Well dressed young men, a photo from Uppland, Svealand

Photographer's Note

Walking through Stockholm's Old Town, Gamla stan, a few days ago I met these well dressed young men obviously belonging to the Royal Guards. They are normally only seen on the Palace grounds about 150 meters from here, up the street on the right side. Seeing two of them roaming the streets is less common. I followed them up the street and made sure they went straight back to the Royal Palace.

In this photo they were coming down Västerlĺnggatan (Western Long Street), which is the most popular street of Gamla stan for tourists. It stretches across most of the district and is filled with souvenir shops and places for junk food. In normal times it's usually crowded with tourists. I don't like it at all. It's not even a very pretty street.

There is another street, Österlĺnggatan (yes, Eastern Long Street) running roughly parallel, where the buildings are nicer, the restaurants better and there are art galleries instead of souvenir shops. Of course very few tourists go there.

Is this the curse of social media and guide books? Follow the influencers.

Click at Map: view to see where this was taken.

Fis2, ktanska, ikeharel, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, jean113, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, Energysavingelk, PaulVDV, worldcitizen, mcmtanyel, aliabazari oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

Fis2 (170839) 2021-06-04 0:29

Witaj Gert!
Today you overtook me :)
Excellent scene from street.
Men, belonging to the Royal Guard makes impression.
I like this scene from daily life.
Have a nice day.
Krzysztof

pajaran (115963) 2021-06-04 0:37

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan tekst ...
Lep deo starog grada i arhitektura, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama i kontrastom.
lepe uniforme gardista i fotografija, dobro uhvacen trenutak.

Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja

ChrisJ (171878) 2021-06-04 1:15

Hej Gert

I wasn't even aware that Sweden still had a royal family. They must be very discreet and circumspect, as there are never any scandals circulating in the international press, unlike the Royal family in the UK. If there are, they are kept low key and don't attract much attention at all. The style of helmet reminds me of German soldiers from WWI. Good to catch them before they entered the shadow area at right. Tfs!

ktanska (44790) 2021-06-04 1:26

Hej Gert,
This is indeed much more interesting view of the guards than more likely one where they would keep watch stiff like statues. Old town windows look nice of course. I don't know why those striped bands are there.
About the two lĺnggatans I don't think you need to blame social media. If you enter Gamla Stan through metro station or Vasabron, two most likely routes at least for tourists, you are bound to find Västerlĺnggatan first.
Kari

GyurMaster (24838) 2021-06-04 1:35

Dear Gert,

And some old man used to complain that these kids nowadays don't know how to dress properly! :)

Joking apart, its a nice nothing special scene.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

ikeharel (113411) 2021-06-04 2:55

Even guards go shopping every once in a while...
A nice random scene capture in Gamlastan old town.
On the Google-Map virtual tour, Västerlĺnggatan looks crowded with tourists - probably photographed years before the corona days.
Good afternoon,
Ike

Silvio1953 (221695) 2021-06-04 3:42

Ciao Gert, lovely composition with elegant walking couple, wonderful colors, excellent clarity, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-06-04 4:53

Hello Gert,

Well, this does seem unusual!
I cannot imagine that the Royal Guards were shopping for souvenirs, though one is carrying a bag so maybe looking to buy something! Or, of course, he could be delivering something ... by royal decree!

I am curious about the red striped tape across the window of the f/g shop, the subsequent shop has one too!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)
It's a very well composed show, nicely angled and with the Royal Guards strongly positioned.

pierrefonds (114516) 2021-06-04 5:02

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the movement of the Royal Guards. The point of view is showing the details of the facade of the buildings. The light is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jean113 (27893) 2021-06-04 9:11

Hello Gert, the Royal Guards are very smart and make an excellent focal point for your picture.
Excellent sharp quality.
I like that you followed them to discover where they were going.
Both shops appear to be souvenir shops.
Thanks for the informative note.
Kind regards, Jean.

Tue (92442) 2021-06-04 10:10

Hej Gert,
Jeg kan godt huske de kongelige vagter ved slottet og jeg har ogsĺ et billede med en af dem her pĺ siden, men hans třj var lidt lysere blĺ. Jeg genkender i hvert fald ogsĺ hjelmene. Du fangede dem meget godt i det klare lys og foran butikkerne.
Lars

jhm (211736) 2021-06-04 10:14

Hello Gert,

You con not better place find for this portrait of the two men.
Only not stap in the perfect formation, left, left, for everyone, the old militair term, outside service hours should also be tailor-made
Splendid picture with nice sharp and pleasant colours.
Very done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

lousat (139308) 2021-06-04 13:15

Hi Gert,the photo is a nice opportunity to talk about the streets for tourists, often full of traps and with high prices, while not far away there are other streets with better quality and more affordable prices, but which the guides ignore. Unfortunately it is so everywhere, so it is always useful to be able to ride with someone from the place ... when I come to Stockholm you will guide me, but I don't know when ... ahaha ... back to the photo, excellent capture of the couple of guards with perfect timing and quality. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

jmdias (115230) 2021-06-04 16:19

gert

curious the name of the shop, curious the plastic ribbon prohibiting people to watch the goods in the display, curious these guy and the old military uniform. excellent flagrant in this area.
here another week of chaos with lockdowns, revolts and death people.. a vendor who sold me products to the shop died yesterday.
take care
jorge

ifege (48135) 2021-06-04 19:24

Hi Gert
I did walk along the interesting less touristy Österlĺnggatan.
As you say, unusual catching such outfits on the street so a good well timed street photo.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116560) 2021-06-04 22:13

hello dear Gert and have a pleasant
week end
I like your photowith these
well dressed young men
belonging to the Royal
Guards
excellent capture with interesting
details which are very well composed
regards
costantino

jemaflor (147204) 2021-06-04 23:17

Hi Gert,
Well framed and composed this photo with people and shop, good light, interesting note, tfs.

kasianowak (17676) 2021-06-06 5:46

It's a feature of the Instagram generation to desire the same kind of photos as the ones that have already been posted online. A bit silly.
At least there are not many tourists now (apart from a crazy Polish woman occasionally living in a rental car) but it's said to see the shops closed and taped off.
Good to see you made the most of this rare opportunity to capture the guards away from their normal environment. I like the light and the colour palette of the image and also your perfect timing to capture the movement while "freezing" it at the same time.
Have a nice Sunday afternoon.
Kasia

Energysavingelk (7834) 2021-06-06 7:45

Hej Gert!

When did you take that? 1921?

Mange hilsner, og har det godt!
Sven

PaulVDV (62970) 2021-06-07 1:01

Hello Gert,
The kind of helmet that also makes people shudder in my country because of a wrong connection.
I think I also took a picture of such guys, but they were probably somewhere around the Royal Palace.
The local Indian has specialized in gifts and crafts rather than a restaurant.
Best regards, Paul

worldcitizen (16086) 2021-06-09 17:08

Hello Gert,
Nice find on this usually touristy street. The guards look smart in their uniforms. I also wondered about the tape across the windows, but your replies to others answered my question.

mcmtanyel (68593) 2021-06-09 20:48

Hello Gert,
"Well dressed" is one way of putting it. Nice daily life shot.
Regards,
MT

aliabazari (22255) 2022-02-21 8:17

Hello Gert
Beautiful view of this street and young officers. Clarity and exposure are well done. My son is twenty years old and has been studying at an officer's university for a year. Thanks for sharing