Schwer in Schwerin, a photo from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, East

Photographer's Note

I just could not resist to use the word “schwer” in the title while talking about Schwerin. The German word “schwer” means “difficult” or “heavy”. Ironically, the name of the town does not originate from the German word. Instead, like many town names in Eastern Germany it comes from a Slavic word, from Polabian Zwierzyn, name of the Slavic town which existed there before arrival of Germans. It is quite interesting to realize that this originally Slavic region was conquered by Germans just in 1160. The history is written by the winners and so when you read about the history of these lands, they usually start with German settlers without going further back. Ironically, the lands which Poland won over from the Kievan Rus in the east roughly at the same time and which were for hundreds of years incorporated to Poland are perceived by Ukrainians as Ukrainian, while it would be seen ridiculous to claim rights to most of Eastern Germany by Slavic nations these days.
Even these days a weak country has no rights. A country which is strong and/or has strong allies can be as aggressive as it wants. Ironically, a strong military country may accuse the weak country of nationalism. History is not fair.

I have visited Schwerin two times, once in the pre-digital times and later again with a digital camera already. My favourite subject to photograph there, the spectacular Schwerin Castle, was every time covered with heavy scaffolding. Here I found a fragment of the castle which is mostly clear of the scaffolding. It was schwer, it was difficult to avoid it though. The castle is amazing, and it looks differently from every angle.
This is a scan from a print.

(source of info about Schwerin from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwerin).

53.623782, 11.418529

Fis2, ChrisJ, ikeharel, COSTANTINO, NickVu, Royaldevon, PaulVDV, jean113, jhm, macjake, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Fis2 (170669) 2021-02-19 13:20

Czesc Mariusz!
Ale perelki wykopujesz...
Znakomity fragment tego ciekawego zamku.
Znakomity POV i kompozycja.
Kolorki przenosza nas w czasie.
Milego weekendu.
Krzysztof

lousat (139198) 2021-02-19 14:40

Hi Mariusz,the show made by the building and perspective is truly great! Nice idea the naked branches on the top,and another time the best choice of moment with the best light,the result is very bright,absolutely perfect! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

ChrisJ (171818) 2021-02-19 19:48

Hi Mariusz,

I like the fine upward pov and the superb warm cold colour contrast between the blue grey sky and the coffee tan façade of the building. Tfs!

Silvio1953 (221493) 2021-02-19 20:16

Ciao Mariusz, great view of fantastic building, fine detaiis, splendid light, excelllent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

ifege (47993) 2021-02-19 20:31

Hi Mariusz
A good POV looking sharply up towards this spectacular castle. good detail and colour.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (147046) 2021-02-19 23:15

Hi Mariusz,
Nice architecture, well framed from a photogenic angle, perfect sharpness and light capture, good effect also with these branches in the top of your view, tfs.

COSTANTINO (116405) 2021-02-19 23:23

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
and a happy weekend
excellent chosen point of view
presenting this building with
impressive architectural details...
I like the big tree covering
this ancient building...
regards
costantino

Royaldevon (85862) 2021-02-20 2:35

Hello Mariusz,

History is what as happened, whether just or unjust. I suppose many lands could be claimed to have Italian roots because of the Roman Empire!!

You have done well with this cropped view of the castle, making sure that there is still a good sense of composition, besides capturing the fine details that you wish to share.
To me, it resembles a palace more than a castle, as it shows big, light accessing windows, rather than narrow slit windows.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

ikeharel (113273) 2021-02-20 3:00

A fine upwards view onto the castle, Mariusz, a bit difficult as mentioned - but exquisite sight of the turrets through the naked branches.
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike

PaulVDV (62846) 2021-02-20 3:05

Hello Mariusz,
I didn't know the history of that part of Germany but you're right that even today a country which is strong and has strong allies can be as aggressive as it wants. We should not look far in contemporary history to find more examples. Worse, the EU has no sympathy or assistance for those weak. It is silent in all languages ...
I understood the word 'schwer' but didn't know there was also a city with the name 'Schwerin'.
The castle has some beautiful turrets. Already in a more East-European style, I think.
The winter light made the facade and tower stand out well against the darker sky.
Best regards, Paul

jean113 (27819) 2021-02-20 6:47

Hello Mariusz, I am surprised that this is a castle, it reminds me more of a grand hotel.
The colour of the building contrasts nicely with the grey/blue sky, so it stands out in the thumbnails.
The bare branches of the tree fill that space and look good against the sky.
Interesting notes.
Kind regards, Jean.

pajaran (115805) 2021-02-20 8:10

Pozdrav.
lepa fasada i detalji, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i dobrim tekstom.
Lep stari dvorac, lepo drvo i oblaci koji najavljuju kisu.
Lepa fotografija i secanje.
Zelim vam lepo popodne, sve najbolje.
Paja.

jhm (211736) 2021-02-20 10:16

Hello Mariusz,

A wonderful frontage with decorative architectural parts.
An excellent composition and nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

macjake (98408) 2021-02-21 0:30

Hi Mariusz
great feeling to be back on TE and looking at your gallery.
this one stood out for me. Why...because I've never seen this building before, and I like the perspective as you took it from below. love the blue grey sky, and how the branches take up the dead space so well. after reading your note, perhaps you've posted a shot of this Castle before? anyways, it looks great here with the light striking it. cheers
Craig

jmdias (115072) 2021-02-21 7:45

mariusz

a curious façade with those sharp domes that gave it an unusual aspect. nice use of the nude branch here too.
take care

jorge

adramad (72940) 2021-03-08 8:57

Hi Mariusz.
What you show us here of the castle is fantastic, with all that set of square turrets integrated into the façade, with curious domes and the sensational corner circular tower, it is a marvel with many details on the façade, I suppose that in its entirety it will be exceptional.
The quality of the scan is supreme. I would like to scan some of my old photos, before the digital age, but I would need an easy-to-use scanner with good quality results. Which one do you have?
Sharpness, lighting, color, and the magnificent composition; they are all perfectly realized factors, in this precious image.
Well done. I like it a lot.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.