"What is better, a bike or a donkey?", a photo from Sughd, West

Photographer's Note

This is the canyon of the Shaganobburdon River above the large kishlak (village) of Ovchi in Ghonchi District of Sughd province of Tajikistan. From here, a steep ascent of the road with hairpin turns begins towards the Obburdon Pass (3961 m above sea level) through the Turkestan Range.

GPS coordinates: 39.522103 Lat, 69.093080 Long, 2571 m

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PaulVDV, fritzi007, danos, alvaraalto, adramad, Fis2, lucasgalodoido, ourania, PiotrF has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (83424) 2016-09-18 8:02

Hello Sergiy,
The scenery is stunning but the road looks rather scary. I would be afraid to go here by public transport, in case there is any. The herd of sheep suits this kind of scenery better than a car, but the man and the bike are well placed and make good focal points. It's interesting to watch the map and find this road in the wilderness. I am not surprised that Google's little yellow man refuses to travel this way.
Kind regards,
Gert

PaulVDV (49028) 2016-09-18 9:50

Hello Sergiy,
It looks like you've been traveling well off the beaten track.
Biking there must have been an adventure.
Beautiful mountainous landscape and even more attractive with the shepherd and the herd.
Well composed.
Best regards, Paul

lousat (121125) 2016-09-18 9:58

Hi Sergiy,funny title but in effect is a big question,it's sure that isn't easy to go with the bycicle in this difficult ground..heheh...great idea to show us this magnificent scenery,a pic from a country not often seen on TE very sharp and bright,useful note too! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

fritzi007 (14698) 2016-09-18 10:59

Hello Sergiy,
better it is by car, on the road looks dangerous!

greetings
Wolfgang

dta (95580) 2016-09-18 12:31

Hello Sergiy ,
A great and interesting composition . funny and very well chosen title .
The deep valley looks very impressive .
regards

danos (110395) 2016-09-18 13:15

Hello Sergiy,
nice the view of the place with the two shepherds to manipulate this herd of goats in the canyon the Shaganobburdon river with the brilliant light of the day to enhance the clarity as the details of the scene.The presentation of the bicycle in this altitude is a surprise as is difficult i think to ride it in this ground.So a donkey is better for their transportation.

regards,Danos

jemaflor (125811) 2016-09-18 23:34

Hi S,
Nice view, a well and interesting composition with the man and these animals, good light capture, great landscape, tfs.

saxo042 (38078) 2016-09-19 10:14

Hi Sergiy,
A fantastic landscape and a very interesting combination of "the old world" with modern times, represented by the bycycle. I also enjoyed the map view!
Kind regards
Gunnar

alvaraalto (38742) 2016-09-21 6:54

Hello Sergiy
I suppose this is your bike and the shepherd is looking with a mixture of admiration and unbelieve. In the Netherlands Steel Horse is a nickname of a bicycle so I think you can use them both in this fascinating landscape.
Amazing presentation.
Groet Rob

adramad (62756) 2016-09-22 8:10

Hi Sergiy.
Well, would not know that answer your question, I prefer the bike, but at that splendid mountain scenery, along the winding path and I guess good climbs, maybe I would decide by a donkey, but the only time I got one when I was a boy, I shot the ground.
Gorgeous color, which gives much strength to the image.
Very good brightness and perfect sharpness.
Well done. I like very much.
You have a good day.
Best wishes.
Luis.

carlo62 (81031) 2016-09-22 15:08

Ciao Sergiy
una scena originale per chi, come me, non è abituato a vedere questi scenari.
Simpatico il titolo e simpatico lo sguardo dell'uomo sulla bici.
Saluti
Carlo

Fis2 (142795) 2016-09-23 0:37

Witaj Sergiej!
Wonderful place, beautiful landscape.
Good POV, colors and sharoness.
The bicykl add flavor to this composition.
Good morning.
Krzysztof

abmdsudi (81662) 2016-09-23 8:15

Hi Sergiy
Lovely dramatic mountain scene and the shepherd does look as if admiring the bike and this always leave the viewer wondering, bridging the wondering gap so aptly all add to a great composition. Well done, TFS
Best regards

GiovanniG (3846) 2016-09-24 14:23

Ciao Sergiy,
Wonderful location captured with such detail and great exposure. You can see the impact of all the grazing of the sheep over the thousands of years it's happened. Reminds me of many of the countries in this part of the world where grazing and dry climates make a desert. Well done Sergiy!
Regards,
GiovanniG

gervaso (27399) 2016-09-25 8:30

Hello, Sergiy!

I think in this case a donkey would be much better! And the view of the mountains is great, with very good depth given by the distance between the biker and the donkeys! Excellent colors and sharpness! Wonderful composition! Well done!

macjake (92637) 2016-09-26 4:11

Hi Sergiy
great to see pictures from you!
this is a fantastic shot that shows the local landscape and the hard working men at their trade.
certainly a working man's life, no business men out here in suits and ties!
great to see the road lead through the photo creating depth and we get a sense of the dryness of the landscape and how arid it is out here, hope they have water!
fantastic post
cheers
Craig

Royaldevon (64434) 2016-09-26 9:18

Hello Sergiy,

For me, a donkey all the time!
With a donkey, I would find it easier to look upwards and admire the stunning scenery all around and, though the donkey might get a little tired, I would have lots of breath to exclaim the beauty!
The figures are so integral to the appreciation of the composition.
The single figure anchors the f/g, whilst the herdsman and his animals actively guide us in the b/g.
It's a beautiful photograph and I have really enjoyed perusing it!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Nicou (188578) 2016-09-27 8:42

Hello

Quelle image et vallée superbe quel croisement de montagne et ce troupeau qui avance ce berge et son vélo quelle compo et image superbe captage et vue.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

rychem (68021) 2016-09-27 22:18

In German language a bike it is ironically called "wire donkey" :)
Therefore your question is a adequate. Excellent picture, fantastic scene and perfect quality
regards Ryszard

sacimar (36907) 2016-09-28 12:29

Hello Sergiy,

interesting image and composition with the man and the bike, I like also the landscape, well seen,

Best regards,

Sergio

lucasgalodoido (26140) 2016-09-30 17:22

Olá Sergiy,
uma composição primorosa aqui, com todos elementos muito bem capturados. Qualidade excelente também. Belo trabalho.
Parabéns e Abraço,
Lucas

boa (8039) 2016-10-02 12:50

Hi Sergiy,
this is an excellent shot from an interesting part of the world! I like your fine composition and the great depth. But most of all I like this beautiful scenery!
Well done and Tfs!

Have a nice evening/
Boa

fotka (6583) 2016-10-11 3:38

Hi Sergiy,
It is nice to see you back on TE.
Fantastic shot from the country not often shown on TE. It looks like local guy can believe that someone can came here on bicycle. It seem like Tajikistan is country with a lot of mountains and sheep on the road.
Well done with great quality.
Kind regards,
Zbigniew

ourania (51103) 2016-10-11 12:37

Hello Sergiy,
your bike travels are certainly fascinating both for the places you rode through and observed and for the effort you made in challenging conditions. This picture must be a cherished souvenir for you and it offers a marvellous description to your viewers. I like the clear depiction of the landscape through bold lines, sharp textures, fine natural colours and an interesting story. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a good night,
Ourania

PiotrF (42798) 2016-10-24 16:09

Hello Sergiy,
Great series of photos from Tajikistan.Nice daily life scene here.
Very good perspective, excellent clarity and superb, colors.
Nice work.
Regards
Piotr