the meaning of place, a photo from Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Photographer's Note

What attracts you to a particular place? Sometimes it is obvious: you want to visit a particular landmark, a grand museum or a well known sight. But sometimes it is more difficult to say just exactly what draws you there.

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TRIESTE is one of those places for me. I had been wanting to see for as long as I remember, even before I knew just exactly what there was to see (if anything), but it's difficult to say why.

Trieste is an atmosphere, a vague longing.

Maybe it's because of its history of shifting borders, changing countries and uncertain allegiances. Trieste feels like history without a country.

Maybe that's why some of my favourite writers have also felt drawn to it. Trieste is the city of James Joyce, an Irishman in self-imposed exile, and of Aron Ettore Schmitz, the Italo-Jewish writer known as Italo Svevo. Then there is Claudio Magris, delving into the city's history and enjoying the city's sometimes Vienna-like caf� culture.

The Welsh historian and author Jan Morris published a wonderful little book about the city called "Trieste, or the meaning of nowhere". Yes, you should read it.

And there is Miramare, the sad castle of the doomed royals Maximilian and Carlotta. The former famously executed when king in Mexico, the latter, a Belgian princes, losing her mind and spending the long remainder of her life in sad seclusion back in her home country.

But maybe it's the location on the map, Trieste at the tip of that long deep gulf that is the Adriatic sea.

Or maybe it's the name of the place that draws me (me being a language person). Trieste means "sad one" in Dutch, and well...sad songs are often the most beautiful, aren't they?

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THIS PICTURE shows the Chisa Parrocchiale S. Antonio Taumaturgo, the neo-classical church located near the top of the iconic Gran Canal de Trieste.

holmertz, jean113, PaulVDV, jhm, Royaldevon, COSTANTINO, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (103540) 2022-02-09 7:09

Hello Benny,
Interesting buildings but primarily a case of refined light and a strong 3D effect. The three silhouettes are superb eye catchers.
Regards,
Gert

kasianowak (17676) 2022-02-09 7:34

Hi Benny
Bathed in the wonderful summer sunshine Trieste doesn't look sad. And yet, there must be something in the name! I love the play of light and shadow here and the three silhouettes are the icing on the cake.
Best wishes
Kasia

jean113 (28249) 2022-02-09 8:51

Hello Benny, very interesting notes that got me thinking.

The strong contrast between light and shade really makes this shot stand out. A beautiful classical building, that I would not have recognised as a church if you hadn抰 said.
Excellent depth of field. The oranges and yellows of the other buildings looking beautiful.
As others have stated, it is the three silhouetted figures that really completes the picture.
Kind regards, Jean.

PaulVDV (63440) 2022-02-09 9:32

Hallo Benny,
In 1977 reisde ik van Veneti� via Tri雜te naar het voormalige Joegoslavi�.
Deze imposante gevel van de Sant'Antonio Nuovo Kerk herinner ik me nog goed en ik heb nog betere herinneringen aan het prachtig gelegen kasteel van Miramare waar ik dichtbij logeerde (in een jeugdherberg weliswaar).
De staalblauwe lucht zorgt hier voor een uitstekende achtergrond die sterk contrasteert met het gele gebouw achteraan rechts en met de roze gevel aan de linkerzijde.
De voorgrond heb je heel donker gelaten. Goed zodat de personen als silhouetten getoond worden.
Vele groeten, Paul

lousat (139914) 2022-02-09 11:46

Hi Benny, i never been in Trieste, so your note are very useful....and the pic too is perfect and very nice, showing not the usual view of great square or sea views, a perfect front view of this church in the best light too. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

GyurMaster (25000) 2022-02-09 12:32

Hello Benny,

Now that is what I call a good play with lights and shadows, while the colours are also well-preserved! Of course the silhouettes are the main actors here. I like the figure seems to quit the place.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

ifege (49297) 2022-02-09 22:37

Hi Benny
A good photo of this grand building that could easily have been in Slovenia. Excellent detail and colour.
cheers
Ian

abmdsudi (95869) 2022-02-10 4:14

Hi Benny
An interesting architecture looks a very regal and ornate facade... So easy on the eye...The colours are delicious and indeed standout against polarised blue sky. As always the silhouetted figs are vital elements well included in this shot. Congrats
Best regards

jhm (211738) 2022-02-10 7:32

Dag Benny,

Mooi met de drie dominante kleuren, en goed contrast door de schaduwen.
Maar de voorgevel met kolommen is heel mooi gefotografeerd
Ook de gebouwen op de zijkant zijn een perfecte toevoeging.
Mooie architecture foto, bedankt.

Groeten uit Oost-Vlaanderen,
John

emka (158680) 2022-02-10 15:58

hello Benny, I was twice in Trieste and Miramare and always loved it. It is not the typical Italian city. Excellent view of the facade of the church in full light.The roof is flat. Great contrast of the white walls with the blue sky.

Best regards Malgo

Royaldevon (86364) 2022-02-11 9:23

Hello Benny,

Trieste sounds to be an interesting place, though I have never been there. Is it an allegory for you, a hidden meaning!
From this view, the building looks strong, almost commanding as the statues act like sentinels! Though the silhouetted figures are just wandering, not standing back in awe!

It's a fine, sharp photograph, the light well controlled under a harsh light.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

COSTANTINO (117672) 2022-02-11 22:06

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
and a happy week end
original version
fine presentation
of this ancient
building with the repeated
columns...the thee human figures
add life to the whole scenery
regards
Costantino

mkamionka (75015) 2022-02-13 0:38

Hi Benny,
Beautiful presentation of this probably the most iconic spot in Trieste. Never been there but I considered it several times while planning trip to the north of CRoatia and Slovenia. I just remember that when looking for sights to photograph there I was not able to find anything else than this spot. But I am glad you enjoyed that maybe I had a bad impression by just browsing photos in the internet.
You had a lovely weather with fantastic resulting colors. Silhouettes of people add a nice touch.
Excellent work,
M

everlasting (19978) 2022-02-13 5:39

mooi lichtval en een prachtig strak helder lucht als achtergrond van deze fijne stadsbeeld

adramad (73410) 2022-02-18 7:41

Hi Benny.
A magnificent note that accompanies this beautiful photograph, with the splendid building of classicist lines, the intense blue of the sky makes it stand out as in 3D.
A magnificent color and optimal lighting and sharpness.
A good job. That we enjoy
Good weekend. Greetings.
Luis