A grand place, a photo from Kyyivska, West

Photographer's Note

This is a view towards St. Michael's Gold-Domed Monastery (Mykhaylivs’kyi zolotoverkhyi monastyr) in central Kiev (Kyiv). Originally built in the 12th century the monastery was pulled down in the 1930's and what we see today is a new bulding, only about ten years old.

As I took this picture I had my back towards St. Sophia's Cathedral (Sofiysky Sobor). The square and street between the cathedral and the monastery form one of the most magnificent areas I have seen in any European city. Some of the guests at an international luxury hotel, to the right outside this photo, have a marvellous view from their windows.

The statue to the left shows a Cossack hero, Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

In workshops you can see a closer view of the monastery and the cathedral.

kato, saxo042, RhodieIke, subhendu_bagchi, paololg, vasilpro, tyro, Budapestman, jhm, Kielia, abmdsudi, Angshu, kordinator, ourania, PaulVDV ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

dkmurphys (79209) 2011-10-15 2:17

Hi Gert,
Very fine atmosphere in that beautiful big square. Well catch scene, enjoy the weekend.

boa (8039) 2011-10-15 2:31

Hi Gert,
it is interesting to see the pictures from your latest trip to eastern Europe. The boulevard leads the eyes to the monastery with matching color to the blue sky, after a closer look we can also see a disabled man to the left in the frame, a very fine composition ! I might have considered removing the electrical wires above the street in the PP but that is just a minor detail. I am looking forward to see more of your photos from Ukraine, Tfs !
Hälsningar.
Boa

kato (11630) 2011-10-15 3:17

Hello Gert,

You're capturing well this cityscape by a good composition and excellent clarity, so it's interesting to see open space of this city and the monastery/the cathedral with blue/white wall and unique shape. In spite of a capital, it is quiet and visible to the town of a calm atmosphere.

Regards,
mikio

emka (157292) 2011-10-15 3:27

Hi Gert,

I liked most the view of St. Sofia from bell tower in WS. It is great. I like this postcard with Chmielnicki Monument and St. Michael too. Your photo reminds me my trip to Kiev - the most funny trip I ever had. I was a paid (yes, I have a license as a tour guide, but it was the only event) tour guide with a group of Jehovah witnesses. All was badly organized and I had a lot of fun. I took the group of 70 unknown persons to show them Kiev, but I was there for the first time myself. Of, course, it was illegal so they were just following me. But there was nothing in the schedule and I felt sorry they would sit in the hotel half a day (and me too :)). From this place we went to see Andreyevsky Spusk- maybe you went there too.

Warm regrads

MAlgo

agjika (3177) 2011-10-15 4:08

Hi Gert,
Very chic piazza. I looks like they have done a great job with that new monastery architecture.

Lovely light and sharpness. Lowering the camera a bit has paid off.

Regards

Aleks

TopGeo (38220) 2011-10-15 5:08

Hello Gert! Yes,, they is a picture that adds a lot of elements from the city Kiev Impressive all and the note and WSs! Supremacy are this work and your choice!congatulations
Best regards
Georgios

wolf38 (30) 2011-10-15 5:11

Hello Gerd. I see the photo - and it strikes me as very familiar. When others were in the same places, I see the photos very happy. Each photographer has his own vision. The workshop photos complement the main picture perfectly. Especially the view from the top is awesome. Well done. Rgds, Wolfgang.

saxo042 (38078) 2011-10-15 7:06

Hej Gert,
A well chosen POV where the lines along the paving lead straight up to the golden tower of the church. A very fine street scene view and also a very good documentary picture. Also very good WS:s but I agree, this main picture has a lot more content than the other pictures.
Hälsningar
Gunnar
PS Har du missat min senaste bild?

RhodieIke (11752) 2011-10-15 8:01

Hi Gert, Super photo of this daily life scene Kiev, fantastic Monastery, super colours,light and management, Cheers Iain.

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2011-10-15 10:38

namaste Gert,
another nice street shot with a superb architecture at background. Colourful street shot wish fine depth and perfect light. Excellent shot. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

paololg (31448) 2011-10-15 15:28

Pleasant image, dear Gert, evidently you're not the only one to choose this pleasant POV :-)
The photo has a good depth and great sharpness that allows us to see the details of this square and the beautiful church in the BG. Very beautiful and interesting also the WS. Excellent work, dear friend, congratulations!
Ciao, have a nice Sunday!
Paolo

patdeph (35750) 2011-10-16 3:45

hello Bernd
the square is very beautiful with the magnificent and impressive cathedral,but I think this is still more splendid on the WS.But anyway,this is a good view too.
Regards
Pascale

stevesaba (8167) 2011-10-16 7:23

Hi Gert!
A gorgeous, expansive view of downtown Kyiv! What a beautiful place. I particularly like the gold on the new Monastery! Well seen and well captured! And the workshops are gorgeous as well. Very fine, warm regards,
Steve

vasilpro (41801) 2011-10-16 8:37

Hello Gert,
Wonderful daily life composition, beautiful church in the BG with interesting architecture , excellent wide POV, very nice view to the big square, TFS!
Warm regards, Vasilis.

tyro (30513) 2011-10-16 13:55

Hello Gert,

This is a beautifully composed shot across this beautiful square. The lines on the ground draw the eye directly to the beautiful monastery which is placed perfectly in the frame. Lovely colours and a gorgeous sky.

Oh, what a pity it is that we cannot award points for your workshop pictures - they are wonderful, particularly the one taken from the belltower of the cathedral! The lighting and colours in that one are superb.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

Budapestman (82620) 2011-10-17 0:58

Hi Gert,
a beautiful photo of this imposing view with a sad moment in the foreground, the architectural details are fantastic, superb colours and lights, excellent POV, TFS! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kívánok!
György

Disabled_A (0) 2011-10-17 2:56

Hej Gert,

though the composition seems a little bit strange to me (personally, I'd add something or someone else on the right to finalize and balance the scene better), but I know that sometimes we can't choose and have to 'obey' the situaion/circumstances!

In any case, a very well captured view, and the wide perspective shows a lot of various details "in one go" :)
Also (of course, depending on the situation) I'd take a closeup shot of these two standing on the right. But that can be done best with a long zoom lens, of course..

Concerning the WS photos, I think this one (St. Sophia's Cathedral of Kyiv) is a great shot! Impressive perpective... makes me a little dizzy :)

warm regards,
Elena

jhm (211734) 2011-10-17 4:40

Hello Gert,

Again a very good sight on the St. Michael's Gold-Domed Monastery a nice part of the city.
You did excellent addition the people for the scale
Sharpness and clarity are perfect.
Nice composition and good presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Kielia (24077) 2011-10-17 7:37

Dear Gert,
you are adding a very interesting POV to the gallery thus giving the viewer an excellent idea of the magnificent square. The light is very nicely illuminating the cathedral. You were really very lucky with this beautiful sky! My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

abmdsudi (95869) 2011-10-17 20:37

Hi Gert
This is lovely city square, the famous sight. Excellenct pov and great dof how you include the important main subject to attract the eyes, with the glossy golden domes well defined. But the surrounding offers equally impressive subject, lots greenery and so lively with impressive compo with the two guys just at the right spot as effective anchor.
A captivating scene that brings all its charm to life and great control of highlights and shadows and wonderful colors. I particularly love to see the striking golden domes' obvious fascination really draws my eye. A delightful scene well taken and thks to the additional images especially #2 St. Sophia's Cathedral, love the green and golden domes combination, they are awesome. Brilliant shot, TFS
Best regards

Angshu (56760) 2011-10-18 3:03

Hello Gert!
The tiled square leads us right towards the St. Michael's, an unique landmark of Kyiv. Thanks for the WSs providing the closer views of the monuments. Especially like the St. Sophia's Cathedral which we don't see in the main post. The guy on the left seems to be begging. Good light & fine clarity in this well done picture!
Best Regards
Angshu

kordinator (8738) 2011-12-06 1:33

Hello Gert
This is amazing photos.
Composition rich of lovely details.
Great depth of field.
Wonderful monastery and cathedral in the background under amazing sky.
Nice atmosphere on squiare on the street in the middleground.
Fantastic colorful work from Kiev.
Best regards
Sapša

ourania (51103) 2013-05-02 10:05

Hello Gert,
a very comprehensive and interesting view into the architectural character and daily life of the city. Your composition includes and effectively describes several eloquent features, like elaborate architecture, wide streets and pavements intense chromatic contrasts. The grandiose setting hosts a daily life that's simple and frugal. Depth is very effective; clarity, lighting and colour definition are excellent. The workshop pictures are great too; the buildings look amazing from your perspective and in the strong clear light that enhances their vivid colours. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely evening,
Ourania

PaulVDV (62810) 2017-11-14 22:19

Hello Gert,
Sofiyska Square offers many great photo opportunities.
I suppose you had to take this picture very quickly.
If we could see a little more of what is a bit more on the left you could crop a part of the right side.
I don't have special memories of a hotel outside this view but the many buildings on the left are very beautiful.
So are the clouds in the sky on this picture and the people are nicely spread over the square.
Best regards, Paul

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-10-14 13:03

Gert, that square offers a stunning view of the monastery and its golden domes. A remarkable orthodox style architecture. I see a memorial, a disabled person on the left with a friend. There is a tree filled park on the right. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.