In the heart of Holland Photo

Photographers Note

One of the Dutch paradoxes is that although The Hague, whose official name is 's-Gravenhage (meaning "the count's hedge" in the old Dutch and generally shortened to Den Haag) is home to the Dutch government, parliament, ministries, embassies and consulates, and (last but not least) the Queen, it is only the provincial capital, the capital of the country being Amsterdam which lacks any government offices. Until recently, Den Haag didn't even possess city rights, for the lack of a defense wall. All this doesn't prevent the city from looking like a real capital and quite unlike the rest of Dutch cities and towns. Wide alleys, stately mansions and palaces, and a lot of parks give the city this unique charme.

Here we are in the very heart of Den Haag. On the left we see the Mauritshuis museum, to me - the best art gallery in the country. Previously the residence of count John Maurice of Nassau, it now has a large art collection, including paintings by famous Dutch painters such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter and Frans Hals and works of the German painter Hans Holbein the Younger. To the right of the museum is the octagonal tower, which is part of the large Binnenhof complex, where the Dutch Parliament is located since 1446 and which has been the centre of Dutch politics for centuries. This tower, known popularly as Het Torentje ("the small tower") is since 1982 housing the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

Both buildings are reflected in the Hofvijver ("the court pond"), an artificial lake in the middle of the city. Storks have nested here for many years, and the stork appears in the city's coat of arms.

No tripod used, I've put the camera on the embankment railing and held my breath...

Nice weekend to all the TE members!

efigesta, papagolf21, marianita, kermit350, danyy, syd1946, guillaumejm, linask, s_a_s_h_a, john_c oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

Ania_Wawa (136) 2006-09-01 5:08

It`s perfect! I really like it.

efigesta (12181) 2006-09-01 5:11

Hi ALexander

great nice shot, so clear with a nice colors and an excelent pov
regards
manuel

Hanssie (9133) 2006-09-01 5:14

So clear, such a good light giving warm colours, also the reflections are in very nice shapes, a great shot, Alexander !

ben4321 (9807) 2006-09-01 5:18

Great colours here Alexander, and the combination of artificial lighting and the dark blue evening sky works well, as it always does.
In terms of the composition, I would have liked it if you had included the top of the building in the reflection as well. As the reflection is such a dominant element in the composition, I think including all of it would have made for a more balanced image.
Otherwise, excellent work.
Ben

InasiaJones (20695) 2006-09-01 5:20

Hi Alexander,

Gorgeous and awesome setting, beautifully photgraphed at the perfect time of the day, to catch both the artificial and natural light. Surprisingly sharp for a Ťnon-tripodť picture! The architectural details are very nice and the reflection doubles the beauty of it. Excellent point of view and fabulous colours.

Well done!

André

hay_kes (28562) 2006-09-01 5:31

Hi Alexander,
Superb picture.Great reflection.Very good sharp, details, colours and compo.Well done.
Regards.

hAyAti

papagolf21 (56697) 2006-09-01 6:05

Bonjour Alexander,
Voilŕ une photo trčs réussie ŕ tous les niveaux :
Intéręt du paysage ;
Qualité générale de la photo ;
Couleurs superbes ;
Heure bleue ;
Un mot : superbe.
Merci, Alexander, pour la note trčs détaillée et passionnante.
Amitiés.
Philippe

stefanocer (10410) 2006-09-01 6:09

Great night shot , Compliments , composition colours and sharpness are very nice .
I also make night shots if you want take a look .
Stefano.

marianita (3356) 2006-09-01 6:39

Alexander
great shot at a perfect times
nice reflections
excellent work! den haag is beautiful
marianna

jinju (14265) 2006-09-01 6:56

Hey Alexandre,

very nice architectural photography. You took advantage of the great light, the artificial light and the water to give us this beautiful view.

barrufeto_77 (25931) 2006-09-01 6:56

Hi Alexander.

Excellent colours & reflections.

My compliments!

Rgs, Oscar

kermit350 (8988) 2006-09-01 7:52

Hello Alexander, Superb colors, you succeeded in obtaining a pleasant balance between the sky and the illuminated, beautiful buildings technical success, placid water and calms it places still add to the plenitude of this landscape, sincerely

danyy (69377) 2006-09-01 9:16

Belles lumičres Alexander,
l'heure bleue dans toute sa splendeur, avec ce contraste fait de couleurs chaudes jaunes oranges des facades éclairées par les éclairages publics.
Parfaitement cadrée entre réalité et reflet, une totale maitrise des lumičres faibles nocturnes pour une exposition au point.
Bien ŕ toi .
Daniel.

gilou530 (35632) 2006-09-01 11:50

salut alex
trés belle couleur dorée et reflet avec une trés bonne netteté, l'heure bleu donne un cachet supplémentaire, bravo
amitiés
gilbert

syd1946 (17957) 2006-09-01 13:02

Hi Alexander,
Ohh this really looks fantastic.Except the quilaty there is a great mood here!The refeflections gives an oil painting "look" to your image.Of course the handle of night light is perfect.Very impresive!
Respect!
Thomas

guillaumejm (30) 2006-09-01 15:58

Hello alexander,
What a wonderfull picture. Great sharpness, light and depth of field.
Very well done.
Best regards
JMarc

s_a_s_h_a (607) 2006-09-03 4:47

Hi Sasha,
This is another amazing night shot.

Good job
Alex

john_c (24635) 2006-09-03 12:38

Hi Alexander,
Well composed with superb lighting and reflections. The blue hour really came through for you here. The splendid architectural features are well seen and appreciated. A fine note about the anomaly of the capital. We were always taught in school that The Hague was the capital and I am glad you set things right...Well captured. This is first rate work.
John

plimrn (19694) 2006-09-23 16:59

Hi Alexander,
And this would be my favorite of yours :-), Blue hour at Binnenhof is a close second for the wonderful framing but I like the color and detail better here.
Regards, Pat

Photo Information

Copyright: Alexander Pasternak (pasternak) (13588)
Genre: Miejsca
Medium: Kolorowe
Date Taken: 2006-08-30
Categories: Architektura
Camera: Canon PowerShot A95
Naświetlenie: f/2.8, 1/2 sekund
More Photo Info: view
Wersja zdjęcia: Oryginalna wersja
Temat(y): Architectural reflections in water, My reflections [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-09-01 5:05