The Passage of History Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Passage of History

Basler Rathaus, Basel, Switzerland

It may be that Lukas Schmitt - seen here aged just six months in passing pram - grows up to become the leader of The Land of the White Cross some forty years from now and, in a fit of egotistical endeavour, replaces the statue of Lucius Munatius Plancus with one of his own likeness. Who knows? I've no particular inside knowledge in this matter.

Still, everyone seems to be heading in the same direction; by car, on foot, in a pram, or just in statuesque form - and I guess that's reassuring in itself.

Regards

sevy, dragonetti, sleon, Cretense, avene has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

wolf38 (12565) 2009-08-18 5:24

Hello Colin. Art, History. The interior view is linked with the external representation in interesting way. In addition an informative text. Worth seeing. Best regards, Wolfgang.

Bartleby (4770) 2009-08-18 6:22

Hi Colin,
It takes a keen eye such as yours to compose something unusual like this! The link between the different grounds -which was not obvious for me, at least at first to be honest- is well-presented and strengthened by the note as well.
I wonder if you spent much time for someone to walk into the frame of was it just on the spur of the moment?

Cheers,

Philippe

sevy (13116) 2009-08-18 7:46

Hello Colin,

A nice photo using well the echo between the statue and the woman pushing the baby. It provides a kind of dynamism to the view.
I would have only prefered to have the shot taken 0.5sec later in order the woman and the pushchair to be just entirely in the opening of the door. I admit it is just a little detail.

Yves.

baba_flies (7949) 2009-08-18 10:19

Hello Colin! Beautiful piece of history in your foreground with the wall paintings in the back. Indeed a pretty crazy combination with the woman pushing her child through time and history, maybe on her way shopping or going home and relax or visiting the Rathaus like you did. Great combination, mixing the past with our hectic lives these days. Okay, I would have not liked to live in THESE early days either. But we have no choice. Very good, I like it a lot. Almost time for yoga class :))) Have a great night, Barbara.

dragonetti (239) 2009-08-18 10:49

Hi Colin,

I like this composition very much. It isn't the usual POV but that makes it so good of course. The woman is not only walking the right direction, it seems she's loking the same direction.
The quality of light and sharpness are superb.
TFS
Didier

sleon (9350) 2009-08-18 12:23

Hi Colin
Good to see this familiar building on TE. This is an original pov and composition - whether you caught the pram and car passing by patience or luck, it works really well to add movement and interest to the otherwise static scene. The exposure is excellent too. I have never managed to get decent pictures of the Rathaus but clearly it is possible, looking at your shot! Hope you enjoyed Basel...
Regards, Susanna

jwmunro (6567) 2009-08-18 16:08

Hello Colin -

Interesting relationship between the past and the future/present. The details and remarkable in this scene as you have managed the light remarkably. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

jhm (82017) 2009-08-21 3:41

Hello Colin,

Fine and soft for look at.
Nice combination with art and architecture and the modern pram in the gate.
You play excellent with light and shadows.
Composition and presentation is very well.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

Cretense (55340) 2009-08-23 4:03

Hello Colin!

Beautiful and very interesting photo, excellent subject, many beautiful and sometimes "controvertial" elements combined to create a wonderful result! Fantastic framing and composition, excellent light managment, beautiful colours, great overall quality and definition! congratulations!

Hercules

resato (428) 2009-09-13 4:24

Hello Colin,

the title is it! Witty note and excellent shot.

TFS, René

avene (10920) 2009-10-15 5:13

hi Colin,
so many layers here, flowing from bright colours of the Renaissance period on to the cool grey tones of urban and minimalistic 21st century, I really like the result. it takes a trained eye to see an effective composition in such a situation, hat off to you, I'd probably walk away without finding anything interesting to photograph :)

best,
Kristine

kschanna (2620) 2009-10-31 23:44

Colin,

What attracted me to this shot was the clarity and the vividness of color in it. And now its the accompanying note which I like very much too. Well composed and light managed very well too.

Thanks for sharing
Kamran