Lady of the lake Photo

Photographer’s Note

A general, "diagonal" view of Kastoria and Lake Orestiada.

***MORE PHOTOS FROM KASTORIA***

Some info about Kastoria from Wikipedia:
ANCIENT HISTORY
Kastoria is believed to have ancient origins; it has been identified with the ancient town of Celetrum, which the Romans captured in 200 BC. The Byzantine historian Procopius records that it was later renamed Justinianopolis. The town's strategic position led to it being contested between the Byzantine Empire and the Despotate of Epirus during the 13th century; it was held by the Serbian Empire between 1331 and 1380.
OTTOMAN ERA
Around 1385, the Ottoman Empire conquered Kastoria. During the First Balkan War (1912), Greece took Kastoria. The 1913 treaties of London and Bucharest confirmed Kastoria under Greek territory.
WWII ERA
Vies of Kastoria from Lake Orestiada.During both World War II and the Greek Civil War, the town was repeatedly fought over and heavily damaged in the process. It was nearly captured by the Communist ELAS movement in 1948, and the final battles of the civil war took place on the nearby Mount Grammos.
JEWISH COMMUNITY
In 1943 the Jewish population in Kastoria numbered over 980,[citation needed] composed predominantly of Ladino language speaking Sephardic Jews. Many family names were of Italian origin as a result of emigrations (originally from Spain) via Italy in 17th and 18th centuries.

In 1944, under Nazi German occupation during World War II, the Jewish community was devastated as part of a program of deliberate extermination of Jews during the Holocaust. Kastoria was liberated by Allied troops less than 4 months after the Jewish citizens were forced out. By the end of the war in 1945, 38 of the original population survived -the vast majority of the community killed in concentration camps.[citation needed]
ECONOMY
Kastoria is renowned for its fur trade, which dominates the local economy. Indeed (as mentioned above) the town was possibly named after one of the former staples of the trade – the European beaver (kastóri in Greek), now extinct in the area. Trading in mink fur now predominates and every year an international showcase of fur takes place in the city. Other industries include the sale and distribution of locally grown produce, particularly wheat, apples, wine and fish. Recently a large shopping center has been built in the city of Kastoria. The town's airport is named Aristotelis Airport.
LANDMARKS
Kastoria is an important religious centre for the Greek Orthodox Church and is the seat of a metropolitan bishop. It originally had 72 Byzantine and medieval churches, of which 54 have survived. Some of these have been restored and provide useful insight into trends in Late Byzantine styles of architecture and fresco painting. The Museum of Byzantine History located on Dexamenis Square houses many examples of Byzantine iconography."

jurgen, dta, JanD, g_panakia, atha2pan, argycon, pasternak, coco, Buin, bostankorkulugu, Longroute, Kielia, axiotea, mark_mk, ymrk, ciakgiak, Dyerco, carper, stelli, JCG, josepmarin, edytungkal has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jurgen (2007) 2009-01-15 5:41

Hallo Hercules:
A very good composition you show us here. The colours are very saturated, the blue, red and white are very bright and the circular polarizer has worked goods here.
I like how the eye goes from the lower part of the picture, up to the left, and then right, "travelling" through the city houses.
Very good work.
Greetings,
Jürgen

dta (7857) 2009-01-15 6:04

Hello Hercules ,
A fantastic panoramic view ! The effect of all these little red roofs is great . And the curve of the bay is really beautiful . Outstandig sharpness and clarity .Nice mountains and clouds in the back ground , too .
Regards
Denis

rey316 (1916) 2009-01-15 6:04

Hi Hercules
Wonderful view. Good composition.Very nice place for life. Amazing Pov
Regards
Andrey

JanD (15517) 2009-01-15 6:17

Howdy Cretense!
Amazing cityscape and wonderful landscape. Great POV. Superb picture.
Regards!

atha2pan (3789) 2009-01-15 6:28

Irakli mou kalo mesimeri!
Thaymasia eikona tis Kastorias. Ta nera tis Orestiadas giali kathreptis... Teleios fotismos. Se xaireto,
Sakis

g_panakia (4015) 2009-01-15 6:28

kala apaixti!!!
ekplhktiki eykrinia, api8ana xromata kai ti yperoxo fos!!!
episis omorfi leptomereia einai opos exoun grapsei oi antanaklaseis sti limni...
bravo irakli!!!
filika
georgia

npecanhuk (16416) 2009-01-15 6:31

Hello Hercules1
Fantastic city view! The place is wonderful and your picture has outstanding photo qualities to show it to all of us: perfect exposure, excellent sharpness, priviledged pov and well done composition! Colors are natural and beautiful! I also like the reflection you got down there in the mirror-like surface of the water!
TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

argycon (2749) 2009-01-15 6:44

Kalispera Irakli,
Omorfo meros h Kastoria alla kai h parousiasi sou einai to kati allo. Eksairetiki douleia!
tfs
Xairetw
Kostas

pasternak (14191) 2009-01-15 6:45

The pov is a winner here but you also have an excellent light for this view, producing even some reflections in the lake. Beautiful!

Cheers
A

bema (9858) 2009-01-15 6:51

Kalispera file mou,

did you take this from an helicopter??
great and detailed overview about the city and the lake, also fine colors and a prety depth, like it a lot..

have a fine evening, Jassu Bernd

TopGeo (23013) 2009-01-15 7:14

Γειά σου Ηρακλή
Ωραίος τίτλος! Σε μια εικόνα που έχεις δώσει "έντεχνο καδράριμα και ποιητικό πλάνο"! Μια θέση που αποδίδει την καλή θέαση και την αξιόλογη αντανάκλαση.
Επαινώ σε!
Γεώργιος

barrufeto_77 (26141) 2009-01-15 7:18

Hola Hercules.

Vete al cuerno.....qué envidia de foto hahahahahaha.

Estupendo el POV y la profundidad.

Un saludo tio!

coco (28701) 2009-01-15 7:50

Kalispera Hercules.

La foto tiene una claridad excelente. Pero lo digo en el sentido más amplio de la palabra, no hablo solo su luz.
Es un paisaje, un paisaje más. Pero no deja de ser una foto realmente impresionante por su luz, su color, su composición o sus reflejos.

Ta leme, file mou.

Aviller (3208) 2009-01-15 8:00

A lovely picture with so many elements to look at. It's great how we get to see the difference and contrast between an urban setting and the countryside in the background. DOF really is fantastic thanks to the high f-number and the colors are vivid and vibrant. It's good how you've managed to include the tip of the bay on the right since it gives us a good idea of the size of the water.

stefanocer (10418) 2009-01-15 8:21

What a beautiful view composition colours and deepness Hercules , a real joy for eyes , compliments.
Stefano.

Buin (39562) 2009-01-15 9:01

Hallo Hercules!
What a breathtaking sight, what a beautiful landscape! Your wonderful and skillful composition even emphasizes this impression. A photo really to marvel at ... fantastic!
Greetings from sunny but cool Germany!
Frank

vasilpro (10791) 2009-01-15 9:25

Καλησπέρα Ηρακλή,
Η Καστοριά είναι από τις ωραιότερες πόλεις της Μακεδονίας μας και το αποδεικνύει η πολύ καθαρή πανοραμική φωτογραφία σου. Υπέροχα χρώματα και αντανακλάσεις.
Χαιρετώ, Βασίλης.

manada (6237) 2009-01-15 9:26

Geia sou file mou
Polh omorphi, what a stunning landscape... perfect!!
Xronia polla

Freddy

bostankorkulugu (34562) 2009-01-15 9:42

hey this one makes me miss our good old vangelis... any news from him?... a beautiful panoramic view of kastoria it is junior mou... what a nice setting for a town!...

a big hug from the senior...

(look what sakis did to me, dstorted me while correcting the distorted walls of aghia sophia... i look like fred flintstone in the air, LLOOLL!)

TGULUMSER (12528) 2009-01-15 9:46

Hello Hercules,
An amazing cityscape with the wonderful lake view. Colors and reflections are superb,
Best regards,
Tulay

gilou530 (36769) 2009-01-15 9:52

salut hercules
trés belles touches de rouge et blancs de toutes ces maisons avec un POV en plongée superbe qui donne une vue aérienne des plus intéressante pour apprécier la baie et les reflets
amitiés
gilbert

Rafer (5210) 2009-01-15 9:59

Bonita de verdad..buenisima composición con buenos reflejos y buena profundidad...saludos

Wandering_Dan (3375) 2009-01-15 10:31

Hi, Hercules -

Gorgeous panorama shot, with the large curve perfectly positioned. Nice and crisp, too - not just the buildings, but even the mountains in the hazy distance are pretty sharp.

Best,
Dan

Longroute (10919) 2009-01-15 10:51

You share with me the taste of high pov panoramic photos of cities and landscapes. I like to see the whole environment where a town lies, and I like to roam with the sight to appreciate all the differents details. And this city that makes a curve into the lake is really spectacular from above thanks to the fine light and wonderful reflections. Crystal clear and very bright. Well done,
Donato

Kielia (9015) 2009-01-15 11:21

Hi Hercules,
once again (and as usual) excellent photo work. I am fascinated by the beauty of the colors. But most of all I like these lovely reflections of the houses and the great overall harmony of this impression. Congratulation!
Warm regards
Harriet

axiotea (16665) 2009-01-15 11:37

Hello Hercules
Apart this excellent panoramic view, which got your trademark ;) I really do appreciate the quality of this image! Light, colors and depth are excellent.
Ta leme
Marilyn

mesutilgim (38604) 2009-01-15 12:06

Hi dear Hercules, my dear friend,
What a nice scene, what a wonderfull capture.
Very good compo with wonderfull nice and warm colors and very good pictorial geometry.
TFS and
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

mark_mk (264) 2009-01-15 12:27

Hi Hercules,
beautiful scenery, you are really a luckyguy to have all these charming cities and lakes to photograph around you. Well I can`t complain either, I have my huge mountains, but I would love to have your weather ;-)
Great shot, love the reflections on the water here. POV is well chosen and quality perfect. Beautiful one, thanks for sharing!

Take care
Mark

rbassin (4425) 2009-01-15 12:50

Hello Hercules,
C'est un superbe paysage aux couleurs lumineuses, et avec un magnifique effet de miroitement.
Bonne soirée
Roland

delkoo (35642) 2009-01-15 13:11

hi hercules
this is truly exceptional, the subject, the light, the water and colors all combine to make a masterpiece.

great one
ta leme
didier

lc4giala (2186) 2009-01-16 0:04

Καλημέρα Ηρακλή
μια λήψη αξιοζήλευτη με απίστευτη ευκρίνεια και τοποθέτηση, αν γίνει αντιληπτή από την τοπική αυτοδιοίκηση σίγουρα θα σου ζητηθεί να συμπεριληφθεί για την καμπάνια προβολής της πόλης, εύγε!!!
χαιρετώ
Γιώργος

ymrk (9670) 2009-01-16 0:29

Hercules;
This photo match for my photo.EH? :)
Yessssssss,of course!Your photo is beautifuls any also.
Have a nice day,dear my friend,

Yağmur

ciakgiak (12506) 2009-01-16 4:14

Hello Hercules,
this is a fantastic shot, with an incredible POV and sharpness. I love a lot the reflections on the water and the great light that you have managed so well.
Have a nice week end my dear friend.
Best regards

Giorgio

Dyerco (9640) 2009-01-16 7:20

Hi Hercules
A beautiful shot of this area. Nicely composed with a strong curving line and excellent reflections. The clarity is superb.
Phil

carper (67302) 2009-01-16 7:23

a fantastic photo Hercules,
very good point of view. good details and the red roofs and the blue is working very good together. well seen and very good photo job.
have a nice weekend.
regard jaap

stelli (2991) 2009-01-16 9:34

This lady is indeed beautiful and exciting no matter what is the season! Excellent POV and amazing vivid colors! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

Glint (3196) 2009-01-16 12:03

helo hercules,
I have seen pictures of Kastoria many times as Evangelis is another favourite of mine but never quite like this. You have given the town a Legoland quality, all those little houses their windows like the indentations of lego bricks. I especially like this view with showing the land bridge and the two stretches of water.Bright, colourful and sharp.
Bev

ElAprendiz (7370) 2009-01-16 17:06

Hola mi amigo:

La verdad me produce envidia de la sana, una toma como esta. Con una iluminación, un colorido y una nitidez fuera de serie, aparte del encuadre y la profundidad. Felicitaciones, como siempre imagenes de gran calidad

Saludos desde Colombia,

John

JCG (26635) 2009-01-17 8:04

Hi Hercules,

Fabulous panorama on this area. I like much qualities of the image which enable us to detail the photograph with pleasure. This point of view gives a greater density of constructions. I appreciate also the beautiful depth of the landscape. Good photograph, cheer Hercules and thank you for your interesting note.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

giorgimer (22446) 2009-01-17 16:37

Hi Hercules,

spectacular POV, the red roofs create a wonderful pattern. Good reflection too.

TFS

Gio

josepmarin (35001) 2009-01-18 10:01

Hola amigo Hercules,
espectacular vista panorámica y muy profunda sobre este lugar maravilloso, que puedo disfrutar gracias a tus bellas fotos.
Tus fotos a la hora azul de este lugar las recuerdo por su gran atractivo, pero ésta a la luz del día también es espléndida.
Me gusta el grafismo de las casas blancas con sus tejados rojos, en el contexto de un paisaje de lago y montañas realmente espectacular.
El cielo y las nubes son preciosos, y se reflejan en el lago de una forma muy fotogénica.
Gran trabajo.
Un abrazo,
Josep

Emile (20189) 2009-01-19 11:42

Hola Hércules.
Es magnifica, una foto para mi espectacular. Tu alto POV nos permite disfrutar de esta preciosa vista panorámica de tan lindo sitio. Es perfecta. Felicitaciones.
Un fuerte abrazo.

edytungkal (4521) 2009-01-19 19:05

You have a fantastic point of view here Herculas and I think its a nice place for living. Congratulation for the shot friend and thanks for sharing.

daniel

Bruno40 (6442) 2009-01-23 7:17

Hola hercules,
Hay una cancion de Rainbow llamada asi:"Lady of the lake" .. buena cancion.
Tu foto tambien es muy buena, me gusta mucho tu POV mostrando la ciudad y la belleza que la rodea.
Excelentes colores
saludos amigo
jorge

Photo Information

Copyright: Hercules Milas (Cretense) (58913)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-29
Categories: Nature, Architecture
Camera: Canon 1Ds Mark III, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR, 67mm Hoya Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/8, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Lakes and lagoons of Greece [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-01-15 5:30
Favorites: 1 [view]