typically Moscow-ish Photo

Photographer’s Note

Like I always say, I am not an expert at taking photos of churches, and this time my goal was not to take a photo of the church itself but to capture the old church in the surroundings, to capture the real present-day "Moscow-ish" ambience.

That's why there are cars in the photo.

Anyway, when taking photos in this street it is absolutely impossible to avoid cars (maybe at night there are not so many cars? I don't know)... just as it is impossible to avoid power wires!

I plan to post a few photos dedicated to this church and this street, so this post is #1.

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In the background you can see Church of saint Gregory of Neocaesarea.

According to some Russian info sources, the exact date of its foundation is not known, but definitely it is not later than the XVIth century.

The present-day building was built in 1667-1669 by tsar Alexei - father of Peter the Great (Peter I).

By the way, some facts for those who are interested in Russian history:

- a legend says that in this church Russian tzar Ivan the terrible was married to his 6th wife - Vasililssa;

- in this church Peter the Great's father was married, and this is where Peter the Great, tsar of Russia from 1682 to 1725, was baptized.
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The church was closed in 1939, and a special passage for pedestrians was cut in the lower part of the church belltower.

The church was restored in the USSR time, and in 1990 the church was re-opened.
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PP work: minor lens distortion correction; the lower part of the photo was a bit darker, so I did some minor shadows adjustment.

Info about the shot:
Shot in RAW, converted to JPEG
Shooting Date/Time: 09.06.2009 14:50:02
Tv(Shutter Speed): 1/125Sec.
Av(Aperture Value): F9.0
Metering Modes: Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation: 0
ISO Speed: 200
Focal Length: 18,0 mm
Flash: Off
White Balance: Auto
AF mode: AI focus AF
Picture Style: Landscape

robjol, saxo042, mafegan, bukitgolfb301, shevchenko, daddo, xuaxo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

robjol (2047) 2009-06-16 3:34

Hello Elena,
Life is not perfect, about the cars and overhead wires etc. Your photo is a good street scene, of everyday Moscow. That is what I like to see.
After all photos are a record as how it was that day you took the photo.
Imagine that in the past, someone painted a scene of Moscow, said I am not painting in that building, it does not look so nice, putting something else there.
It is not a true account of how it was.
This photo, is how it looks right now,and in future can say, oh look at these cars, not same as today.
Anyway Elena, that is just how I see things.
Each to his or her own ideas.

Kind regards to you,
Robert

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-06-16 4:24

Elena, this is a fine capture. I love that these exotic churches are in the midst of such mundane buildings and settings. Great color and exposure control. Great work.

Greg

jplebrun (16834) 2009-06-16 4:47

Bonjour Elena
belle scène de la ville de Moscou avec ces gens et cette magnifique église en arrière plan.
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

Uhu (7372) 2009-06-16 5:36

Ну, ежели на то пошло, Василиса Мелентьева женой Грозного никогда не была, женился он на ней "по молитве", без всех необходимых обрядов, т.е. не по понятиям того времени вовсе не женился, хотя вроде бы, действительно, на месте этой церкви.
И вообще история чрезвычайно темная, одна кровавая легенда на другой - кто такая была, как все кончилось - никакой достоверной информации нет.
***
Хорошая фотка! ЧТобы была типичная Москва, застройка уж очень малоэтажная тут.

saxo042 (15514) 2009-06-16 8:12

Hi Elena,
This is a real "daily life street scene"! I guess the church in the background must be very beautiful with all these colours that are indicated here. But it is certainly not the central piece of this capture. I will have to wait for post #2...
Your note here is very good (as usual) with a lot of interesting facts. Regarding Peter the Great, will there be a lot of celebrations in Russia on July 8 to commemorate your victory at Poltava, 300 years ago? That was the end of the Great power for Sweden...
Kind regards
Gunnar

sunamoon (5057) 2009-06-16 14:25

Hi Elena,

Me encantan los edificios tan peculiares que hay en Moscú,
me gustan esos colores y diseños originales,
veo que hay mucho tranvía en Moscú (por los cables),
muy buena definición! Buen trabajo!

Un saludo,
Elena

serp2000 (9375) 2009-06-16 22:52

Доброе утро, Елена,
Свет и тень, как добро изло? :))) Та же проблема с освещением. Но еще и провода добавляются.Это враг любого фотографа, как кто-то тут сказал. А я отправляюсь работать.
И вам удачного дня!
До новых встреч в эфире!
Сергей

AKITA (5262) 2009-06-17 0:32

dear Elena,
a nice shot of "typically Moscow-ish" view.
beautiful town-scape made of various elements.
maybe now, Moscow fits modern "unreal city" of T.S.Eliot than London...
nice or bad, beautiful or not,,,feeling of those looks on changing uncertain standard.
then there is no universal standard of human artistic sensation?
in my feeling, beyond superficial fashions or modes, real Muse hides behind those...
I have a glimpse of her back figure between that old church and fore round cars under wires like web.
thank you,
Akihisa

Vasa (5432) 2009-06-17 1:37

My dear Elena,

so glad to see Moscow on this way and this corner. So glad to see you again. My greetings this time from the south of Serbia. See you soon with big pleasure, friendly your

Branko

holmertz (9564) 2009-06-17 2:09

Hej Elena,
This is an interesting photo and very typical of modern large cities. It has become a fact of life that the cars totally dominate the views in many places. But this is a fine documentation of a rapidly changing city and a reminder that beauty can be found where you least expect it.
Hälsningar,
Gert

mafegan (4133) 2009-06-17 5:36

Hello elena
This scene is very much as I remember Moscow. Colourful churches with onion domes, low buildings and dark painted cars. Another interesting street scene with informative notes. Tfs, Marlene

aadilj (17950) 2009-06-17 6:11

I love this POv of the famous structures Elena. this almost like an everyday shot and not the usual shot. great

barrufeto_77 (25715) 2009-06-17 14:14

Hi Elena.

OK. I agree with you in order to take a daily-life picture but I hate that cars....ohhhh...a pity I think.

Anyway, as I told you, a nice daily-life pic.

Rgs, Oscar

bukitgolfb301 (4576) 2009-06-17 16:54

Hello my dear Elena

Yes, I agree with your title, this is typical one accrding to my image and plejudise.
Nice shot evertnig component are inside.
Sorry for my late follow, very busy and late back home, I will catch up soonest

Many thanks again for your kind attention and warm commnet as usual,and best regards,

Takero

shevchenko (9862) 2009-06-17 20:11

Hi Elena,
What a city view full in parking cars, wires , walking people and colorful buildings, nice to see this corner full in old feels without skyscapers, interesting note to introduce the church, thanks for sharing.
Ally

daddo (11310) 2009-07-06 3:51

Zdravsvuy Elena. Cars, cars...the necessary appendage of modern living.Tak zheizn, shto dyelatz? You did a fine job presenting to us a slice of life and an important building in aesthetic, religious and historical aspects. I don't think the woman on the right was that keen to be part of the picture. Regards. Klaudio.

xuaxo (5703) 2009-10-03 11:23

Здравствуйте, Елена!
I like to see this daily life view. The church is beautiful even with the cars around.
That's interesting the sign "Aренда" on the wall. According to translation, it is like in Portuguese "Arrenda", which is similar.
Удачного дня!
Francisco (Франциско)