Venue: A friend’s top floor apartment, central Sofia
Camera & Lens: Nikon D750, Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 – here at aperture f/7.1 and shutter speed 1/200s, ISO 100
Music: Tangra – Fortune / Тангра – Богатство (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRe_NNFOAas)
This weekend I will slightly bend the “single photo” idea of the category, by presenting you with two different photos of a “single thing”, only changing the focus from the dusty glass of the window to the roofs beyond. I myself have a problem choosing which one I like more and which one tells which story, so I thought it’s fair to let you decide. The photos are taken in the centre of Sofia, in an old building from the beginning of the 20th century, in the top floor apartment of a friend who needed someone to water his plants while having fun at the beach. So I took the opportunity to make some photos through the window, as the place (and the window itself) really looks like it’s been preserved exactly the same in the last hundred years, and what is even more amazing, the view to the nearby houses also looks like it hasn’t changed much. The only noticeable “modern” thing that came into live in 1953 are the four big floodlights of the national stadium “Vasil Levski” that you can probably see better on the lower photo. The people that know where the stadium is will realize you’re looking at the very centre of Sofia, which has gone through huge changes in the last century and that’s why I was quite amazed to realize this particular angle of view to the city has been preserved through time. So for me both photos bring a sense of timelessness and longing for some older times, just like the song I chose to go along with them.
So now I leave it to you, please let me know with your comments which one you like more?
Sorry but to me they both tell a story
And I love how they are speaking to me
Especially how one is clear
And the other blurred
It’s early morning here
And that’s how I’m feeling
Sheldon
LikeLiked by 8 people
Thanks for the poetry Sheldon 🙂
I waited some time before commenting back just so that I hear from enough people, and seems like the ratio is around 3:1 in favor of the 1st one
LikeLiked by 1 person
Personally, I prefer to view the buildings clearly (bottom) rather than see
the somewhat dirty glass and miss this peaceful picturesque town
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks for the comment Eddie, I think the first one gets more votes though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the first photo best 🙂 It just emphasises the age to me.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I like the first one because it leaves a little room for imagination. 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
My exact thoughts! A little room for imagination.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, seems like the first one wins the popular vote 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the second one. The first one makes me feel like I need to put my glasses on, but the second one gives the view a chance to appreciate all the shapes of the roofs and windows. I wonder if the people who live in Sofia have finally accepted the tall light poles which must light the town at night to a degree that may not be appreciated by the local people.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks Ginene, actually the lights are on only during football games, so it happens once a week at most, not so bad 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
a sweet focus
between
the two 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
I like the first. The second was a nice picture … but the first entices the imagination into a story.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today… 🙂 I’ve been toying with the idea of getting back into photography – I bought my husband a nice camera, thinking he would enjoy reawakening his own talents, and he says he is “too busy”. So maybe it will turn out that I bought it for me… 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks for the vote, the first one wins I think 🙂 And have fun taking photos yourself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sense of mystery, the passing of time……and sharp images are overrated……..all the camera club judges I’ve ever come across seem to have this fixation about sharp images, and they seem to lack sensitivity to atmosphere and the narrative possibilities of blurred….. I rest my case!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks a lot for the opinion, I think I completely agree
LikeLike
It’s tough. I think I like the second one best.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’d like to see them both, side by side 🙂 Either, however, is lovely, each a different mood.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks a lot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did you try perhaps a sepia filter on the top one?
LikeLiked by 2 people
No, I’m not so good with photoshop and filters…changed a bit the contrast only 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whatever you did then, they came out well 🙂
LikeLike
I think it’s so interesting that about half the commenters like the first and half the commenters like the second. That’s part of the fun and mystery of art. I like the first best, the contrast of the “real”, dusty, dark window set against the “dreamy” beautiful, light world beyond.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks for the comment, I think most people share your point of view
LikeLiked by 1 person
I prefer the first one, it leaves something to the imagination.
LikeLiked by 4 people
For me, it’s the first one, I like the textured feel of it.
LikeLiked by 4 people
The second photo certainly gives a lovely clear view and is great if that’s what you wanted to see. As a writer, the second one does so much more to spark my imagination – the story of whoever lives in a place with such a dirty window, for example. Both are great photos, but I like the air of mystery the first one holds.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks for the vote, I think most people agree with you, me included
LikeLike
The first one made me want to go clean my contact lenses … 😉 Seriously!
LikeLiked by 3 people
The 1st.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wow your photographs!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the first picture. But both are beautiful 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks a lot! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Loved it
LikeLiked by 3 people
The first one is our favourite.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for the vote, seems that the first wins indeed 🙂
LikeLike
Nice one!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Kally!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure it’s ‘either or’. I like them both for different reasons. Photo 2 allows you to look more clearly at what is. Photo 1 has an air of mystery, open to suggestion – it allows you to see what might be.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Cynthia, of course there’s no real “either or”, was just wondering about people’s opinion, and seems that the first photo wins overall 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the first one, I am fascinated by the window and why the owner has kept it that way rather than clearing his view of the surrounding area.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Remember both photos picture the same window, only the focus is changed…so you can actually see quite clearly outside as shown on the second photo, the blurriness is only an illusion the camera gives when focusing on the window and defocusing the background 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I much prefer the mystery and imperfectness of the first one. 🙂 Also I’m loving your music links to go along with these. I haven’t seen a photographer do that before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
First one for me. I like interesting perspectives and textures (like the badly painted window), and i also like some things being in sharp focus compared to others. The backdrop of the town is sufficiently definable to remain interesting and looks a bit like an old faded postcard – another interesting “texture” if you like. Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there, thanks for stopping by and liking my post. Your pictures are amazing! I enjoy browsing your blog. Keep up the good work 🙂
LikeLike
You have a great sense of imagination.👍👍👍
LikeLike
Nice, classic framing techque used with great effect
LikeLike
Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
LikeLike
Definitely the first one! They are both great shots though. I like the music suggestion as well. Thats definitely what I pictured in my head for music. Awesome job. Love a macro lens
LikeLike