THE ROLLER COASTER Photo

Photographer’s Note

In 1963 President Kennedy was hosting 30 Nobel Laureates in the White House. He opened his remarks with the line, "This is the greatest concentration of creative genius since Thomas Jefferson dined alone." The third President of the United States was indeed the most brilliant of 43 individuals who occupied the White House during the past 233 years. On October 15 I had the honor to give a talk in the Rotunda of the University of Virginia. This is the domed architectural gem that Jefferson had personally designed for the university that he founded. He explained that the design was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. My audience was comprised of 104 distinguished physicians and generous benefactors of the Medical School of the University of Virginia. On my drive to Charlottesville, Virginia, I took a road less traveled, one with undulating curves, hills and valleys. In this particular segment I could not resist pulling over to shoot this veritable 'roller coaster.' I intend to post a few more images from Charlottesville in the next week or two. Four months ago, I had posted a photograph of Monticello, the home that Jefferson designed for himself that also features a dome.

The appearance of the warm colors of autumn has been late this year, but a dramatic drop in temperatures the past few days should expedite the process. At the ungodly hour of 3:00 am (in the Eastern United States) that I am posting this image, I am also listening to Beethoven's Third Symphony, which I've found to be ideal as a sound track for viewing this image. Beethoven composed the "Eroica Symphony", his personal favorite, while Jefferson was enjoying life in Charlottesville. I would like to dedicate this photo to composer/conductor Daniel Nazareth, a new but already good friend, who trained under Herbert von Karajan, seen conducting the Eroica on the YouTube link.

isabela_sor, bostankorkulugu, snunney, phwall, jwmunro, ChrisJ, jafadabret, jhm, papagolf21, worldcitizen, ciakgiak, MLINES, leonorkuhn, gervaso, stego, paura, Uhu, JCG, belido, Wandering_Dan, asajernigan, BWJ, ls7902 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

isabela_sor (42162) 2009-10-18 0:05 [Comment]

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bostankorkulugu (33582) 2009-10-18 0:12

"meçhule giden bir yol" dedikleri bu mudur? >:P... nefis doğa, hoş kare bülent bey... sevgiler, selamlar...

korkut

(kuzey de sizi öpüyor...)

danyy (68778) 2009-10-18 0:13

Bonjour Bulent,
une photo qui nous offre à la fois cette route qui en effet fait très attraction de foire, mais aussi ces premières marques de l'automne dans les feuillages de ces arbres.
Je te souhaite un excellent dimanche.
Daniel.

Buin (37656) 2009-10-18 0:21

Hallo Bulent (from here "Good morning!" ;-)
What a view! This undulating street really is intriguing here ad it leads the eyes into this "autumnal tunnel". A somehow unreal scenery.The a bit hazy background works very well here and emphasizes the feeling of autumn.
I like your note very much!
Greetings from cold and humid Germany - with first snow on the mountains!
Frank

snunney (34884) 2009-10-18 2:33

Hello Bulent,
Not the place for a drunken man to be walking along on a dark night:-) I like the perspective as the rolling road wends its way through the lovely autumn trees. A pleasing mix of green, gold and yellow tones. Thanks for sharing.

npecanhuk (13921) 2009-10-18 3:58

Hello Bulent!
Excellent idea and successful visual results!
The low pov was very well chosen for such an effective and attractive composition, with not many elements, but full of interest and beauty, with this road leading our eyes into the image, surrounded by that vegetation with the changing color leaves and inviting us to take a ride too!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

stelli (2941) 2009-10-18 4:20

Beautiful curves on the road! Wonderful fall colors (my favorite from the States) and excellent framing! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

phwall (5564) 2009-10-18 5:11

Hello Bulent,
I'm glad you stayed up so late to present this wonderful photograph, it is superb.
Creative composition us usual from your good self, the roller coaster is there for all to see.
I've been in the Northern States a number of times to witness the fall colours, the beauty of this seems to be well on the way.
Now, go to bed.
Warm wishes
Peter

jwmunro (6577) 2009-10-18 7:04

Hello Bulent -

Apt title for this image. The hint of color really adds a nice texture to the image and you are right Beethoven is a complement to the scene. When in a pine forest I really like to listen Brahms First Symphony as the final movement compliments the environment, in my opinion. I think we can always find a Master to compliment the environment if we work at it. Well seen and perceived.

Thank you for sharing.

John

ChrisJ (70231) 2009-10-18 7:33

Hi Bulent

Brisbane is a very hilly city in parts, & I remember enjoying this kind of free rollercoaster ride, when driving around with my parents as a 5-6 year old. Wonderful lead in lines & perspective, with good colour & sharpness. Ps, your recent tribute to Turk & Australian soldiers at Gallipoli, was quite moving. Tfs!

jafadabret (39627) 2009-10-18 8:11

Bonjour Bulent.
Ce n'est que 5 heures pm mais je me demande si le repas n'était pas trop arrosé en voyant la route onduler comme l'eau calme qui aurait reçu un caillou !
La photo est d'une très grande beauté avec cette route magique qui s'enfonce dans un décor de début d'automne.
Amicalement
Jacques

Bluejeans (32293) 2009-10-18 15:13

Ola Bulent,
Muito interessante esta estrada ondulada , um belo efeito visual parece que sofreu um efeito de explosão ,bonitos tons de cor das árvores, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

emka (21466) 2009-10-18 15:37

Hi Bulent, Beethoven's Eroica is for me an ideal sound track for everything. Wow, the autumn colours here are fantastic. This year we have no "Polish golden autumn" - the snow came very early, of course it is gone already, but the weather isn't nice.
Driving on this road must have been like skiing...

Warm reagrds

Malgorzata

jhm (82545) 2009-10-19 4:08

Hello Dear Bulent,

Thank you very much for your note, again excellent for to read as usual.
I was on school November 1963 when Present Kennedy became murdered.
Extraordinarily lovely, what a perspective and depth.
Wonderful how we can see the long way, exactly a dream image, up and down, this is nice.
Technical as picture and splendid as subject.
Excellent captured and lovely composed.
Very well done, TFS.

Warmest regards,
John.

papagolf21 (56367) 2009-10-19 5:09

Bonjour, cher ami Bulent,
Une image automnale du plus bel effet avec cette route qui s'amuse à jouer le grand huit !
Image parfaitement composée comme à l'accoutumée.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié la note d'accompagnement.
Amitiés.
Philippe

worldcitizen (2257) 2009-10-19 12:31

Hello Bulent,
Thanks for this lovely autumn scene. We are still waiting for the peak colors up here. It must be a lot of fun to drive on this road, although there must also be a lot of accidents during the icy winter months. In my mind, (which seems to have a fixation with sweets!!), this road looks like a large piece of ribbon candy disappearing into the trees. If only Candyland were real!! :-)

ciakgiak (10698) 2009-10-19 14:22

Ciao Bulent,
Qui hai avuto un grandissimo colpo d'occhio, le ondulazioni della strada sono straordinarie, l'effetto è davvero bello.
Ma sono anche i caldi colori dell'autunno a completare un'immagine bellissima.
Congratulazioni, TFS.
Giorgio

MLINES (10884) 2009-10-19 21:35

Hi Bulent, An unusual and highly effective image. The coloured leaves and the smoothness of the tarmac are instantly appealing. The notes, as always tell us a little bit more of the history of your country in a most appealing way. TFS. Murray.

Graal (57941) 2009-10-19 22:43

Hi Bulent,
amazing and nice view. Good shot. Road like rollercoaster. Pleasant autumnal colours of trees. Good captured place and theme. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

Angshu (33645) 2009-10-20 0:28

Hello Professor 'A'
Nice one, with the roller coaster of the road, with fine foliage on either side, showing signs of autumn (or should I say fall?). I would be inclined to apply 'curves' in PS on the road to make the colour more 'tarry'...don't know whether it would work though…problem is I've finished my 2 WSs for the day. As always your note is excellent
With Warmest Regards
Angshuman

delpeoples (6068) 2009-10-20 0:57

Hi Bulent, nice spotting of this undulating road, but what takes my fancy most are the beautiful autumnal colours of those trees lining the road. Just superb, and I like how the road bumping off into infinity. TFS and have a wonderful week, Lisa.

mursaloglu (5160) 2009-10-20 2:39

merhaba sevgili Bülent bey
mükemmel bur curve fotoğrafı sense of depht harika bunun yanısıra iki taraftaki doğa ve orman ve ortasındaki yılani yol mükemmel bir uyum sağlamış. Bravo ihsan

carper (64878) 2009-10-20 2:43

fine one Bulent,
a fine roller coaster here, good point of view, fine autumn atmosphere, very good photo job, have a good day.
regard jaap

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-10-20 3:08

Bulent, nice capture, I have been looking for a similar road so I can experiment with some really low angles. Your note is also fine, nice work as usual.

Greg

leonorkuhn (13561) 2009-10-20 6:15

Hi Bülent,

An image can open many windows in our mind. Driving here should be a pleasure, far from pollution and surrounded by natural beauty. Nice road flanked by flowering trees. The big undulations are its greatest charm. Excellent POV, great colors and good depth.

Warm Regards
Leonor

ymrk (8735) 2009-10-20 8:18

Harika bir yol hocam,aynen filmlerde olduğu gibi..Sonbahar'ın tüm güzelliklerinin yalandığı tertemiz bir yol..Sevgilerle-

Yağmur

gervaso (5240) 2009-10-21 11:56

Hello, Bulent!

That's a beautiful road with all this vegetation surrounding it! I like a lot these "waves" of the road and the different and beautiful colors of the leaves! Excellent perspective! Wonderful composition!

stego (22352) 2009-10-21 12:30

Hello dear Bülent,
I have been absent for 3 months, but I think I'll be back, although I have to try to spend less time here daily...
It's a beautiful Autumn view, I like the mix of yellows and greens, with the (vertically) winding road giving a kind of choreographic charm.
Warm regards to you and your wife,
José

paura (38410) 2009-10-21 16:19

Bulent,
Linda essa estrada que parece caminhar de forma muito interessante para dentro de nós mesmos. O ondulado é outro atrativo. Lindo trabalho.

Abraço

Paulo

Uhu (7378) 2009-10-22 1:18

Kind of rollercoaster indeed.As about Nobel Prize - there are little too much politics in that Prize nowadays, which was clearly shown couple of weeks ago; but anyway, those who have it usually really deserve it. I say usually, because I know fine examples of the different thing.
Great photo - and very good note, as usual!

pablominto (40712) 2009-10-22 1:40

Hello Bulent,

It is a fine composition and a lovely presentation of the autumn season!
I'm sure this countryside road is fun to drive, and I'm not only thinking of the lovely setting...
Good depth and very attractive colours!

Greetings,
Pablo -

JCG (25331) 2009-10-22 10:15

Hello Bülent,

In car, a road which must give heave !!! But for the fan of skate-board, an ideal playing field… A point of view and a prospect on this road way interesting where the autumnal colors are shown still timidly. Good glance and a note interesting as usual, thank you Bülent.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

belido (16493) 2009-10-22 10:28

Hi Bulent,

very good play with geometry of the road. It really reminds of a roller coaster. There is a nice fog and the color of the leaves adds a lot to the compo. Nicely done!
Regards,
Carlos

gunbud (27879) 2009-10-22 21:10

Hi Bulent,
You have made wonderful use of this straight but dippy road that is so beautiuflly framed by the colors of October.
Regards, Tom

paololg (13761) 2009-10-23 13:17

Ciao dear friend,
I admire this image while I am listening to the "Heroic" of Beethoven, and I have to tell you that the feelings are very beautiful, feelings of almost mystical austerity. I have tried to admire the same your photo with the Canon in D major of Johann Pachelbel and the feelings have been equally very beautiful, but very different, pleasant and a few melancholy. Tries it also you :-)
Beautiful autumn image, dear Bulent, the road seems a ribbon of silk among these marvelous colors. Compliments!
Ciao, have a nice w.e.!
Paolo

Wandering_Dan (3225) 2009-10-25 5:20

Merhaba, Bulent -

We are still in Paris (and met some fellow TE'ers last night!), but I am taking a moment to see what's up on TE.

This shot reminds me of so many back roads in the NE that I like, and especially the way you've captured the colors of autumn - it's rare to see all the main colors together like this. Meantime the road demands that the eye follow it off into the distance.

Nice! (Even on my lousy laptop screen....)

Best,
Dan

Dyerco (9078) 2009-10-25 7:24

Hi Bulent
A nice shot of this undulating road through the countryside amongst the fall colours. Now all you need is a little red MG coming over the rise.
Phil

asajernigan (14132) 2009-10-26 7:29

Bulent,
This is a great shot of this hilly road. The trees frame the scene nicely leading the eye through the shot. The autumn colors are fine and you have presented them nicely here. The Eroica is one of my favorite symphonies and I can understand how it would fit with this shot.
TFS,
Asa

jemaflor (39381) 2009-10-28 12:58

Hi Bulent,
Interesting depth with this road view through the forest, well seen this frame with these /\/\ effect... nice colors for the leaves on trees.

KateinDenmark (1117) 2009-10-28 13:19

This is a classic fall image. Nice POV and colors. I'm not sure why it isn't as crips as one could wish, but it still is a beautiful photo.

Sincerely,
Kate

emjleclercq (14292) 2009-10-31 14:57

Nice colors, and probably a funny drive at high speed!

All the best,

Emmanuel

BWJ (1773) 2009-10-31 17:45

Hello Bulent,
You created an extraordinary road shot with wonderful perspective. The vertical version is perfect to accentuate the patterns created by gentle rolling hills of this country road. I like the rhythm of it. Colors of autumn are just beginning to show adding rich and lovely touches of bright color. It is fun to think of Beethoven composing “Eroica Symphony” while Thomas Jefferson was composing the Declaration of Independence.
Kind regards,
Betty

anesugur (16878) 2009-11-04 13:07

Bu tür yol fotoğraflarını ben de çok seviyorum.
İniş çıkışlarda harika bir derinlik kazandırmış.
Selam ve saygılar. Uğur

ls7902 (6194) 2009-12-04 22:20

Hello Bulent,
I like the way & perspective you capture this road. I feel like on a flying carpet. Lovely forest with emerging colors of autumn. Always enjoy reading your notes. You have a great flair for writing which follows great amount of knowledge. Have a good weekend. Regards. Latiff.