Faces of Tirana, a photo from Tirane, North

Photographer's Note

This is the centre of Tirana, capital of Albania. The Et'hem Bey Mosque, built around 1800, is the city's most famous landmark and one of the few mosques (or churches) left untouched by the Communist regime.

Behind it is the Clock tower, from where traditionally the best views of the city could be enjoyed. Obviously that is going to change, judging from the skyscraper being built in the background and other high rise buildings popping up here and there throughout the city.

In front of the mosque, but not quite visible here, is the huge Skanderbeg Square, Sheshi Skënderbeu, which is presently going through a major facelift.

worldcitizen, saxo042, Vasa, Graal, vasilpro, mjdundee, carlosmarin, s_lush, skippy007, skippy007, frunchy, aliabazari, pierrefonds, PiotrF, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

saxo042 (38078) 2011-07-26 8:54

Hej Gert,
A very interesting combination of many different architectural styles. The old mosque should have been left alone here, now the view is damaged by this highrise. Quite a p+ettern of black and white, the building reminds me of some Mary Quant design from the sixties... But the young girls here have probably not of heard of this style.
Hälsningar
Gunnar

macjake (98262) 2011-07-26 9:25

Hi Gert
again, Albania, seems like one of the forgotten countries in Europe - so its always a pleasure to see the city life from here.
This will be a wonderful spot to take photos, with all the colors, architecture, and busyness around.
cool views
cheers
craig

agjika (3177) 2011-07-26 13:42

Hi Gert,

I like your title as there seem to be a lot of faces in this photo, those of the people and those of the skyline. It is the first time for me that I see that huge building dwarfing the mosque and the clock tower by a lot! And it looks like will continue to built it even higher. I do not know what to make of this new skyline I suppose one has to wait to see when it is all finished. I know that the redesigning of the Centre of Tirana is the work of a Danish Architectural firm (I think!).

Very well composed with the verticality of the stuctures and the road signs, the three ladies very well placed and the men on the motorbike looking into the photo.

Thanks for sharing

Aleks

Vasa (515) 2011-07-26 16:26

The optimism on the street and ambicious projects. Nice presentation of Tirana, the city I would like to know better. Thank you Gert for sharing your privilege. I hope I will follow your feet. Warm regards,

Branko

emka (157280) 2011-07-26 23:33

Hi Gert,

Funny new skyscaper built, something in op-art style. But I would prefer it in farther distant from the historic buildings. I like this mosque. But we can see that Albania is also modernizing, interesting photo.

Warm regards

Malgo

Graal (103040) 2011-07-26 23:46

Hi Gert,
an interesting reportage about daily life in Tirana - today. Nice portraits of women, too. Well note and done photo.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

siamesa (28231) 2011-07-27 2:28

Bom dia Gert

Very interesting the architecture of that building in B&W.Excellent register. Albania is a country that we didn't have seen many photos of it.

Abraços
Maria

Gerrit (62042) 2011-07-27 4:43

Hi Gert,
that's a huge monster they are building there. Things really seem to be changing.
Fine ensemble.
regards, Gerrit

dkmurphys (79209) 2011-07-27 6:25

Hi Gert,
Interesting daily life scene. I like it, simple and attractive. Well done, have a good evening.

vasilpro (41801) 2011-07-28 8:01

Hello Gert,
Wonderful daily life composition from Tirana, interesting architectural details, excellent POV, very nice light management, natural colors, very good contrast.
Warm regards, Vasilis.

Disabled_A (0) 2011-07-28 13:45

Hello Gert,

this is such a strange, curious view... a strange combination of very different styles - and cultures! I mean the proximity of that "chequered" skyscraper and the clock tower (let alone the mosque!)
I've already said before that I like such photos because they tell us a lot about a place! many details... much to think of :)

varma hälsningar,
Elena
ps. raining here at last!!

abmdsudi (95869) 2011-07-30 1:54

Hi Gert
Very colorful streetscape, full of life and dynamic. Those buildings really attracted my attention as much as the ladies walking towards you. You are well spotted and that smile for the camera is perfect in the frame. There is a huge explosion of painted red colour in the middle of this rather tame urban environment and the new skyscrapper looks rather awkward in design but it provides a stunning color contrast which is a plus point here. Its a well framed vertically, excellent clarity and nice colors and overall contrast. Another exciting daily scene Congrats. TFS
Best regards

mjdundee (4663) 2011-08-02 22:40

Wow - Gert,
One phot that shows everything!
Grace, beauty, heritage and unbelievable ugly monstrosity. A scenery like from a cartoon. It looks like Albania is about to jump from the middleages straight into the 22nd century.
TFS
Thomas

Angshu (56760) 2011-08-03 3:25

Hello Gert
Somehow the skyscraper doesn't seem to fit in here. The middle age feel with the church spire, the mosque minaret is being overshadowed by the not so pleasant modern architecture. Good daily life scene, with the girls seemingly amused at your taking their picture!
Best Regards
Angshu

carlosmarin (11954) 2011-08-04 0:01

Hello Gert,
Interesting scene from everyday life in Tirana, an unknown country for me.
Good descriptive note.
Good frame, with representative elements of the city.
Good composition and expressive colors.
TFS
Regards, Carlos

s_lush (16602) 2011-08-04 0:32

Hello Gert,
Your picture and note give a very good presentation of the central part of Albania's capital city, its people, old and modern architecture and street design. Excellently composed, skillfully captured and very well presented!
Best regards,
Sergiy

skippy007 (12510) 2011-08-04 2:48

Hello Gert, Interesting street scene, not only for the people in it but also the diverse architecture. The new building is very reminiscent of a giant chess board, king of weir but it looks to be wider at the top, an upside down look about it, one wonders what goes through these architects minds. Nice strong & contrasting colours & good detail.
Regards
Santo

UlfE (14641) 2011-08-22 0:42

HejGert,

A wonderful street scene. The three ladies in the foreground and the men on the moped are indeed very nice inclusions. I love the strong and vivid colours and the mix of different archtectural style. TFS and have nice week!

Hälsningar

Ulf

frunchy (1800) 2012-08-16 11:35

Hello Gert,

this is a wonderful shot of one of europe's least known capitals. I like the idea to include the modern tower together with the mosque on the right as well as the westernly looking people. A very colorful scene!

TFS, best regards, F.

Miguel82 (47110) 2013-05-11 10:02

Pretty woman of Albania Gert,
Nice view, excellent sharpness and depth
Fine colors, many details and monument
Bye

aliabazari (21221) 2014-10-04 21:36

Hi Gert
I love this shot of the street, and people. Women look attractive camera. Thank you for submitting this picture

pierrefonds (113552) 2016-09-30 15:34

Hi Gert,

you have captured well a daily life scene. The length of the street is giving depth to the composition. The point of view is showing the details of the buildings. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jmdias (114240) 2017-03-20 6:49

gert

looks like few things from the past survived in the town.curious that building in chess shapes, looks it is wider in the higher area than in the base. excellent inclusion of people.

hugs

jorge

PiotrF (54246) 2017-06-05 12:33

Hello Gert
This is my destination in three weeks:)
A good point of view,excellent perspective and depth. Good composition and quality.
Nice presentation.
Regards
Piotr

COSTANTINO (115499) 2020-04-20 23:16

Hello dear friend
when I see photos like this one
I am always feeling sad and particularly
with people...
From now one everybody will
have distance from the other
away from places with a lot
of people
what a pity!!!!
regards
Costantino