Russia's past glory, my bummer Photo

Photographer’s Note

This image was initially chosen by a Spanish travel magazine to publish in their special about Russia.
Miguel Parra brought me in contact with the editor of the magazine as they were looking for pictures of the Trans Siberian. I was rather excited about it, and mailed with the editor about all kinds of things. (Thanks very much, Miguel, I still have a lot of fun with the editor ;-))
Last week he confirmed that this one was going to be used, but in the end it was cancelled because the art director could lay her hands on a similar picture from Gerd Ludwig, who is a Nat Geo photog. Well, I can't compete with him. I was going to tell my friends on TE, once it was published, but now that the deal is off, I post it now. (And yes, I was a bit disappointed). I like the picture, but I hate the white sky, yet it gives a good idea of a Siberian place, I guess, and who knows they might have put text over the white sky.
This was taken in Tajschet, on a saturday afternoon. The Mongolian traders had a very busy time, all people from the village wanted to buy stuff. It was a nice station as they had big stairs from which you could photograph the lot without being crushed.

efigesta, mortijo, Isabelle, robjol, nwoehnl, KevRyan, jrj, Jazator, bertolucci, yogi32 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

RGatward (19751) 2005-11-01 3:21

Shame, lovely shot, don't mind the sky,lots of interest. Looks like it was taken from your TSR express.

danielswalsh (13330) 2005-11-01 3:52

Hello Rinnie;

It's a great shot, I see why they would contemplate using it Rinnie. All the business of the trains, cables, and metal makes for a nice shot!
Sorry to hear they didn't use your photo for the article, but I'm sure there will be many more to come. I had one of my shots from Cambodia used for a magazine front cover earlier this year, but have had a few fall through since. I look up to the photographers from National Geographic- amazing they are.

All the best "Rinie" (did I get you wound up with the spelling of your name?) Hahaha...

Cheers,
- Dan

ChrisJ (70443) 2005-11-01 5:01

Hi Rinie

Look at this way: It's their loss & TE's gain. tfp. A superb daily life shot with loads of character. Good work!

efigesta (12181) 2005-11-01 5:04

Hi Rinnie, nice shot, the composition is so great, with a nice colors and a lots of a rich interestes, regards manuel

mortijo (12416) 2005-11-01 5:11

With all the wires the church looks wrapped up as some present for a 'bazar'. Very nice colors. Pitty for the setback with the deal. Don't worry, there will be other occasions.

Fixfocus (9377) 2005-11-01 5:37

Hi Rinie,
I can understand that you are disappointed,but it´s hard to compete with the profs.A great picture,the little church surrounded and framed by all those details from the train station.
Have a nice day,
hermann

everlasting (10942) 2005-11-01 6:20

Too bad, Rinie. Their loss I think.
I dont mind the white sky, there is so much going on in the picture that my attention would not have noticed how white the sky was. I would normally not like all the wires and cables inundated the shot, but as in an earlier post of yours it does not detract it adds!
Cheer up:)

Kenny10pin (19301) 2005-11-01 6:44

great shot of the building behind the lines, I like the foreground too, very different from the background building

robjol (2069) 2005-11-01 7:00

Hello Rinie,
Lots of good colours in your photo, plus lots of details.nearly to hear the sounds of a rail station.
Like it,
Regards
Rob.

Michael_Gan (2772) 2005-11-01 7:09

What a pity, but if you have little more patience and be pro-active I'm sure you can have some work of yours published. Anyway, this is a very nice picture. Very crowded, but not chaotic. The combination of the traditional church and the industrial appearance of the railway is very nice. And I do like the white sky. I was trying to imagine this picture with a blue sky, but I think that this white sky is even better. It emphasizes the industrial 'feel' of the picture.

pitai (3925) 2005-11-01 7:10

Hi Rinie, nice pic, i like the POV and colors, regards gabriel

Isabelle (9014) 2005-11-01 8:58

as i told you, Rinie, this is not one of your best shots, but i agree with the others, their loss. also, they know now your work, then, sooner or later your name will be considered for other places :) (Brasil or Paraguay, who knows?)

cgrindahl (6109) 2005-11-01 11:03

Wonderful Rinie! This is perfect to my eye. You capture the reality of the world into which you dropped during your trip. I note that you shot this with a telephoto lens at 170mm which compresses the elements to add intensity to the scene. Colors and details are finely rendered. I love the rusted elements, the rail cars, the towers carrying wires. The place feels well worn, which I don't doubt is true. The contrast of the industrial foreground with the lovely church in the background is wonderful. It speaks to the the tension that exists as traditional values are pushed aside in the name of "progress." The magazine's loss is our gain. Fine work.

MiguelP (14336) 2005-11-01 14:56

After talk about your photo I will visit this mister Gerd Whatever... Yes, you are right about the sky, but after all I suppose it´s how the siberian roof looks most of the time. I have let you know about the photo in private so just encourage you, I´m sure they will call to your door again. Bye amiga.

nwoehnl (120) 2005-11-01 15:40

Hi Rinie. Too bad about how the story turned out, but as a few of the folks already mentioned, the upside of it is that we get to see your photo now and have a chance to comment on it. Actually the white sky that seems to bother you so much is about the last thing I notice about this photo - there is so much more rich detail in it to absorb the viewer's attention. An interesting blend of the trainyard details and the small church in the back. Well done, and I am sure that one day there will be another opportunity without a NatGeo photog in your way :)

Galeota (10334) 2005-11-01 16:51

Heyyyyy...Miss Rinie, there we go. What's all this fuss about "past glory"? You know you shine upon this site, don't you? I've rarely seen such a chaotic image of contradiction between past and present times. Hope this is not revealing of your state of mind, otherwise we'll have to find you a specialist, with a white blouse and an frying pan on his head. Very nice..

KevRyan (22422) 2005-11-01 18:31

A really rich and full image Rinie - great detail - such an interesting image - sorry you got upstaged last minute - but it is nice we get to see it I agree - I like the softness of the colours and for me too the sky doesn't overly bother me.

best wishes Kev

ps Interesting to see that he took the shot of the children with missing forearms - quite famous - I didn't notice this about the kids until I looked at it a second time - very nice portfolio - thanks for sharing the link.

jrj (34779) 2005-11-02 4:15

Sure an interesting shot Rinie. A mix and blend of details very contrasting. Tight well made and disposed compo.

spence (1679) 2005-11-02 6:32

Bummer indeed, Rinie, but I'm sure your chance will come. An interesting scene you've caught here, rich in detail and with excellent colour and sharpness.

oochappan (22032) 2005-11-02 17:01

Hallo Rinie, ik heb je link gevolgd en moet zeggen dze moet zeker niet onderdoen, mooi gezien dit contrast van dit rangeerstation t.o.v. dit nostalgisch kerkje, een klare mooi gekleurde foto.

bertolucci (12014) 2005-11-06 11:29

Hi Rinie, wat een heerlijk druk beeld, vol met gritty en grimy spoorwegtechniek en de fijne architectuur van de kerk op de achtergrond. Een feest van vormen en lijnen. Heel vervelend dat het niet doorgegaan is inerdaad, maar een andere mogelijkheid zal op duiken. Mooi werk!
Bert