"The Winding Ancient Stair", a photo from Budapest, West

Photographer's Note

Another winding staircase from Budapest. The boy was running down as though he had been an apparition, an angel with a shock of golden curly hair in this old, crumbling staircase.

"I summon to the winding ancient stair;
Set all your mind upon the steep ascent,
Upon the broken, crumbling battlement,
Upon the breathless starlit air,
Upon the star that marks the hidden pole;
Fix every wandering thought upon
That quarter where all thought is done:
Who can distinguish darkness from the soul?"
--from W.B. Yeats: A Dialogue of Self and Soul

PIERRE-HENRI-AU, ribeiroantonio, Paul65, sleon, luisafonso, KevRyan, falves, tcht, syd1946, delnaja, eleparc, AnimeshRay, marknunnerley, Elaine_Blath has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bruce_wayne (1507) 2007-04-26 19:03

Very interesting picture. You chosen good perspective and sepia filter is a good idea!
Well done!

Bruce W.

james-r (676) 2007-04-26 19:08

Haven't been here for a while, playing elsewhere, but delighted that when I came back on the first page was one of your shots.

The curves of both sets of banisters play off nicely against the straight lines of the stone steps - a superb composition. Well done and a delight to see. It's the rare shots like this that keep me coming back.

gabrielpat (7163) 2007-04-26 19:17

joli coup d'oeil,Sarolta.J'aime beaucoup l'aspect "argentique" du bruit qui ressemble à un beau grain.c'est pas clair mon truc..tu auras compris quand même!!amicalement.

paura (25802) 2007-04-26 19:25

Interesting shot here, Sarolta. The low speed exposure result in a very nice effect.

Paulo

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2007-04-26 19:28

And life keeps going with a young person in a hurrying down an old stairway. As usual, you have here a perfect light control and a beautiful B&W picture. The grainy aspect adds to the beauty of the photo. Well done.
Antonio

Dpbours (222) 2007-04-26 19:46

Nice movement in this picture. Good contrast with the banister in the picture. I'm missing the comment on the sepia filter as bit. Think it's pehaps a quadtone setting and not a sepia filter. 'Low speed exposure', what was the exposure?

Greetings, Dennis

bigboroboy (1098) 2007-04-26 19:57 [Comment]

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broglia (3604) 2007-04-26 20:03

Fabulous image Sasa - the graininess gives a very nostalgic feel that befits the architecture. The view down the stairwell and the radiating steps leads the eye beautifully. The slight motion blur a pure delight. Best regards, Roberto

recepyuksel (18640) 2007-04-26 20:28 [Comment]

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jonathan_hart (21276) 2007-04-26 20:48

hello
good PP work, great composition, nice curves, light well managed, good photo, esthetic
regards
jo

innerlight (0) 2007-04-26 21:33

Sirolta
There are so many wonderful elements to this photo it is hard to know where to begin. Lighting, composition and more. But the most exciting thing is the sweeping swirl of emotion.
Keith

partha (14023) 2007-04-26 22:37

Hi Sarolta ,
I appriciate for its tonality of colour, the nice graphical representation and the human touch with the blurred motion.
Regards.
partha

jjcordier (79299) 2007-04-27 1:06

Sarolta
J'espère qu'un modérateur ne supprimera pas cette photo (certes plus TL que TE) très originale qui montre tout ton talent et ta créativité.
Amicalement
JJ

jinju (14265) 2007-04-27 1:31

Great shot Sasa,

so, you found this staoicase and camped out? I would have waited hours here, this perspective is just too good to passby. The shot rminds me a lot of HCB's shot of the biker...similar motion blur, similar perspective....superb

cbrman (21685) 2007-04-27 2:00

Hello Sarolta,

Ce qui m'attire dans cette image très bien composée, c'est son grain ! Le rendu de l'image est je trouve très approprié et apporte un air de photographie du passé qui colle parfaitement avec l'allure défraichie de cette ancienne cage d'escalier !
J'aime beaucoup ce trou qui crée une perspective vers le bas !
Bravo !

A+

Dominique

bantonbuju (51815) 2007-04-27 3:05

there is some harmony in this "dance" of the rushing boy, uneven staircase barieer, and some signs of decay on the steps...this harmony makes a tune here, maybe a waltz?...
stamps of the time elapsed are scattered everywhere but there is some strong dose of optymism thanks to that beam of light on the boy...
bw, j.

faubry (35447) 2007-04-27 3:32

bonjour Sasa, again one interesting shot with actio, i like blurred boy, great work like usual..
have a good day
francine

sleon (9402) 2007-04-27 3:39

Hi Sasa
Absolutely marvellous composition. I love the curve of the staircase which gives such a fluid and dynamic flow, and the person in motion is perfectly placed. Great range of tones and textures too, which makes this an excellent choice for monochrome.
Regards, Susanna

Luciano75 (0) 2007-04-27 3:40

Hello Sasa

Excellent shot...well seen and composed.
Nothing more to add...really good good work.
TFS

Cheers

luisafonso (862) 2007-04-27 3:44

How many days did you passed seated on staircases while in Hungary my dear...? :) Great photo once again. This time I will leave the graphical praise for others because this one breathes texture from every pour. The atmosphere of abandon here is so incredible that I almost thought that this would look amazing even without the blurred kid. Of course, your inclusion of this young soul is crucial and gives a lot of dynamic to the shot. But the light, the raw shadows, the grain, all that boost an incredible mood. Like it a lot.

jasmis (58653) 2007-04-27 3:46

Impressive high POV, proper shutter time to get some blur of moving silhouette. And B&W mode working here very well. And of course quite fine note.
Regards.

KevRyan (22956) 2007-04-27 4:01

You inhabit the soul of Budapest and surely connect me with the city.....I find it more and more calling to me.....that's a real Gandalf staircase........that trace of human movement is magical - the graininess is wonderful.....my vertigo increasing........

lovely work Hobbit

g the w

delkoo (68) 2007-04-27 4:08

hi sarolta,
I am very admiring in front of such a photo,curves contrasting with the lines of stairs as well as the motion blur and the sweet b&w,

An intense moment of photography.

didier
-:))

japiey (10163) 2007-04-27 4:52 [Comment]

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falves (1405) 2007-04-27 6:09

Hi Sasa, WOW, This one is so good. Full of contrasts. The old and static staircase in opposition of the young boy running through it it's the major key here. The b/w conversion as well as the grainy aspect creates even a more special mood here. It's not hard to feel the ambience of this old stairs.
Take Care
Fred

brevbrev14 (140) 2007-04-27 7:07

Hi Sasa, we have the image near in the gallery..:)
great work!
i love your compo here and the wonderful light from the window.
The texture of this old wall is beautiful and a sign of the time..
It seems an image from the past!
ciao!
Valeria

vapours (8264) 2007-04-27 7:52

Real haunting vibe you've achieved in this shot Sarolta, as the ghost moves down the old staircase. Love the peeling paint on the steps as well.

RGatward (20108) 2007-04-27 10:02

Oh those staircases are so fantastic, and the turn of the centaury blocks in Budapest seem to be abut the most interesting to be found anywhere. Well done catching the child in this one.

tcht (7565) 2007-04-27 11:52

Hi Sasa
great 'spiral-staircase' composition. I like the placement of the subject nearly leaving the frame and your sepia toning is, as usual, very effective. In fact this shot reminds me of the one taken by HCB but with a biker leaving the frame and different staircase, yet the same mood is captured. great soht.
Cheers
CheukHin

AmiBe (6042) 2007-04-27 16:46

Hi Sasa,
Budapest seems to be an excellent place for such old stairs with a lot of history.
Excellent b/w conversion with an esthetics noise.
Good POV and motion blur.
I like it, rgs

syd1946 (1167) 2007-04-27 17:21

Hi Sasa,
Like a very old photo.I love all the details in this capture,the black and white the point you take the shot and the motion of the little boy!and the note of course...

I wish you a very nice weekend,
Thomas

bwiti (402) 2007-04-27 17:30

Superbe composition... Le point de vue ainsi que les teintes donnent à votre photo une veritable elegance... Pourtant je le sais, il est toujours bon d'avoir son appareil photo à portée de main... Felicitations...

umbrellaphotos (1901) 2007-04-27 18:05

Sarolta,
Pretty cool image - I like the grain you added and the choice of black and white over color - although, I bet this image in color would be pretty cool too. Nice composition.

Nicely seen and captured,

Brian

devimeuxbe (58557) 2007-04-28 4:06

Hi sarolta
This picture is maybe little bit noisy but the POV is excellent and the shade in the stairs is great.
Well done
Bertrand

michiels (4170) 2007-04-28 7:44

hello Sasa,

GORGEOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
perfect grain used here, and what a compo.
when is your exhibition ???
greetings, inn :)

sc07 (1292) 2007-04-28 10:49

Hi Sasa!
I am sorry, I don't comment all the photos I like in your gallery...because I would feel quite bored saying "Wonderfully delicate" everyday ;)
Anyway..French would say this one is a great "chef d'oeuvre". Everything is perfect, while enjoying this picture, I feel like visiting a Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibition...
Seb

kensimage (8563) 2007-04-28 13:22

Classic Sasa stuff here! The clear design of the shot, the strong textures, the slightly unstable POV--it all comes together to capture the feel of an old European building, worn but familiar. Pleasing to the eye as well as great storytelling. Regards, Ken.

SamB (1948) 2007-04-28 15:40

Hello, Sasa--
Nice work here, i like the shutter speed selection, holding just enough detail in the boy to see him, but keeping a good dynamic blur. The curves of the stairwell are nicely composed, pulling from a horizontal at the bottom right to a vertical at the top right, and i feel like the noise goes well with the mood of the piece.
Thanks!
sam

rigoletto (34279) 2007-04-28 18:35

Hi Sasa,
Nice colors in this moody photo. Very nice that it is such a spontaneous feeling, and the curvature of the stairs look very attractive. Good essence of movement...
Cheers
Deniz

Luko (14000) 2007-04-28 20:29

One of your strictest, most formal composition. It cannot fail, classical as Franz Ferdinand and the Austro-hungarian empire... Strongly romantic feel also, can I call you Sissi, Sasa? Won't even mention the viennese chocolate processing.

This photo is like having a handful of aces, everyone should love it. I'm sure that posterized, it would sell loads

PeterC (2242) 2007-04-29 9:53

Sasa,
Great timing and o love your framing here. With the curve of the stairs it has such a natural feel to it. The person in motion really adds to the dynamism.
Cheers
Peter

ninaL (21348) 2007-04-29 10:42

HI, Sarolta.
Beautiful capture of a beautiful piece of this old building.
Lovely mood, good effect of sepia here, nice light.
Best wishes. Grazyna.

pilpel-adom (3018) 2007-04-29 13:17

Hey Sarolta!
Lovely composition with the right combination of shade and light play, the dynamics of the kid (enhanced by the swirl of the staircase and the use of slow shutter speed) and good sepia conversion to give this frame a sort of atmosphere, youth maybe..
Well done!
Chen

delnaja (2056) 2007-04-30 7:11

this grain! Beautiful! Perfect composition with the child on the left, in the curve... excellent one again : )

anes_lc (14968) 2007-04-30 15:55

i study all your picture verry carefull .i try to learn from the best :)
i can understand easy what it means great picture if i look at this
thanks for share
anes

eleparc (24063) 2007-05-01 7:26

it has this old europe breathe, and your talent exhalts this feel! I am an inconditional fan!
Eric

prezntime (3946) 2007-05-02 22:33

Hello Sarolta.
What did he see? Lets hope there is no deep water outside this dark building, where he can plunge into the depths straight out of Kafkas dream. The intense weight of these tones and the gritty presentation turn this photo into a display of mood manipulation. You know, we've all heard the utmost (huf, huf) description of photography; "it is painting with light." Here you've lent much force to that striking truth.
Regards,
Chris.

sothy81 (9646) 2007-05-03 16:42

Excellent shot Sasa. Very done with this graphical view. A person walking by added mood in to the picture. Well used of the color effect. Well done. Sothy

AnimeshRay (9089) 2007-05-06 1:13

I had missed this earlier, Sasa, oh how could I have! A poetry in light and shadow, of dreams of a childhood lost!

dilane (861) 2007-05-08 4:21

Hi sarolta
quelle belle compo à l'ancienne!!!!!!!!!
le tirage me rapelle ma jeunesse quand il y avait du bon papier
la compo est digne de célébres photographes aujourd'hui disparus
super
amitiés dilane

doubay (674) 2007-05-08 9:46

Hi Sarolta,
very artistic compo with great POV and framing.
Regards
Andreas

atlantida (2323) 2007-05-11 5:38

Uhhh, very beautiful, there's always something about those spiral stairs, b&w with a sepia tone is perfect, the person included is perfect, the shadows are perfect, the perspective catching a big curve is perfect, very very nice done.
Regards,
Gordana

marknunnerley (2780) 2007-05-14 9:00

Hi Sasa,
the one good thing about being away for a few months means I have plenty to see. This is your style all the way. Love it. Going to Budapest next month so will look for some winding staircases ;)
br
mark

szabcsi (181) 2007-05-15 16:58

This photo is really worth the point it has already earned!
Powerful composition, nice lights, good choice of shutter-speed to reflect little boy's movement.
I can say no more...Appreciated to see it!

Szabolcs

Elaine_Blath (8471) 2007-05-16 5:57

Hi Sarolta,

this photo is such a beauty...goes immediately among my favourites...love the movement, the graphical composition, the sepia toning..well done, really!

Take care, Ivana

AnneCanon (64) 2007-05-17 14:03

Hi Sirolta,

The moving subject passes through the light, just for you to catch him, before vanishing in the dark again. The location and the staicase are gorgeously beautiful. You make a great composition out of this place, with an original point of view. AM

kenmac (529) 2007-06-02 19:34

Hello Sarolta, I'm new to TE and for a while thought I would see only rather boring travelogue style images..how wrong. This has class written all over it. A beautifully composed shot with a lovely moody feel reminiscent of HCB. Congratulations. ( When I work out how to put things into favourites..this is my 1st ) :-)
Cheers
Ken

rozy975 (3047) 2007-06-03 20:19

This is a gorgeous one.
Grainy, black&white, moody...
Very well done!

-------------------------
"An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind." Mahatma Ghandi

marietom (34611) 2007-10-26 1:41

Superbe compo, cette fois encore, avec ce personnage flou qui descend, et cette superbe matière sur les marches !
Marie

tehanu_f (6896) 2007-10-29 14:38

Beautiful! So very poetic and stylish...It has the look of French movies. I love it..and I love the poem from one of my favorite poets.
Best wishes.
Fusun

azizbilgili (2111) 2009-07-02 2:48