Photographer's Note
If you haven't been to Poland on 1 and 2 November you haven't really seen Poland (sorry Gert!). The All Saints' and All Souls' Days when the country is ablaze with candlelight, warm air hovering over every large necropolis and every small cemetery alike.
I find those places most appealing at dusk. Here, a woman praying by the grave of very young boys, members of Armia Krajowa (which I think translates into English as Home Army - see the link below). Venerated by some, controversial to others (especially our eastern neighbours in Ukraine), whatever one's opinion is of that resistance movement, it is hard not to sigh at the thought of all those lost lives.
This photo was taken last year, just after my return from war-torn Iraq. I couldn't stop thinking about other young people dying in military conflicts - the Peshmerga as well as their arch-enemies, Islamic State fighters. And all those numerous young people whose fate gets decided by circumstances, the simple fact of having been born in a given place and time.
In this particular cemetery, there is an empty grave - the symbolic resting place of my great-grandfather who perished in Auschwitz concentration camp in 1944.
Another photo in WS.
More about Home Army on wiki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_Army
holmertz, PiotrF, daddo, delpeoples, abmdsudi, GyurMaster, pajaran, jhm, macjake, CLODO, bukitgolfb301, boa, adores, ikeharel, maloutim marcou esta nota como útil
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mesutilgim
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(0) 2015-11-02 12:56
Hello Kasia,
Nice capture of this important day of Christianity.
Good pov and very nice warm light increasing the dramatism of the scenery.
Good notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM
holmertz
(103510) 2015-11-02 13:12
Hello Kasia,
Technical brilliance, perfect exposure, a very well placed woman - and all of that doesn't mean much in comparison with the deeply touching significance of what you show us. It's a blue hour photo which says so much more than the usual flood-lit palaces or churches that are so often shown here.
Other Polish members have made similar statements on the special importance of All Saints' Day in Poland. We celebrate it in Sweden too, and it is quite an important day for lots of people going to cemeteries looking similar to this, but I guess one main difference is that we don't have the thousands of missing souls to pray for. Our recent history has been very quiet ever since we stopped plundering Poland.
Well, I have nothing in my passport proving that I have been to Poland, so maybe it was all a dream...
Kind regards,
Gert
emka
(158644) 2015-11-02 14:24
Witaj Kasiu,
Rzeczywiście nasze polskie cmentarze na Wszystkich Świętych to niezwykle miejsca. Szczególnie poruszajacy jest widok wieczorem, z morzem zapalonych swiatełek i mnóstwem kwiatów. W Warszawie również byly takie miejsca, gdzie ludzie zapalali świeczki i wiedzieli dla kogo, choc nie było nic napisane. Mimo to, jakos niechętnie idę na cmentarz w to święto, tak troche z obowiązku, bo za duzo w tym wszystkim komercji, pospiechu... Poza tym w moim wieku to smutne mysleć ilu moich przyjaciół już odeszło. Niestety, już biorą coraz częściej z mojej półki. Wolę o tym nie mysleć.
Piekne zdjecie, znakomite światło, kadr, kolory, nastrój.
Pozdrawiam
MAłgorzata
PS. Ciekawa jestem, co zamierzasz zwiedzac w Birmie. Wybierasz sie do Mrauk U? A do Kakku?
PiotrF
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(55802) 2015-11-02 16:11
Czesc Kasiu,
Zdjecie o tej porze po prostu musi miec ten niepowtarzalny klimat. Swietna kolorystyka, dobry kadr.Jak pisala wczesniej Malgosia wdziera sie komercja w ten dzien, ale stanowi on mocne przezycie... zwlaszcza gdy niedawno odszedl ktos bliski
pozdrawiam
Piotr
daddo
(28748) 2015-11-02 20:39
Zdravo Kasia. Technically faultless. So, you have a connection with Auschwitz? I am intrigued. Is the empty grave just a Novak thing or does it stand for other victims as well? I presume the latter.Nice to remember those who have gone before us but I think you know my view of religions that preach salvation for the US and damnation for the THEM.Srdacni pozdrav. Klaudio.
delpeoples
(60342) 2015-11-03 4:59
Dear Kasia
Well it seems I must see Poland in November, although I may not survive the cold weather. I like the atmosphere you have created here with the warm tones and the Blue Hour sky. The graves are beautifully rendered and I love the light shining on the faces of the worshippers. Ceremonies such as these are very characteristic and are dying out. I still like that they are practised and your photo is a great historical document for future generations.
Warmest wishes
Lisa
abmdsudi
(95869) 2015-11-03 6:05
Hi Kasia
An extremely thought provoking, and somewhat emotive image. Love this incredible effect of a wonderful peaceful image, a place of peace, serenity and rest. Simply Awesome!
Well done, Congrats
Best wishes
GyurMaster
(24980) 2015-11-03 11:58
Hello Kasia,
Beautiful capture. The phenomenon you mentioned, 'a country ablaze with candlelight' is quite familiar to me: we do the same kind commemoration here in Hungary, but on the 31th of October and on the 1st of November.
Thanks for sharing!
Best Regards,
Gy.
danos
(110407) 2015-11-04 0:06
Witaj Kasia,
nice the snapshot from 'the All Saints' and All Souls' Days' with the woman to be in front of the burnt candles.I learnt about these days from Fis2.
Regards,Danos
macjake
(98544) 2015-11-04 3:44
Hi Kasia
a very touching and moving note, a personal note as well. I've been to Poland, but certainly not in November.
Having been born and raised in Canada all my life, i don't have such history, or such memories. We live a peaceful quite life in Canada, one without 'enemies'.
So when i hear such stories from Europe, its difficult for me to comprehend.
wonderful post Kasia, great work
cheers
craig
Tue
(93280) 2015-11-04 12:32
Hello Kasia,
The moment of the day you took this photo was very well chosen. The still partly lit sky and the warm hues of the stone of the graves, the sculptures and the trees make a wonderful combination. The lady is well included too.
Lars
CLODO
(45118) 2015-11-04 12:40
Good night Kasia
Last comment before departure to Manchester.
Very well thought picture with the candle lights illuminating the graves and trees, contrasting with the blue hour sky, and the black silhouette at 1/3 is completing well the image, giving some life to the cemetry
Cheers
CLODO
bukitgolfb301
(54014) 2015-11-04 18:45
Hi dear Kasia
Very interesting note and so impressive image!
Long shutter speed and the most appropriate exposure makes this great image, full of solemn and nostalgic mood. Daylight creates very natural and soft touch.
All the best and have a good day! Takero
shreya2000
(2815) 2015-11-04 21:22
Dear Kasia,
Very well story telling image from your side. I like the place of worship very calm and beautiful. The lighting candles are very nicely looking.
Regards,
joginder
boa
(8039) 2015-11-05 12:07
Hi Kasia,
a beautiful shot with a lot of atmosphere in the blue hour! A very good idea to include human presence in this well composed shot(that is almost allways a good idea depending of what kind of photo it is) In Sweden it is also a tradition, and very popular, with candles during these days. Tfs!
Have a nice evening/
Boa
Silvio1953
(222721) 2015-11-07 6:11
Ciao Kasia, fascinating sad composition, excellent exposure, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio
adores
(46979) 2015-12-28 16:27
Hi Kasia!
A very touching shot and I believe it's even more to you, once the cemetery is connected to the history of your family. The composition is perfect with all those candles on the graves and the woman praying. Here, on these days people decorate the graves with lots of flowers but it's not a tradition to put candles like this. Great shot!
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Kasia Nowak (kasianowak)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1692 W: 9 N: 3499]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(17676) - Genre: Pessoas
- Medium: Cor
- Date Taken: 2014-11-02
- Categories: Festivais
- Camera: Nikon D800, Nikkor 24-70 f2.8
- Exposição: f/11, 26 segundos
- Details: Tripod: Yes
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original, Workshop
- Date Submitted: 2015-11-02 12:54
Discussions
- To emka: Birma (1)
by kasianowak, last updated 2015-11-03 05:24 - To daddo: Graves and religions (1)
by kasianowak, last updated 2015-11-03 05:27
