Trapani Salt Pans Photo

Photographer’s Note

Along the western coast of Sicily, between Trapani and Marsala, you can find the most important salt pans of Europe for the quality and plenty of the product.

The remarkable importance of trapanese sea pans is due to the elevated concentration of salt in the Mediterranean waters and to the climatologic conditions.

As a matter of fact the minimal atmospheric rainfalls, the temperature and the frequency of the wind allow a period of evaporation of five or six months in the year.

The sea pans take up a great extension of land limited by dams close the sea and constituted from a great number of basins.

According to the use to which they are destined the basins take various denominations: the "fridda" in which the water directly enters from the sea, taking advantage of the tide game and setting in action watertight bulkheads.

A second kind of basins follows the "fridda", the "pots" of raw water, where the water is pumped thanks to the wind mill (which you see in the image), being the advanced level to the one of the sea.

The third order of basins is constituted from the ones called "ruffiane" (panders) or "mediatrici" (mediator).

Their name comes from their middle position between the preparatory basins and the basins that will give mature water for the salt deposition.

A fourth order of evaporation basins follow this one, it is constituted from warm basins which at the end give "mature" water ready for the sodium chloride deposition.

Their number varies from salt pan to salt pan, progressively smaller and less deep. As the water passes from one to the other it deposits the salt (magnesium and calcium sulphate sulfate) and diminishes of volume.

Finally we can find recently the warm and last basin called "sintina" (servant), which facilitates the regular distribution of the "mature" water in the compartment of the salt.

The production occurs in the summer period, in July and August and, according to the climatic conditions, they can make about three harvestings.

In the ws' four more images from this splendid place.

Hope you'll enjoy it.

clio, ifanik, portmanndominic, pasternak, syd1946, dareco, emjleclercq, cunejo200, stelli, mursaloglu, kdialyna, Cretense, saxo042, PixelTerror, TGULUMSER, Floydian, COSTANTINO, emka, tudor, dip, grigand, fulvio52, TopGeo, tpstrek, gildasjan, Valerka, Hellas, danos, giorgimer, snunney has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

espador (141) 2007-12-01 11:46

Very successful foreshortening, composition and color!

lyon1970 (205) 2007-12-01 11:48

grazie per questa foto
io sono di origini italiani e miu pîace vedere le mie origine
ancora grazie e qualche punti anche
ciap dalla francia

Greg1949 (8545) 2007-12-01 11:54

Stella, very nice shot, great detail and color and the note is wonderful. Great capture and good work shop views as well.

Greg

grigand (12882) 2007-12-01 12:03

Ciao Stella,
Bella composizione, ottimo il riflesso sull'acqua interrotto dalle dighe
ciao
andrea

dip (13006) 2007-12-01 12:16

Ciao Stella,
nice image,good clarity and amazing colors,excellent POV and reflections,
very well done!
Dimitris.

tudor (214) 2007-12-01 12:23

Hi Stella,
Beautifully captured reflection, and a useful note as well!
Thanks for sharing,
Tudor

mesutilgim (37583) 2007-12-01 12:31

Hello dear Stella,
Very good (more than good) pov ! Great capture with this nice windmill and it's even nicer reflection. Very well composed and photographically perfect execution.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

emka (22797) 2007-12-01 13:20

Ciao, Stella,

Very beautiful photo. I like the mill reflexion and the colors. Is this mill still working? Nice framing, too.

I riguardi migliori

Malgorzata

COSTANTINO (23477) 2007-12-01 13:21

Ciao Stella ,
bellisima foto fata con tanta prefessionita
splendidi riflessi,ottima luce e belli colori,
Brava,
Coplimenti,
cari saluti,e buon weekend
Costantino

Floydian (30970) 2007-12-01 14:28

Hello Stella,
We have complete different windmills here in Holland, but i can enjoy even these ones. You had wonderful light here with a kind of soft colour toning, but still a very deep red roof from the mill...i like that.
The reflection....yes of course, just perfect.
I really like this one, thanks to your excellent eye in which you composed this...very good work.
Regards, Henk

batalay (21416) 2007-12-01 20:51

Hello Stella,

A photo I would expected more from Holland than from Sicily, but the informative note puts the windmill's use into perspective. So, this is the way sea salt, my favorite, is "farmed." Indeed, one of he images in your workshop shows multiple windmills. As a matter of fact, the design of the windmill is evocative of the type in the Mediterranean, especially in Mykonos. The reflections in the water are compelling.

This evening we submitted Chapter 5 out of the 6 that are planned (48 pages per chapter). Tomorrow I will take a break from writing and attend a 1-day-long Nikon School. Twice before in the distant past I attend day-long Nikon School Courses and learned a great deal.

Have a good Sunday,

Bulent

ARGI (3418) 2007-12-02 0:36

Ciao Stella photo.I fantastico non può trovare le parole migliori per dire tranne questi: PERFEZIONI Di GRANDI BRAVA i riguardi migliori Argyris

TGULUMSER (12528) 2007-12-02 2:27

Hello Stella,
I admired this view, your photo is wonderful, especially the reflection on the water,
Best regards, have a nice sunday,
Tulay

PixelTerror (87195) 2007-12-02 2:39

Ciao Stella,
A very nice subject this windmill by the saltpans, and with the important water foreground and the reflection in the still water this photo has excellent clarity, very luminous to lighten a grey december day :-)
Have a nice sunday JY

hatti52 (12654) 2007-12-02 3:25

Ciao Stella,
great details,reflection and colours
i like vertical frame
have a nice sunday
compliments

saxo042 (16576) 2007-12-02 3:47

Hi Stella,
Together with the workshops you convey a very fine picture of this place. The colours in the main photo are very soft and the whole picture shows a peaceful and calm atmosphere. A very fine observation!
Regards
Gunnar

Cretense (57564) 2007-12-02 5:25

Hi Stella!

Beautiful windmill, with this fabulous reflections you double the pleasure! Excellent vertical framing and composition, wonderful colours! Congratulations!

Ciao, Hercules

kdialyna (3106) 2007-12-02 8:14

What a wonderful picture, Stella.
Clarity, colors, the framing, everything is perfect.
Of course the reflection is the point of mention, is that what gives the special touch to your composition.
Best regards
Kostas

mursaloglu (5284) 2007-12-02 9:06

Carissima
Una foto eccellente con un gran simbolo di questo paese. La riflessione simmetrica veramente ottima in questo immagine cosi pregevole. Complimenti ihsan

stelli (2987) 2007-12-02 11:55

Wonderful, vivd colors and great sharpness! As of the reflections...unbelievable!!! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

cunejo200 (7243) 2007-12-02 13:00

Hello Stella,
The windmill instantly reminded me of the Netherlands. But your Note, which is quite informative, identified it as Sicily. Beautiful composition including the reflection, almost mirrorlike. Greetings! Danilo

emjleclercq (14632) 2007-12-02 13:04

Very interesting note about the making of sea salt, and a beautifull windmill with an nice reflection. Sharpness is especially excellent.

All the best,

Emmanuel

Bruno40 (6442) 2007-12-02 20:28

Hi Stella,
I thought this is from Holland at first. The composition, including full reflections and on 2/3 frame is good. Perfect sharpness with nice warm colours.
Well done
TFS
Jorge

azaf1 (15615) 2007-12-03 2:13

Hello Stella
Great reflection, just two fotos in one. The colors are superb and your capture crisp
Well done
Argiris

syd1946 (17999) 2007-12-03 3:10

Hello Stella,
Very impressive composition...the reflection of the windmill on the water is just amazing.The colors of windmill is very attractive and very very different for the white greek one!The place indeed looks wondrful and peacefull...

many wishes,
Thomas

pasternak (13796) 2007-12-03 3:33

This is so good, Stella, vertical frame works so well to underline all the verticals - of the mill and its reflection, and I like that the reflection is interrupted two times, this adds interest...

Cheers
Alexander

portmanndominic (2390) 2007-12-03 4:17

Hello Stella

Beautiful POV , and original , colors are soft and perfect what lovely Blue you shot
best regards
Ciao
Dominic

Silvio1953 (43412) 2007-12-03 5:46

Ciao Stella, un mulino a vento vicino Trapani.. sembra quasi l'Olanda, bella inquadratura e splendidi riflessi, brava, ciao Silvio

dareco (17104) 2007-12-03 6:18

A beautiful picture! I love the windmill, and the reflection is awesome. Very well done! TFS

ifanik (20694) 2007-12-03 14:25

For a moment I believed that they was in Holland Very beautiful photograph with beautiful colours and impressive reflection in water.
**I turned from a small travel in Vienna and from tomorrow i'll post photographs and from this supremacy city**
Best regards
Nick

clio (23421) 2007-12-03 14:50

Ciao Stella,
Buona scelta di questo formato verticale per mettere in valore questo mulino ed il suo riflesso nell'acqua. Delle belle linee perpendicolari per strutturare questa composizione.
La nota mostra una tecnica di raccolto del sale molto differente di quella praticato in Francia sull'oceano Atlantico.
Ciao
Diane

Budapestman (43292) 2007-12-04 1:32

Hi Stella,
Fascinating shot and the composition is very attractive and spectacular. The reflection is very fine I like the splendid details and the peaceful atmosphere, Very well done! Have a nice day
George

jonathan_hart (22739) 2007-12-04 9:23

nice place
good light and colours
i truly prefer the POV of image 1 in WS
regards
jo

fulvio52 (8314) 2007-12-04 9:26

Bellissima, Stella.
Una luce e dei colori semplicemente favolosi!
Bravissima!
Ciao,
Fulvio.

TopGeo (22495) 2007-12-04 14:01

Hi Stella ciao! Marvellous picture with important reflection and subject given with mirth and very good choice of point of reception. I liked your amazing receptions and admired this improbable creation, the artist Beautiful shot! and important captured of picture and idea. I'm very cheerful with you that you asked for me..Compliments Georgios

gildasjan (24235) 2007-12-05 0:26

Bonjour Stella
Les moulins à vent sont très photogéniques et celui-ci ne fait pas exception à la règle.Une très bonne image avec son reflets dans des teintes douces très agréables.
Bonne journée.
Amicalement
Gildas

jackart (5618) 2007-12-05 10:15

Hi Stella!

Where it ends real world and begins reflection in the mirror of water? I dont know. Great open space. Amazing monochromatic sky and surface of the water. Perfectly done!

Regards
Jacek

Valerka (8159) 2007-12-06 6:06

Ciao, Stella,
Another pleasing shot with a reflected mill.
I like the peace and hinted activities.
The composition is great.
I was impressed by one of your latest shots some weeks ago, so in return I dedicated you
my newest one.
TFS
There are few Italians here who are gorgeous! You make part of in my hit shooters:)

evanrizo (456) 2007-12-07 0:43

Very clever framed Stella, the layers they close the mill are very good include in the photo.
Cheers
Evangelos
tomorrow...

Hellas (5127) 2007-12-07 3:10

Apart from the beautiful photograph I like a lot the extensive analysis of mechanism of production of salt. The PoV is very good and the reflections on the smooth surface of the water are great! The photos presented in the workshop are also beautiful.
Thank for sharing and informing, too.
Have a nice weekend,
Athanasios.

tpstrek (1891) 2007-12-10 19:13

Hello Stella,
Congratulations with this magnificent shot. Great POV, reflections, sharpness and colours.
You've added a lot of useful information.
Greetings and tfs,
Henri

marietom (32284) 2007-12-12 1:20

Hello Stella,

Cette photo est superbe, quel reflet ! C'est magnifique.
Marie

danos (33730) 2007-12-12 2:04

Ciao Stella,
i lost this splendid shot from the windmill from Trapani,with this marvellous reflection on the water.Excellent the management of the light and the colours as the depth of field that created from the different levels.Informative your note too.

Regards,Danos

nisko (2461) 2007-12-12 4:55

geia sou stella,
your foto has a great sharpness and light that improve much more the beautiful landscape!well done!
kind regards
thodoris

giorgimer (21676) 2007-12-12 12:49

Ciao Stella,

che bello, non posso evitare di tornare con la memoria alla mia ultima vacanza in Sicilia. Ottima composizione, mi piace molto il riflesso che spezza l'immagine del mulino.

Brava!

Gio

snunney (35840) 2007-12-13 5:03

Hello Stella,
A splendid composition of this windmill amongst the saltpans. The vertical composition works very effectively giving full rein to the reflection and making good use of the framing from the vegetation. Good light and colours.

izmirli (3347) 2007-12-13 6:47

merhaba dear stella
wonderful mill and reflections.wonderful colours and composition.well done.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır

CRATEOS (7274) 2007-12-15 9:04

a painting amica..a real beauty..with astonish balance and pov one of the most..!!!
bravisima

ciao
nf

fserajian (4619) 2007-12-22 16:23

Hi Stella,

Nice shot, I like your POV and the capture of the reflection in the water. The framing is excellent too. TFS

Fara

capthaddock (28640) 2008-01-12 8:26

Seeing windmills in Sicily seems strange but the greco style mills are indeed present around the salt pans of Trapani, good light, and good luck with the reflections, maybe it's leaning a little to the left.

kipli (1007) 2008-01-19 2:18

Non posso che unirmi al coro di elogi per questo superbo scatto. Mi piace tantissimo la composizione dell'inquadratura anche se forse avrei eliminato il piccolo lembo di terra in basso...ma sono gusti personali...
Grande esecuzione!

Ciao
Andrea

Didi (36674) 2008-02-07 9:52

Hi Stella
Very nice picture indeed with interesting reflections on the water.
Perhaps it was better to frame larger to have more landscape ?.
Cheers.