Balls, a photo from Moscow, Center

Photographer's Note

Two balls and a jack were unearthed in the sarcophagus of an Egyptian Prince of the 52nd Century B.C. Thus there is archaeological evidence that a form of petanque was played over seventy centuries ago.

Subsequently there have been historical references in both France and England at the time of Edward the Third and Elizabeth the First.
What else could Drake have played on the Hoe at Plymouth? It is fact that a game played with cannon balls the size of cricket balls, was very popular with both soldiers and sailors at that time. In 1910 a new version was developed in the small town of La Ciotat, near Marseilles.
Interestingly it was adapted from a similar game of the time to enable a handicapped player to participate. It is this version that has become the standard throughout the world played to a set of internationally recognised rules.

Petanque is played throughout the British Isles. It is a sport for all ages and both sexes, it is classless and can be played wherever a reasonable surface can be found or created.

The concept of the game of pétanque is simple and similar to bowls, i.e. resting your boule closer to the jack than your opponent. However, instead of rolling wooden bowls over an immaculately maintained lawn, pétanque is played on an easily maintained area of fairly level 'stony' ground, with metal boule rolled or tossed to the jack.

goodwill, rtome, SophieL, redrash, cgrindahl, pasternak, neelkaak, ngythanh ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

s10001in (0) 2006-07-04 9:05

Dear Julia,
Very well done.
Sort of minimum work.
Yeah, true it is bit overexposed but looks quite great,.

Very well done.
RFS,
Shailendra

goodwill (4274) 2006-07-06 12:36

Hi Julia,
I am disapponted with your post today.
Overexposure on the right side of the frame has not done the justice I expect from the genius in you.
well ,I have tried a simple workshop.
Regards,
rajeev

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SophieL (6042) 2006-07-07 3:44

Well, I quite like this picture. Petanque is almost the national sport in France, and so to see this petanque player with the russian letters at the back is very strange for me (in a good way). I really like your composition, with the player on the side, showing only what's important: his hands, the boules. The shallow depth of field is good, and the contrasted colors (red/blue) as well. I don't mind the overexposure at all.
I don't agree with Rajeev's WS as it cuts away the letters, which for me are important. I propose a different framing as well, but I don't think your picture really needs it, it's just an experience.
Congratulations for this picture, it is really personnal, I like it a lot.

[workshop] [compare]

redrash (522) 2006-07-12 16:21

Good composition and beautiful light.

cgrindahl (6113) 2006-07-13 16:14

Delightful note and wonderfully simple, evocative image. Technically, the image is first rate with excellent clarity at the point of focus and lovely bokeh in the background. The subject, of course, is obscure for anyone without familiarity with this game, but your note admirably orients us to what we are seeing. Fine work on every level Julia. I'll definitely keep an eye out for your work. And welcome, again, to TE.

pasternak (15185) 2006-07-16 9:42

Привет, Юлия!

Очень хорошая фотка, как я мог ее пропустить? Мне нравится crop, и свет на шариках удачный. Замечательная "мелкая" глубина резкости, широкая диафрагма оправдывает себя.

Счастливо
Саша

yanseiler (20) 2006-07-25 8:13

Hi Julia, a good idea, this close-up is interesting and the contrats between the jean and the red background is also good, the highlights are maybe a bit strong...
Kindly
Yan

greg (2835) 2006-09-13 4:50

Hi Julia - I like how you composed this image, and the blocks of sunlight. I'm not sure about petanque being played throughout the British Isles... bowls, perhaps. You probably have to go to France for this one...

neelkaak (458) 2006-09-18 13:52

Hello Julia,
I like this one very much. Nice, balanced composition, beautiful contrasting colors, good sharpness as well as excellent use of DOF. Thanks for sharing.
Kazi

vapours (8264) 2006-10-23 20:23

Nice shot Julia. You provide the feeling that we are seeing a side of the player that we aren't supposed to see...his hands behind his back as he thinks of his next move. Well done.

ndb1958 (9289) 2007-01-18 10:25

Hi Julia,
this is really good. I like the crop you've chosen. Great composition. Colours and lightning are great.
Good job,
Nino