Maintaining British Icons, a photo from Malta, South

Photographer's Note

While traditional red phone booths seem to be slowly disappearing from Britain, there's plenty of them in Malta. Probably these are from times before the country gained independence in 1964, just like many of Malta's buses.
The booths are well maintained and obviously have modern technology inside.

Dedicated to Kath Featherstone.

redrash, jassy, fotomis, danos, kiwi_explorer, feather, ascardino, kmarscher, xuaxo, maloutim ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

ben4321 (9875) 2007-04-11 6:00

At least some people still value these iconic examples of British street furniture. Here in Britain we're replacing them with glass and plastic crap, just like everywhere else in the world. It's good to see them being maintained, and if it wasn't for the signs on the phone boxes, I'd have assumed you had taken this in the UK. Actually I wouldn't, the BT engineers are too lazy to put this kind of work in, that's why they're replacing them with the glass and plastic crap that's easy to wipe down after it's been vandalised.
Excuse the rant, I like this shot. It's well composed and shows an interesting aspect of Maltese life, as well as telling people something of the island's history.
Good work Kari.

Cheers,
Ben

thor68 (5586) 2007-04-11 6:02

at least malta keeps the empire´s heritage in order.*g*
great "action"-shot- kari! :-)
i wonder how many times those phone booths were painted during their lifetime and nice to see they are still around..somewhere.
here in germany we used to have yellow ones - almost all gone by now.
great capture & best wishes, thor.

PixelTerror (0) 2007-04-11 6:06

Terve Kari,
How nice to see they keep and maintain them, I remember well Kath's picture and sad note, see people in Malta have more consideration for these nice remains of Brithsh heritage. Good well framed picture right into the action.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

tcht (7565) 2007-04-11 6:08

Hi Kari
Excellent follow up on Kath's post, it's really sad to see them going! Nicely taken pic, good documentary.
Cheers
CheukHin

pastadog (13111) 2007-04-11 7:15

Hi Kari - Colorful shot in unusual daily life activity... I also thought about that they are disappearing in England - but still there in Malta... I remember seeing quite a few when visiting that country, they really go well with the architecture shapes and color there, as we see in your photo... regards, Daniel

sajjadali (422) 2007-04-11 8:17

Long live the Queen !!

nice picture telling the story of former British Colony, that how much the people still caring for foot prints of their former lords !!

TFS !
Qureshi

danos (110407) 2007-04-12 4:23

Hello Kari,
i was think these traditional red phones which,is registered trade-mark of Britain,are still on their place.I read the note of ben4321,that all these had been replaced with plastic craps.
Never mind,I like your shot with this excellent red colour.It's an interesting aspect of Maltese life.Well done.
Regards,Danos

kiwi_explorer (12209) 2007-04-12 5:06

Hi Kari,
I like those red booths myself. A few years ago one went to auction ... I was keen in getting it for the garden ... unfortunately, it went beyond my budget. It is good Malta is looking after them because they give the place some character. Well captured and composed daily scene. Good job ... tfs.
Cheers,
Renier

RGatward (20108) 2007-04-12 5:46

Fascinating 'men at work' shot, I didn't know they had those things there, well caught arrangement of the men.

feather (51130) 2007-04-12 8:26

Thank you Kari; this is a surprise.
It's good to see these red phone boxes being taken care of. It seems Malta values the past more than the UK does. Excellent daily life shot.
Kath

ascardino (55) 2007-04-12 18:00

Nice shot Kari! I was surprised knowing this kind of booths are used in other places! Well done!

kmarscher (2887) 2007-05-16 8:00

This is my first look at your gallery and I appreciate the diversity of your collection. It shows you look everywhere with a photographic eye, if you will.

Here, you have captured a unique view at this over-photographed icon in a memorable and engaging way. This scene is easily overlooked and is a great lesson for me. Thanks you for this--it is refreshing on this sight. Like your intro comments too and ditto them.

xuaxo (6854) 2009-07-16 9:39

Hi Kari,
An unexpected view, as these booths are less used nowadays. Good composition, with the workers precisely with hands on the work.
I add this to the theme GB Red Telephone kiosks.
Greetings,
Francisco

maloutim (13617) 2013-05-02 21:08

Hi Kari,
Having recently been to Malta, I was naturally attracted by your red phone booths, as I was when I was there. I posted one too in my pic 204.
I like the way you caught these painters at work. It makes for a lively, realistic capture. They seem to be eager at doing a good job. The onlooking man looks as though he was waiting for the job to be finished before he could make a phone call :-))
Best wishes.
Marie-Louise.