Public Works Department, a photo from Uppland, Svealand

Photographer's Note

I love to take photos in the streets of colourful and/or funny sights. So when I saw this security guard in his bright vest leaning on a metal pole and the two workers wearing bright jackets resting on a bench with an ice cream each, I just had to take a picture.

I admit the title 'Public Works Department' may be slightly far-fetched. I have no idea if these men were publicly employed, but I couldn't resist the temptation to make a reference to the probably global joke that public employees don't waste more energy than necessary.

This was taken at the northern edge of Stockholm's Old Town, Gamla stan. In the background is a glimpse of a side wall of the Parliament, located on a small island called Helgeandsholmen (Holy Spirit's Islet). Between the two grey walls behind the seated men is a narrow natural canal separating Helgeandsholmen from Gamla stan ('The City between the bridges').

If the guard would turn right and start walking he would reach the perimeter of the Royal Palace after some 30–40 meters.

Click at Map: view to see where I took this.

Fis2, pajaran, ChrisJ, ikeharel, COSTANTINO, pierrefonds, Royaldevon, jean113, jhm, PaulVDV, adramad, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Fis2 (170861) 2021-05-08 0:29

Witaj Gert!
I hit today :)
Nice scene from street.
Persons add flavor to this composition.
Good framing, colors and light.
I like this zcene from daily life.
Have a nice weekend.
Krzysztof

pajaran (115989) 2021-05-08 0:52

Pozdrav.
Interesantan pogled i trenutak, dobar tekst ...
Lepo mesto sa cvecem i ograda, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i uhvacenim tenutkom.
Klupe cekaju umorne setace da odmore pored cveca i uzivaju u lepm mirisu.
Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja

ChrisJ (171884) 2021-05-08 0:54

Hej Gert

A good daily life scene of the security guard and the 2 bg workers showing their humanity, that doesn't necessarily fit the ultra tough guy 'Rambo' image. The 2 circular flower beds create a line between the guard and the workers, all in bright colours contrasting well with the grey surroundings. Tfs!

ikeharel (113427) 2021-05-08 1:20

Well, Gert, public workers have to get some rest from hard work...
Fun to take such moments.
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike

*** I will post a picture with a deep view down the Vadi canyon, far better than the WS posted already. Thanks.

COSTANTINO (116580) 2021-05-08 3:28

hello dear Gert and have a nice day
You did your best by taking such
a picture from the street with
colorful eye catching details
a good daily life scenery
taken perfectly
the right timing
photo with great lightness
too
regards
cOSTANTINO

pierrefonds (114536) 2021-05-08 5:11

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the action of the workers. The red-orange cones are eye-catching. The point of view is showing the details of the flower pots. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-05-08 6:07

Hello Gert,

Yes, I smiled!!

Public workmen have a great reputation for working at a very moderate speed (at the very best of times)!
I just loved the suggestion that these two had sneaked off from work and were being paid to have an ice-cream (costs to Stockholm Council) whilst, unknown to them, the security guard had been assigned the job of prosecuting any workmen not working as scheduled!!!

A very fun, well exposed, well composed, photograph!

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

jean113 (27893) 2021-05-08 8:31

Hello Gert, there is a strong yet invisible diagonal line linking the two elements of the scene. I wonder if the two workmen had spotted you with your camera, they seem to be looking your way.
Unsure as to what the orange shapes are, nevertheless they add to the scene. And I spy a scooter standing on the pavement!
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards, Jean.

jhm (211736) 2021-05-08 10:27

Hello, Gert,

I think that the most joke become made with civil servants.
Your picture is very successful with boxes with flowers.
The workers must also take a break, against fatigue!
Pleasant detail view too.
An excellent composition and presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John

jmdias (115252) 2021-05-08 13:04

gert

yes, there is a legend about that, the public workers have not so much energy at work. of course many people works a lot too.
nice and funny image.

take care

jorge

PaulVDV (62978) 2021-05-08 13:24

Hello Gert,
I understand that 'vakt' is Swedish for 'guard'. We would say 'bewaker'. However, 'skydds' for 'security' does not seem to have any connection with Dutch or English.
I have the impression that the two men eating an ice cream think it is funny that you can take a picture of the guard behind his back.
Who makes the biggest mistake? Workmen who eat an ice cream during working hours or a security guard who does not see that the security situation is being photographed?
Best regards, Paul

lousat (139332) 2021-05-08 15:30

Hi Gert,This way of thinking about civil servants is not only famous in your country, on the contrary ... in Italy you see big squadrons with 1 working and 9 watching..ahaha..a really nice scene of everyday life but also a way to talk about this issue. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

GyurMaster (24840) 2021-05-09 3:18

Dear Gert,

You utilized this opportunity very well and it resulted in a photo with a touch of humour. Of course public workers are really the same in Hungary except for the fact that they would drink beer instead of having an ice-cream. On the other hand I can really understand them: for that wage of the Hungarian public workers I wouldn't strive to do the work quickly either...

Best Wishes,
Gy.

Tue (92470) 2021-05-09 9:49

Hej Gert,
De meget lyse farver af mændenes dragter står meget godt frem fra de tomme gader, men også blomsterne ser meget attraktive ud. Et meget godt indtryk fra det rolige liv i Sveriges politiske hjerte.
Lars

ifege (48159) 2021-05-09 21:22

Hi Gert
Perhaps a bit of artistic licence in the title but a good street photo with the high- vis gear.
Cheers
Ian

adramad (73006) 2021-05-11 11:48

Hi Gert.
A very beautiful and lively part of the city, adorned with those large flowerpots full of flowers, the men in the orange jumper seem to be watching the policeman.
Good perspective of the image, very pleasing to the eye.
Colorful, sharpness and luminosity are captured effectively.
Very good composition, magnificent presentation.
Have a good day.
Warm greetings.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (68623) 2021-05-18 21:59

Hello Gert,
Hmm, is he sleeping on the job? It's a good thing he can't be identified, otherwise this photo could be used against him.
Regards,
MT

kasianowak (17676) 2021-06-01 2:28

Hi Gert
This is great. I like the splashes of colour and the scene you photographed. Also, good title, it captures the essence of what is happening in the photo.
I expected a workshop image of something that happened next, but I suppose nothing of great note happened. They just finished eating ice-cream, got up and left (or remained seated).
Best wishes
Kat