World through wheels, a photo from Noord-Holland, South

Photographer's Note

In Holland cycling is part and parcel of daily life. No wonder, because Holland's 16 million people own approximately 13 million bicycles. The Dutch use their bicycles as a mean of transportation rather than a recreational sport. The bike is used for everything: for grocery shopping, to commute to work, school or university, and so on, and so on. Hollands moderate climate, short distances and flat roads all serve to make the bicycle a logical means of transportation. Add to this about 17,000 kilometers of specially designated bicycle paths and routes and you will understand why cycling in Holland is not only practical, but also quite enjoyable. Especially if you can negotiate at least a temporary agreement with the wind...;)))

The photo was made last Saturday in the centre of Amsterdam, undoubtedly the most "cycling" city in the Netherlands. The world is really seen there through bicycle wheels...

luisafonso, syd1946, john_c, Cretense, Silke, fabio_ts, Xalkida, keribar ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

Davidh34 (838) 2006-10-30 5:30

Hi Alexander

Good POV. I like that the bikes are ordinary and an everyday item. In the UK you only ever see mountain bikes, or racing bikes, all in flash colours. This is a good shot of daily life. I would also like to have seen a view with more of 'Amsterdam', perhaps from a few paces back, to shot the bikes in context of the city. But maybe that's another posting! TFS

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2006-10-30 5:57

Hi Alexander.

Jajajajajajaja, It reminds me my trip to Holand where the bikes where everywhere!!!

Good idea of somethng so typicall with the close up to the bikes.

Rgs, Oscar

Ulishna (2268) 2006-10-30 6:11

Саша, привет,
отличная фотография! Отличная перспектива получилась и ромашка сбоку такая трогательная:))
Юля

bantonbuju (51815) 2006-10-30 6:20

privjet aljek,
bravo for teh concept, but to my taste it lacks some contrast, i'd like to see it somehow radically contrasted so that we have a stronger impact of the wheels (right now they do not dominate, which i think was the intention here);
anyhow - bravo for the creativity;
bw, j.

luisafonso (862) 2006-10-30 6:27

Great shot Alexander in a perfect b&w. I do not miss contrast here, although Jerzy has his point here. For me it is your pov choice that gives this preeminence to the row of wheels. Seeing them so huge in the frame is truly amazing. I am not a lover of these tight crops but here it does make all the sense. Great one!

xavshot (69835) 2006-10-30 6:36

Bonjour Alexander
belle idée et belle réalisation. J'aime beaucoup ce n&b qui donne un côté rétro à la photo. Bravo
Xavier

syd1946 (1167) 2006-10-30 7:55

Hi Alexander,
I love this!I always like scenes and pictures with bikes.Your composition is really wonderful and original.The b/w format is the only way in my opinion.
I enjoy it!

Thomas

john_c (24666) 2006-10-30 10:35

Hi Alexander,
An innovative, unique presentation of bicycles, with superb lines and graphism. The B&W format is really apropos and the clarity of detail excellent. Perhaps a little more light and contrast on the wheels would have been nice, but that is minor. The overall effect is very pleasing. Well captured.
John

Cretense (68709) 2006-10-30 15:10

Hi Alexander!

Very impressive picture! Unusual subject and POV, a very original idea, that had an equally great realisation. Congratulations!

Hercules

Silke (3027) 2006-10-30 19:16

Superb textures, lines and forms and excellent notes to go with this shot. TFS
Silke

fabio_ts (13696) 2006-10-31 3:53

A classic from Holland Alexander, really well composed by you, also the choice of B&W is perfect for this kind of image, compliments!!

have a nice day,
Fabio.

jlynx (12647) 2006-10-31 4:22

Hallo Aleksander,
I think to myself that the resoluteness was well, if would move a little right. Then we would see bulges of tyres in the good perspective thus ourselves increased manifold elements of wheels. The picture he would become more quiet and more concrete though I will admit that and now very to me is pleasing for the idea, the choice of the technique B&W and behind splendid handiwork.
Best regards,
Jurek

PixelTerror (0) 2006-10-31 4:35

Privet Alexander,
I like the idea and the PoV to view through this perspective of wheels, but I find the image a bit overloaded, however I can't suggest a different way to take this !
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

feather (51130) 2006-11-01 10:32

Very creative idea Alexander, especially the tight crop. I like all the repetition; the most eyecatching of the repeating motifs is the line of posts disappearing with the perspective. The bike wheels don't have the same effect presumably because of differing sizes etc. I don't think the effect would be anything like as good in colour.
Kath

devimeuxbe (58557) 2006-11-02 18:16

Hi Alexander
interesting composition whith these bicycle.
This is an interesting frame.
Well done
Bertrand

Scharan (14144) 2006-11-04 21:06

Olá Alexander
Ótima captura, foto bastante criativa e de muito bom gosto. Um trabalho diferente e interessante Alexander, parabéns.
Grande abraço,
Vera.

designsoul (17843) 2006-11-06 17:10

This is a lovely and very playful image, Aleksander. It brings a lightness to the evening! Your original pov brings not only that little painted flower to the fore but also the lovely architecture beyond. Wonderful ambiance!
sasa

Xalkida (11744) 2006-11-12 18:32

Hi Alexander

Definately bicycles are Amsterdam and Amsterdam is bicycles!

Excellent shot, great POV and depth. Excellent choise of B&W. Indeed a cardpostal from this fine and unique city! TFS!

greg64g (11193) 2006-11-13 3:38

hi Alexander

Nice pov, very original the composition, and that's a great symbol of the netherland
great b&w
cheers
greg

danyy (0) 2006-11-13 4:49

Bonjour Alexander,
une photo qui montre comment obtenir une vue très originale et inhabituelle avec des choses simples, telles des roues de vélo.
Le traitement BW donne un aspect intemporel, renforçant les 'vieux' vélos.
Un cadrage efficace.
Best regards.
Daniel.

sebcz (2345) 2006-11-22 3:33

Hi Alexander!
Athough I am a keen biker, I have never been to the cyclist paradise - Holland. But I have already learned a lot about it here, TE.
Nice composition and good B/W choice, I am sure the colours were just too many.
Seb

keribar (43841) 2007-08-11 23:46

Hello Alex,
A very nice one not only because we can see many many wheels inside the big one, but because we can also see that we are in Holland. I also like the flower designs on the left and the fact that it is BW. What I don't understand is how the picture comes out so sharp at F: 2,8 ..
Keep going - Izzet

Photo Information

Copyright: Alexander Pasternak (pasternak) (15185)
Genre: Lugares
Medium: Blanco y negro
Date Taken: 2006-10-28
Categories: Vida cotidiana, Transportes
Camera: Canon PowerShot A95
Exposición: f/2.8, 1/60 segundos
More Photo Info: view
Versión de la foto: Versión original
Tema(s): Vélib', Vélo'v ...., My B&W photos, Your favorites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-10-30 5:17
Favoritos: 1 [Ver]