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lost world


lost world
Photo Information
Copyright: Michal Grabowski (cedryk) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 50 N: 1722] (5270)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-18
Categories: River
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 8700, 35-280 - f2.8-4.2, @ ISO 50, Hoya UV Filter
Exposure: f/3.2, 1/600 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Mountains, Rivers [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-01-07 17:17
Viewed: 6681
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Albania is sort of a lost or maybe forgotten world. As I wrote in one of my previous posts - you don't hear too much about this country in media. Is it good or bad? Whom to ask about it, to get the true answer?

Going to Albania last September we really didn't know what to expect - it was a true trip to an unknown land. While being there, it really appeared to be a wonderful country - of course with its own troubles and flaws, and extremely different from all other countries in Europe, including all Balkan states.

Some way, some sort of absurd mixture between XIXth and XXIth centuries was created in that country. You see people travelling everyday on donkeys in the mountains but chatting through modern cell-phones. You see butchers slaughtering calves and lambs directly on a streat in large city, people living in fortified stone houses in northern Albania (region where still some sort of mediaeval tradition with right of bloody vendetta rules) but having satelite dishes on their roofs, roads without asphalt and luxurious mercedes s-class on them.
And of course you see people, looking a bit lost in all this civilisation and cultural chaos but extremely open and friendly to newcommers. Amazing experience, believe me...

This photo I took an evening before that terrible stormy night I wrote about previously. In fact in the upper right corner you may see the road we followed that evening. Awesome, isn't it!? The day was very humid and warm with several showers, so the air wasn't clear enough and you'll see some delicate mist in the air.

The hills on the left belong to the Bytyc Mountains, a border between Albania and Kosovo. The water down there is a huge artificial reservoir (Liqueni i Fierzes) with area of 73 square km, created on the Drin river, the longest (335 km) river in Albania.
Some 20 kilometers behind there is a large dam (Fierze Dam) and hydroelectric power-plant. Albania relies on this energy to such extent that in extremely dry summers when level of water drops down, large parts of the country are without electricity.

Yes, it's a strange country of its own kind. How long will it remain such and how it will change? Anyway, if you want to see it as it is now... you must hurry up, my friends....
red45, thistle, horia, dew77, ramthakur, metcher, RAP, SunToucher, uleko, PDP, herkingen, edal, peter_stoeckl, LCannon, Isu, gerdakettner has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1538 W: 5 N: 2240] (12636)
  • [2007-01-07 19:16]

Superbe prise sur cet endroit extraordinaire. Ce paysage est très Joli et agréable à regarder.

Merci Michal!
Joseph

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9100] (31094)
  • [2007-01-08 2:29]

Czesc Michal!

Ale miejsce! Nie udalo sie w poprzednim roku, ale moze w tym moja noga trafi na Albanie :-) Zdjecie jest super, podoba mi sie ilosc zieleniny i bardzo ciekawe uksztaltowanie okolic rzeki. Wyszedl bardzo szeroki kadr, prawie jak z lustrzanki :-) Jedno tylko mi sie nie podoba - te gory sa taki jak w kotorze - nie ma tam takiego prawdziwego, 'naszego' lasu tylko jakies wysuszone gaiki ;-)

Witaj! :-)
Sliczna fotka! Strasznie duzo przestrzeni, swietne kolory i swiatlo. Miales troche szczescia z pogoda, to lekko zachmurzone niebo wyglada super.
Bardzo mi sie podoba!

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2007-01-08 4:35]

Hi Michal

What a splendid picture and what a gorgeous note!
So many things, so much information...i'm sure most of the TN-ers will read it with pleasure, for you are right - we all know very few things about this country.
Returning to the photo, it's wonderful!
I really like the warm light falling on those tree-tops and the hills there, the interesing and beautiful effect of the water adn the charming clouds in the sky to boost the overall composition.
Everything is just as it should be :)
Very well done!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

hello michal

Albania is a very beautiful country as proves it your photograph very beautiful sight cheer

eric

Hello Michal,

Excllent work, great colors Bg POV DOF perfect details very crisp, nicly composed and capture photo excllent use of light the forground and BG is really well done

TFS Kyle

Hello Michal,
Your very analytical description of Albania evokes mighty interest in this country still floundering between the old and the new.
The view of the artificial lake from higher vantage point is fascinating, indeed. The depth of view is splendid and that cute little hamlet in the forground looks so unspoilt and peaceful.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving your valuable critique; I appreciate it.
Warm regards,
Ram

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2007-01-08 11:36]

Hello Michal,
Beautiful landscape,looks like a painting.POV,colors,DOF,lighting and composition are excellent.
TFS...:-)

Hi, Michal.
Very beautiful view and composition. I think that you have perfectly placed the water reservoir here. Good exposure also and looks really good.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2007-01-08 14:23]

Otro envidiable punto de vista Michal para mostrarnos la belleza de esta región de Albania.
Me encanta la profundidad lograda, con las montañas en conjunción con las nubes creando un efecto 3D muy agradable.
Bellos colores bien naturales con apropiado encuadre y presentación.
Excelente nota complementaria.
Gracias y saludos... Ricardo

Another enviable point of view Michal to show us the beauty of this region of Albania.
I love achieved depth, with the mountains in conjunction with the clouds creating an effect 3D very pleasant.
Very natural beautiful colors with appropriate framing and presentation.
Excellent complementary note.
Thank you and regards... Ricardo

Hi Michal,
I've read you story with much pleasure. It gives such a good idea of what one can expect when visiting Albania. If ou then combine it with this stunning photo, I am almost tempted to cancel my plans for Scotland and visit Albania. But, I think I just put it in my list of countries I need to see before I die. :)
The view of this photo is just awesome. Love the hills and the water and the colors.
TFS,
Niek

hi michal,
lovely shot,
well composed with fine pov,
lovely colours,
very well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-01-09 4:53]

Hello Michal,
First of all I must say that I found your note very interesting! Then you've posted a wonderful wild landscape taken from an excellent angle and showing depth and colours beautifully. Nice light too even though the clouds seem wuite wild.
Many thanks and best wishes, Ulla

  •      
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2007-01-09 18:09]

Lovely shot Michal, the composition is very good and nice light here too. Lots of interest throughout the photo. Well done.

Hi Michal,
Wow..what a nice view of Albania! Nature there is really beautiful!! Nice colours and good composition!
Best from Holland, Arie:)

oh my goodness, it does look like a lost world...amazing photo, great pov , its beautiful!
TFS
Donna :o)




Thanks for your comments and smilie on my photo "riding it out" :o)

  • Great 
  • edal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 374 W: 48 N: 413] (1853)
  • [2007-01-12 14:38]

Witaj Michal!
Thanks for letting me travel with you to this different country - part of our European diversity. Your pov is impressive, the sharpness and colors are a great argument in defense of the beauty of the strange world...
TFS
Anton

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 503 W: 43 N: 657] (2178)
  • [2007-01-12 23:50]

Quite the beautiful landscape Michal!
Practically makes me ready to trade my place if someone was willing and all the particulars could be worked out...;-)
Thanks,
Dave
ps Little Cai is still in the hospital, but we do feel he will be going home w/ mom and dad when the time is right. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Thank you so much, mf ,for your comment on "Serendipity! for Cai"

Hello Michal,
most beautiful description, both in picture and in words.
Thank you! Best regards,
Peter

I'm sure the people who live in this lovely place would like it to remain the same. It looks like a very peaceful place, somewhere to spend time unwinding from our stressed world. I think you've captured the beauty quite well, it looks like a lovely postcard to encourage tourism. Wonderful POV and colors are splendid, well done!

  • Great 
  • Isu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 313 W: 0 N: 21] (1663)
  • [2007-03-17 21:06]

Hola Michal, buen tiro y agradable panoramica, colores muy marcados y nitidos, me gusta.Saludos Sira

Hi Michal
breathtaking view simply beautiful thanks for sharing

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