more than a turkish ehehehe it was just strange to see the ban in a bar, great shot, I prefer a lot more shots of daily life of the landscapes, beautiful colors and excellent quality, very beautiful even the unexpected reflections...very very nice...
best regards,
Valter

abmdsudi (26233) 2012-11-02 4:06

Hi Gert
Well taken street photography as the glass doors show the glimpse of reflections of the tomb adding the extra interest and dimension hinting at the location. The essence of an old time feel really comes thru which seems to bring out the ageless quality of the place and the light coming through is really good picking up all the great detail, shadows and the vibrant colors. Lovely the way that you have managed to retain the detail, his gentle face is well illuminated and perfectly framed by the verticals with that little extra of space on the right. The title fits the image, an excellent observational capture. Well done, TFS.
Kind regards

Nicou (97679) 2012-11-02 4:15

Hello

Avec les reflet dans la vitre et la porte ouverte quelle scène e tiamge quel captage sueprbe compo de cet homme à la terrasse ndu café.
Bravo et amitié

Nicou

Tigerlily (2343) 2012-11-02 4:41

Hi Gert,
This is wonderful..an excellently taken image. I love the reflection. I just had a look of the old image from your link.. That was really great.. I love that one as well.

ayferaldanmaz (946) 2012-11-02 10:42

hi gert,
wonderful capture.. completely effective, satisfactory in every respect.. yes, even the Turkish people are notorious smokers :) as shown on your linked capture, smoking is prohabitted in all public places for over two years.
thanks and my compliments for this great shot.
heve a nice weekend,
cheers,
ayfer

siamesa (27449) 2012-11-02 11:49

Boa tarde Gert

Very interesting photo. Maybe there is a wind in this place because the tableclothes are tied around the tables.

Abraços
maria

zoomer (3580) 2012-11-02 15:54

Hi,I like your excellent studies of people,they are so real and natural.Love the local color here.Friendly regards,Wolf.

Graal (88886) 2012-11-03 0:52

Hi Gert,
good portrait of old man and comment in note. Fine theme about the daily life in Turkey. Photo is well done.
Have a nice WE.
Aleksander

dkmurphys (36801) 2012-11-03 0:59

Hi Gert,
I love this one! Genuine daily life scene taken in a simple and attractive way. Good work!

Daniel

Nard (6913) 2012-11-03 1:34

Hi Gert
Nice scene of a quiet moment under the sun. I like the blue and red of the tablecloth and how that stands out the wood. A very good POV also with the glance of the man opening the composition to the right.
Regards
Bernard

milad_abazari (1648) 2012-11-03 7:34

Hi
Registration is beautiful and good. Exposure and color were excellent. With respect.

s_lush (15588) 2012-11-03 8:04

Hello Gert!
This is a very well composed, colorful, aesthetic, interesting and high-quality capture indeed. The note is highly interesting too. Perfectly well done!
Best regards,
Sergiy

macjake (39227) 2012-11-03 8:24

Hi Gert
wow!!
that photo 'of this kind of cafe' is probably the best I've seen from your gallery!!! looks like some sort of old hollywood movie set or something...the man on the far right looking directly at you with his cigarette is so captivating!

this photo has a completely different feel and vibe to it, probably due to the vibrant colors and bright lighting.
if you look closely, there are MANY interesting subjects all over this photo! the way the table clothes are held up by that rope - never seen that before, its a simple but great cultural find!

another keen photo
cheers
craig

eldancer1 (17036) 2012-11-03 9:26

Very nice candid shot of this gentleman enjoying what looks like a nice day. Nice catch of the reflection of the tomb. Good lighting and dof with nice details. Well done, tfs.

anel (501) 2012-11-04 5:29

Hello Gert,
A very fine and natural picture of this older man sitting in front of a Street-café. Lovely fine tints and a "plus", the reflexions on the windows.
Well seen.
Kind regards
Anne

COSTANTINO (42746) 2012-11-04 8:28

Hello
the title says everything
I like the simplicity of
this shot with man sitting
alone outside a cafe
memories from old times
the reflection is the
best detail in this composition
regards
Costantino

chrisvek (5453) 2012-11-04 8:59

Hello Gert

Very good composition of this man enjoying the sunny day!Superb colors and contrasts with splendid details from a very good POV.

Have a nice week
Chris

CanmoreKevin (2111) 2012-11-04 10:30

Gert,
This is so nicely composed from the lone figure to the reflections. I like the life that the splashes of red give the photo.
Kevin

fanni (13868) 2012-11-04 14:34

Hej Gert,
excellent composition!
a bit of red colour, a bit of interesting reflections, a man thinking God-only-knows about what... a lot of sunshine.. and here is a wonderful shot with a message (also a philosophical one) :)

warm regards,
Elena

kato (6767) 2012-11-05 21:33

Hello Gert,

You're capturing well this daily life by a good composition and excellent tone/clarity, so it's interesting and impressive to see the spectacle that an elderly man is sitting on the chair of coffee shop and is relaxing. This coffee shop seems to classical by architecture and some equipments. It's interesting in seeing the reflection of the conical roof of tomb to glass as you note. It's impressive that the trend over smoking of society in past and present is felt through comparison of a workshop, too.
Have a nice day,

Kind regards,
mikio

fabbs99 (5441) 2012-11-06 2:10

Hello Gert,

Nice portrait of the elderly gentleman sitting outside a cafe at Ankara.Unaware of your idea of shooting him, he is observing something special on the other side.Good exposure and sharpness as well as POV.Very well done.TFS.

Warm Regards
Farhat

claudeD (24173) 2012-11-08 9:48

Hello Gert,

Wonderful daily life picture with an excellent composition and perfect colors. I like the calm atmosphere very much.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC

yquem46 (32263) 2012-11-08 9:52

Hej Gert
I like your series on Turkey
A plain daily life scene but well rendered, as if we were about to enter into it and sit down at the next table
Have a nice evening, cheers
Patrick

Kielia (20445) 2012-11-10 10:11

Dear Gert,
I really like your collection of men sitting in the sun and contemplating about life. This is just another great impression with a wonderful atmosphere of daily life in the South. The photographer’s perspective is outstanding. Most of all I like the mood, one can see that the people who are living here are feeling comfortable! My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

aliabazari (10105) 2012-11-11 19:04

Hej Gert Kära
Vacker och fascinerande rekord av vardagen en display. Belysning och sammansättning var utmärkt.

med avseende

Hansaphotos (5429) 2012-11-22 1:19

Hello Gert

I can see that this was captured this year, but as Craig (macjake) comment, it looks like a scene from an old movie set. The picture is thought provoking in the sense that it makes the viewer think and try to build a story around the lonely cafe guest, only surrounded by empty chairs. A great shot with fine effect of the reflections in the large windows. Great work:) TFS. Have a nice day.

Best regards, Erling

subhendu_bagchi (16590) 2012-11-22 20:47

Namaste Gart,
a nice composition indeed. The nostalgic mood is nicely reflected in this frame. Colours are superb and the old man is nicely placed in the frame as the witness of such history... Excellent one. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

pajaran (36224) 2013-04-21 22:03

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled na kafe restoran i gospodina ...
Dobar trenutak snimka, kontrast, lepe boje.
Dobar rad i kompozicija, lepo pokazano.
Gospodin odmara i ceka svoje drugare.
Imajte lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Srecno.
Paja.

Good afternoon.
Nice view of the cafe restaurant and Mr. ...
A good time recording, contrast, beautiful colors.
Good work and composition, nicely shown.
Mr. resting and waiting for their friends.
Have a great and successful day, all the best in the new week that started.
Good luck.
Paja.