Riga - Latvian Riflemen Photo

Photographer’s Note

I must have done something to really upset the gods of photography. I had hoped to get for my birthday some cute shots of blossming cherry trees in Washington D.C., but both days not a single ray of sun appeared. and after I complained about this to a friend, she was genuinly surprised that I had such a bad camera that I needed a sunshine for photos. no comments.
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with no cherry tree to show, I'll keep posting photos from Riga, this time a shot with two men, seagull and church tower with a rooster on top of it.

the church is St.Peter's church that I had climbed to have these - one, two, three - photos. this church, which is one of the best samples of Gothic architecture in the Baltics, was first mentioned in 1209 as the merchants church, and it served as their meeting place as well. it was a Catholic church until 1523, when during the Reformation it turned Lutheran. in 1408-1409 Rostock architect I. Rummeschotel added a new altar part the existing building, while other construction works continued in 1456, and by 1473 the old church was almost entirey reconstructed. the most famous part of the church is the tower that has had quite a bad luck - it was was struck by lightning 6 times collapsing on two of these occasions, in 1666 and again in 1721. then it was burned down several times - the last one was right on St.Peter's Day in 1941. before World War II it was the highest wooden building in Europe (the curent height of the tower is 123,25 m).

the momument is dedicated to Latvian Riflemen - military formations assembled starting 1915 in Latvia in order to defend Baltic territories against Germans in World War I. initially the battalions were formed by volunteers, but from 1916 - by conscription among the Latvian population; a total of about 40,000 troops were drafted into the Latvian Riflemen Division. from 1915 to 1917, Latvian Riflemen fought in the Russian army against the Germans in positions along Daugava river, and in December 1916 and January 1917 they suffered heavy casualties in month-long Christmas Battles which began with a surprise attack on German positions during Christmas. although heavily outnumbered, Latvian riflemen managed to break the German line of defense, but the effort was wasted as the attack was not continued. as a result, the Russian Army lost over 26,000 soldiers in this failed attack, among them 9,000 Latvian riflemen, about a third of the total number at that time. these heavy casualties resulted in a strong resentment for the Russian generals and tsar among the riflemen, which, in turn, led to an increased support for the Bolsheviks, who were advocating an end to the war and had promised to recognise Latvia's independence. consequently, in 1917, part of Latvian riflemen sided with the Bolsheviks, became known as Red Latvian Riflemen and actively participated in the Russian Civil War. they fought against Denikin, Yudenich, and Wrangel, and in 1919 the division received the highest military recognition of that time: the Honorable Red Flag of VTsIK. Latvian Red Riflemen officer Jukums Vācietis became the first commander-in-chief of the Red Army (J.Vācietis was a rare example of notable Soviet leaders who were not members of the Communist Party. he was executed during the purges in 1938, but was rehabilitated in 1957). the Latvian Red Riflemen were instrumental in the attempt to establish Soviet rule in Latvia in 1919, but they suffered great losses of personnel due to the decreasing popularity of Bolshevik ideas, and the majority of riflemen were re-deployed to other fronts of the Russian Civil War, including Vladivostok in Far East. following the 1920 peace treaty between Latvia and Bolshevist Russia, 11,395 former Red Riflemen returned to Latvia.

in 1917, a smaller number of Latvian Riflemen (mainly officers and intellectuals) did not side with the Bolsheviks and became known as White Riflemen. some were very active in trying to prevent Bolshevik ideas from spreading among the Latvian soldiers, but the physical and moral exhaustion after the bloody Christmas and January battles was fruitful ground for Lenin's ideology. opponents left, or were forced to leave, military service or joined the White forces. during last phase of the Russian Civil War, two Latvian regiments were created in Far East of Russia, but they did not take part in military action, and were sent to Latvia, by then already an independent nation.

since the restoration of independence in Latvia in 1991, the issue of how to describe the Riflemen in general and RED Riflemen in particular has been one of the most controversial questions. some see the Red Riflemen as pro-communists and want the statue removed, while others see them as pro-Latvian and want the statue to remain. some say that this statue is for all Riflemen - Red AND White, because all of them believed they were acting in the best interests of Latvia, while the others remind that when erected, the momument was meant to be dedicated to the supporters of Bolsheviks only.

Floydian, Greg1949, cfreire, molla, scobert, zmey, fulvio52, steliosk, gunbud, pasternak, dlevy23, Dpbours, MayaG, jwmunro, Wandering_Dan, jorgi, sonkai, Tue, wishlist, ElAprendiz, JorgeCK, aloyho, Angshu, plimrn, serp2000, Aviller has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Floydian (30970) 2008-04-08 5:28

Hello Kristine,
For that single day of sunshine on your trip you really caught good images. The strong contrast between the red and blue is wonderful thanks to the polariser.
The composition with the tower on the left is very clever, but for me small details like that bird in between is a kind of touch i very much like to see...beautiful.
Regards, Henk

Greg1949 (8519) 2008-04-08 5:34

Powerful image Kristine, the focus and contrast are as hard as the stone, great capture. The whole frame is good even the bird in the middle helps make it stronger.

Greg

cfreire (11667) 2008-04-08 5:47

Hi Kristine,
Beautiful image and well captured with great point of view and perspective. This statues present a severe air as if they will be guardians of something very important. The contrasts, lights and framing are richly handled. Well done, regards, Consuelo

afderrick (330) 2008-04-08 6:56

Very nice photo and good note. I didn't even notice the rooster until after reading the note and going back to look at the picture, very nice and sorry you can't get any sunshine in DC.

scobert (5333) 2008-04-08 7:27

Hi Kristine,
This is a fantastic photograph and your notes are the finest example of note writing that I have seen on the Trek Earth forum so far. I especially love the way that you have included the three different perspectives of this grand old survivor (St. Peter's Church). You might try to write a travel article sometime. You have the writing and photographic talent for this and the patience for it. Excellent photo and fantastic notes. I am, frankly, very disappointed in many of the Trek Earth members who rush through the gallery at warp speed and I know that many people dont' even bother to read the photographer's notes. Your notes are a treasure trove of geographical and historical information. Keep up the outstanding work!
Stan

[3]

zmey (7282) 2008-04-08 7:32

hey there :))

imnaaho, an effective rendition of the tough latvian red rifelemen statue. i like the composition (how you have managed to incorporate St. Pete's church steeple) and the light-work. strong contrasts on the sculpture help too. good job! :)

hugs,
k.

ps. looking at these guys i remember a novel i read as an adolescent: about how bolsheviks would send latvian red riflemen against russian white officer corps... supposedly, russian soldiers drafted from the peasantry would refuse to attack white officers displaying tzar's and Church's regalia. latvian red riflemen supposedly did not have aforementioned cultural restraints to mow the whites down... on a different note, many of the latvian red riflemen who remained in the soviet union after 1920-ies were killed during Stalin's purges in 1937...

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-04-08 11:11

Hi Kristine,
this is what I personally consider a very dreamy, intriguing POV. My mind wanders beyond and beneath, trying to guess what's out there. Lots of times, when painting oil on canvas, it's more important what you leave out than what you put in... IMHAAHO, something that applies to this shot too. Striking contrast between reds and blues and a nice little touch with that lonely bird.
Excellent job.
Happy Birthday! I didn't know it.

Have a great day, I'll see ya soon.
Ciao,
Fulvio.

steliosk (4784) 2008-04-08 14:32

Hello Kristine,
same high quality here, one of the things I enjoy visiting your gallery.
Excellent exposure/colour management. The POV might be a little tight at the bottom, but I guess you wanted to avoid something there didn't you.

Useful note, marked as always.
Many Regards my friend
Stelios

bracasha75 (22387) 2008-04-08 15:24

Hi Kristine
One very impresive shot who show us strain of past times and people who have give his best (live)for this country that younger generation cane live today in peace, excellent image
TFS
Cheers,Braca

gunbud (28161) 2008-04-08 18:06

Hi Kristine,
The red Riflemen standout wonderfully agains this vibrant blue sky. The old church tower adds nice scale and fills the sky nicely. Excellent details and sharpness to this fine historic image.
Regards, Tom

Dpbours (220) 2008-04-09 7:02

Hi Kristine,

Hahaha, that is just a great comment of your friend! Yes, I also am too much focussed to sunshine days, while cloudy days can produce nice photographs as well.
I like how you see a single line of the roof as well. It would have been a bit lost, that tower, and the chimneys, without the line of that roof. And yes, as Henk already points out, the bird is placed very nicely.

Greetings, Dennis

dlevy23 (2018) 2008-04-09 7:05

Hi Kristine, first of all, what a great note!!!
Nice composition and colors. A couple of thigs, I would cropped the bottom of the photo a little bit so the red of the roof doesn show. it is not showing enough to be part of the photo. The other thing, and I don't agree 100% but somebody told me this, is when the bird on the photo is not big enough, some times could be a distraction to the eyes, I actually like it, so like I said, I don't agree but some time it applied.
great job and looking foward to your next posting.

Daniel

jmdias (19861) 2008-04-09 7:45

kristine

fantastic colors and light. I liked the way you put the sculptures and the tower inside the image. Perfect work. congratulations

jorge

MayaG (2393) 2008-04-09 9:01

Your note about blossoms makes me smile, as I've been (unsuccessfully) trying to find some cute trees before the blossoms are gone. And a belated Happy Birthday! That makes you an...Aries! nice :)
I like the strength of this photograph. not only the strong verticals, but the colours as well (i've always liked polarizer effect a lot!) Also, the angle seems good because the statue on the left keeps 'staring' at the viewer, making a very strong contact. A good one!

Wandering_Dan (3293) 2008-04-09 9:25

Hi, Kristine -

"Ooh, nice!" was my immediate reaction when I saw this one. An incredible capture using minimalist elements, and (unlike dlevy23) I really like the way you included the bit of red roof at the bottom. I find it provides a platform for the tower which would otherwise be hanging there, as would the flagpole.

All the Baltics are having issues with the old Soviet monuments, as you know. Estonia tried to get rid of one, and the Russians hacked the government website.

Best,
Dan

jwmunro (6255) 2008-04-09 9:28

Hello Kristine -

Politics aside I think that some of your countrymen are right as the statues represent hero's doing what is good for their country. It's just too bad they have the communist/Stalin monster look to them. The photograph is impeccable with the composition and the technical rendering. I am not sure I would really have recognized the bird but it is a good touch.

Thank you for sharing.

John

PS: I agree with my friend Scobert the note is informative and well written.

ricochet (4818) 2008-04-09 13:24

Bonjour Kristine
Une superbe composition bien équilibrée avec un excellent cadrage. La lumière est également superbe et met parfaitement en valeur les statues, le tout avec de très belles couleurs.
Cette semaine je regardais justement pour faire un petit séjour à Riga et tes photos me donnent encore plus envie de m'y rendre, Quel est le meilleur moment pour se rendre en Latvia?
Bravo à toi
Amicalement
Eric

jorgi (3804) 2008-04-09 22:56

Hello Kristine,

Thank god for quiet mornings when I can find few moments to write few messages here on TE. I can see we are still admireing Riga site seeing on that marvelus sunny day already manifestated through yours prevous posts. Magnificent statue in memory of brave riflemen illuminated by georgeous light creating strong shadowed parts, creating strong graphical impact. I like powerful and dominant masses of sharp and determined lines in contrast to detailed and sophisticated tower in second plan. Both motives balance image excellently in aspect of colours as in aspect of placement inside the frame. Hopefully gods will have some mercy on you soon. :)

Happy birthday! :)
Jeri
PS: I just wonder, is it in april or march...?

pasternak (13646) 2008-04-10 1:00

Fantastic composition and light which provides nice colour contrast here, the gull couldn't have been placed better. Sharp eyes you have. I only wonder if the narrow line of red just below the spire isn't too narrow, a bit more of it would have provided the match to the colours of the statue. Interesting notes too. Your and zmey's notes are frequently good lessons in history!

Cheers
A.

PS А Маринину ты по-русски читаешь?.. :))

marietom (32076) 2008-04-10 8:43

Hello Kristine,

j'aime beaucoup ta composition aux couleurs contrastées. Une bien belle idée de cadrage !
Bonne soirée
Marie

Tue (25608) 2008-04-10 11:47

Hi Kristine,
Excellent capture, a very nice combination of the statue and the church tower. The reddish hue of the stone makes the artwork stand out wonderfully against the sky and the light is really enhancing too. Very well seen, thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

wishlist (4133) 2008-04-10 12:51

Hello Kristine,
what a beautiful use of the polariser! the contrast, pretty strong, between the statues against the blue sky is what make the difference here, beside the beauty of the compo. Amazing quality throughout, this pic is bright and clean, it's crisp and it seems I can breath the fresh air..truly remarkable piece of work!
My compliments!
Regards,

Igor

ElAprendiz (7370) 2008-04-11 12:41

Hi Kristine:

Ufff, excellent composition, where the light, no doubt, has played a very important role.

The shades of statues, with this extreme sharpness, contrast with the wonders of the dome tore, and the sky so blue.

And that small gull which overlooks the distance, dynamic environment, quite naturally. Great work.

John

JorgeCK (2600) 2008-04-11 16:00

Hi Kristine,
Powerful shot with an excellent composition.
Very good contrast bewteen the sky and this statues. Very good light management and sharpness.
TFS
joRge

aloyho (6109) 2008-04-12 4:59

Hi Kristine,
There are strong contrast between the elements here but you managed to achieve unity through this carefully planned composition. I like how the clouds held the two main elements together while the bird provided that pinch of interest. Well done!!

All the best and thanks.

rbcy1974 (20746) 2008-04-18 3:22

Hello Kristine:
What a wonderfully composed photo: the light couldnt be any better and you have captured a great angle which gives this statues life! The juxtaposition between the statue and the tower on the background is very dramatic.
Nicely done
regards
Daniel

Angshu (34099) 2008-04-22 0:35

Hello Kristine
A fantastic compo. & crop as well. What I like a lit is the balance in the composition with the spire of the St. Peter's church & the monument of the Riflemen, both against the blue polarised sky. The gull is perfectly placed between the two. I also like the glint of sunlight on the weathercock on top of the spire. An excellent work indeed!! And I cannot but not mention about your notes. Loaded with information & links, almost a tarvellogue of the highest quality.
Best Regards
Angshu

plimrn (19710) 2008-04-23 7:42

Hi Kristine,
The photography gods certainly were on your side while you were in Latavia - and they were right. I'd rather see & learn about this very moving monument framed against the splendid sky than another cherry blossom scene. Your story is fascinating. I like the group that says both groups werre trying to do what they thought was best for Latavia. You certainly couldn't have written such a good story about cherry blossoms,
HLJ, Pat

mikolaj_kawa (31259) 2008-05-01 9:20

Hello Kristine! Wonderful POV. Good light, very good colors. Amazing capture. Fantastic effect. Good luck!

smarcell (14653) 2008-05-06 0:29

A very good composition, with both the two statue and the tower in the background.
I just would crop the little red line in the bottom left.
Regards Stefano

foozi (4735) 2008-09-04 21:01

Hello Kristine ,
a very special shot. great blue sky with nice building tops and statues. what interest me most is the inclusive of the flying bird between them. Such a lovely situation. the colour contrast is excellent and a brilliant composition.

regards,
Foozi

serp2000 (9707) 2009-02-20 11:09

Privet, Kristine,
It was sad story in our history. I read about Latvian riflemen few books. But... life is life. Fine shot with a nice colours. I never been in Latvia and other Baltic countries. It is my oldest dream.
All the best wishes from Ural,
Serghei

faubry (32419) 2009-03-02 17:45

wonderful presentation and composition;; i would like visit your country, i was at Vilnius.
superb image, thanks
francine

Photo Information

Copyright: Kristine KM (avene) (11138)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-05
Categories: Architecture, Artwork
Camera: Nikon D 200, Nikkor 18-200 3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR, Nikon CircPolar II 72mm
Exposure: f/11, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-04-08 5:22