Mirrored Lines

The Assignment

2008-03-22T16:17:00.001+01:00

Here is chance for European photographers to flex their creative muscles. The Assignment is an exciting competition from Canon that gives you chance to win some Canon EOS equipment, worth about 2.000EUR, and photo shoot with a top pro photographer.

There are four different categories – landscape, portrait, sport and macro. You can submit your entry (photo) into one of them.

The top two category winners will travel to Vienna on a Euro 2008 football match. The final four overall category winners will be sent on an assignment with a professional photographer.

For more information, just click the link.

Good luck!

1408

2008-01-20T16:03:00.000+01:00

Few days ago I saw the movie 1408, directed by Mikael Håfström. I must say, I wasn’t impressed. It didn’t work out for me but let’s start from the beginning.

1408 is the story about Mike Enslin (played by John Cusack) - man specialized in debunking paranormal occurrences. Basically, he is going from one to another so called haunted place and writes books about it afterwards. He never saw any ghost until he ended up in the room 1408 of the New York’s Dolphin hotel. We will also get to know that he got separated from his wife after the loss of their daughter due to cancer, and that he seemingly had a problematic relationship with his father. I’ll say this could be a good base for a horror story. From now on, you may choose to continue or to stop reading because some major spoilers are coming your way.

Room 1408 was promising for all horror lovers. First, the room was unavailable by default. The Dolphin hotel refused renting it. Mike Enslin had to search for legal means and advice in order to enter it. Second, there was hotel manager, mister Olin (played by Samuel L. Jackson) – a man determined to change Enslin’s decision and stop him from entering the room. Olin’s speech and a book of records of unfortunate events that occurred in the room 1408, filled with gore pictures and scary stories, were more than promising. It gets even better after Olin’s statement that no one survived in that room for more than one hour! One hour only. I had to prepare myself for the possible upcoming gore and horror events. But they won’t happen. That is, to say, nice contrast. You expect one thing but you get another one. All would be fine if it would make any sense.

So, yes, it wasn’t scary at all but that’s alright. Let’s see what we got. We got the absolute mix of several clichés, known to all that enjoy and watch the horror genre, myself included. The main problem is that this mix is very far from any good synthesis and acceptable meaning.

Our expectations are high. Remember, no one survived in that room for more than an hour. There was 56 recorded death cases and some of them were horrifying. Enslin is entering in spite of everything we know. And what happened? We are seeing ghosts jumping from the room’s window, a bleeding wall, water running down from a painting, a sort of like a zombie in a ventilation shaft and so on. All that we saw before and none that is actually life threatening to our guy, although he does react like being in some sort of a grave danger. I won’t say all. It won’t be interesting for those that actually want to see this movie.

There were two scenes that I love a lot. First one is when Enslin is trying to get help and he is waving to a guy that sits in a room in a building across the hotel. Pretty soon Enslin is becoming aware that the guy makes the same body movements like himself. In fact, the guy was himself. That was creepy. It was well made. And it was nice because it tells us that in our fears we are facing only ourselves and only we can rescue ourselves.

The second scene I love is the arriving of Enslin’s dead daughter. Enslin is crying while holding her and she is dying in his hands. It was that simple and yet very effective. She didn’t turn into a monster or some other crap. She just silently died and he lost her again. I was truly shivering. It was powerful, at least for me, because it shows the real horror - the horror of life. At this point, I thought perhaps that was the director’s intension, meaning to put a horror into another and “more realistic” frame, to tell us that we don’t need monsters and that the life itself is full of horror stories, and our lives and our minds are more frightening than anything else we could possibly imagine. But these are just my thoughts…

Håfström (director) didn’t take any of available ways to present the story and he certainly had many. For example, it would be perfectly reasonable to assume that Enslin is obsessed with haunted places because of the loss of his daughter. Either he wants to find her or he simply needs to know if there is an afterlife at all. Promising paintings, ghosts, a zombie… So many possibilities! Unexplored! Their role and appearances turned insignificant. We will never get to know their stories. Yes, we can conclude that rooms are full of sufferings, not just Enslin’s but it could be our own, or anyone’s sufferings, and so on. The problem is that I will never know for sure am I just desperately trying to find the point and justify the story and choice of its execution because too many things appear to be meaningless or unnecessary, and detached one from another. The entire movie I had to struggle with it. All my tries have ended up nailed in one way or another. Possibilities will never merge for good, into something meaningful.

So, Enslin survived one hour and the clock is ticking again. However, he is given a chance to go out but he doesn’t want. Not just that he went that far stating that it won’t be on the room’s way, like there ever was a room’s way, but he is determined to burn the room and himself together, apparently unnecessary. 1408 had good base and good turns, but it ended up in a real mess. To sum up, every single possibility and motive is simply unexplored and undeveloped. Whatever the director’s intension, however I turn it, the truth is simple – it wasn’t powerful enough to shake my boxerZ.

Wishes

2007-12-30T14:41:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year everyone!

It's a bit early but I hope you won't mind because I won't be around in the next few days. I wish you all to be happy and healthy. And I promise a lot of photos and stories upon my return :)

Have fun!

25th

2007-12-25T10:59:00.000+01:00

Happy Holidays to everyone who celebrate it! <3

Here is a bit of seasonal magic for you.

You can see some of my last photos here.

I'll be away in the next two days. Have fun everyone! Talk to you soon! XOXO

Art?

2007-12-21T08:38:00.001+01:00

Please, check out the photos from the exhibition of the "artist" Guillermo Habacuc Vargas before you continue to read my post. There are very sad images of a starving dog.

Well, the dog died. If that is art, I refuse to be an artist. What was Vargas’ point, if he had any?

There will always be a group of a people to argue and justify this inhumane act. Some will say that the dog would die anyway. Some will say that the point of Vargas exhibition was to shock and create impact on a human’s mind. Vargas will say that that is art.

Are we that much cold and insensitive that we really need to see all of it in vivo in order to understand and to have appropriate reaction on this kind of things? Vargas couldn’t actually MAKE an artwork? Painting, photo, video or anything else? No matter reasoning, two facts remain. The "artist" didn’t even try to help to this dog and he just added on a poor dog’s sufferings by dragging him to this horrible exhibition.

Nothing, and I really mean nothing, should be above our humanity and compassion. If you can’t help to someone, then at least don’t make his/her sufferings even worse. Record it. Remember it. Find an appropriate way to tell your story without hurting innocent animals. We live in a time when that is possible.

All of this reminded me of Kevin Carter, a Pulitzer-winning South African photographer that committed suicide, hunted by the horrific images of starving people in Sudan, unable to distance himself from the things he witnessed and unable to help. He won’t be forgotten.

Now, to go back to my story, Vargas is about to represent his country at the Bienal Centroamericana Honduras 2008. Do not let him! Over 360.000 people have signed a petition. Please, help us out. Sign it.

Umzug

2007-12-02T18:54:00.000+01:00

Santa Claus is coming. Are you ready? :D

This beautiful holiday is a synthesis of pagan and christian elements. The custom goes back to the middle ages when bad spirits were driven away by noise created with cowbells and cows' horns. Today it's called Santa Claus Parade. December 5th is Klausjagen (Chasing of Claus).

The procession begins at 8:15pm and is most impressive. The sounds are made by groups of people ringing bells, blowing horns and cracking whips, and the lights come from folks wearing huge paper bishops hats, lit from within by candles. I wish I can show you all of it...

Ready to wave? Here he comes :)

By, by November

2007-11-30T22:31:00.000+01:00

I just need to say this loud, I absolutely can’t stand Novembers! The worst things throughout my life have happened exactly in Novembers. It’s needless to say that this year is no better. Will it ever skip me? I mean, I just can’t believe it sometimes. Ironically, my number is 11. Anyone has any idea how to prevent November? Winter sleep perhaps? LOL

Anyway, did anyone have any similar experience?

Aivazovsky

2007-11-23T00:52:00.000+01:00

I think most of you already know how much I love art in general. This post is actually my answer to a friend. And the question was: What is so special about Aivazovsky?

One of the most forged of all Russian painters is Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky and yet his name is quite unknown for many art lovers.

(the portrait of Aivazovsky by Aleksey Tyranov, 1847)

Aivazovsky was of Armenian descent, mostly known by his marvelous seascapes paintings. He has the ability to create interesting atmosphere and many admired his choice and use of colors.

Aivazovsky was obviously enchanted by the sky and sea. His paintings show a great span of a different appearances and sky changes, from pale and misty mornings through storms, clouds and red sunsets. His sea movements are brilliant.

Sky and sea - both endless, both are conveying the feeling of eternity and freedom. And there is always human presence, like small figures by seashores, or indirectly - ships and architecture that emerges from a mists and sunsets.

In essence, I can say that the entire emphasis of his work was actually on light and lighting aspects.

This indeed has connection with Aivazovsky’s character. He loved to travel! At the age of 25 he was already internationally famous painter. Beside, he lived by his ideals – love for a freedom and compassion for the oppressed and less fortunate. He was a great humanist and romantic. Therefore it’s not strange that most of his money went to charity purposes and openings of art school and gallery. His house became a place for artistic pilgrimage and inspiration.

I won’t go into his biographical details, as you might notice already. I’m just trying to answer to the above mentioned question. So, what is so special about Aivazovsky? The fact that one can admire not just his art but also his character and personal philosophy. And that is rare my friend. As the quote on Aivazovsky’s tombstone nicely says: Born a mortal, he left immortal memories.

Pictures are taken from Wikipedia and SightsWithin

This is for you Lorri :)

2007-11-19T22:41:00.000+01:00

Finally some pictures of snow as I’ve promised before. It’s not enough for our Snowman Project so I’ll have to wait a bit longer to start with it.

Bits of colors… Autumn is still struggling to survive.

This one is my favorite.

Snow!

2007-11-09T22:53:00.000+01:00

Out of the bosom of the Air,
Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,
Over the woodlands brown and bare
Over the harvest-fields forsaken,
Silent and soft and slow
Descends the snow.

That was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem. So yes, we had the first snow here in Zürich today! And the world looks beautiful again… But I didn’t take any pictures because it was too windy. Later my friends… How is the weather on your sides of the world?

Back!

2007-11-04T20:42:00.000+01:00

Once again I’ve been out and about and hardly at home in the past several days. Here are few shots from my trip :)

And your photographer :)

How is everyone? :)

Autumn Square Memories

2007-10-29T04:14:00.000+01:00

Worth to remember...

Mist...

Colors...

Rain...

Flood...

I hope you enjoyed :)

What’s new you ask?

2007-09-29T03:02:00.000+02:00

Here is an update for my friends, a bit more personal than usual. I know I should write more and send more e-mails but please, bear with me! I always reply but yes, lately it was more later than sooner. I have an excuse!

So, first to say that my back problem is almost gone. I feel much better. Lorri, thanks a lot for thinking of me always and for being there during my lonely and sleepless hours <3

For those that don’t know what I’m speaking about, I got an inflammation of a nerve in the area of the trapezius muscle about one week ago. I wish it was due to some kissing in wind and rain but unfortunately it wasn’t. Shortly, I should remind myself to close my bedroom window before going to sleep! I guess I keep it open in hope that someone will come, like in that De Jurk movie. Just kidding! Anyway, after one week of pain and struggle I am happy to report that I feel better (mom, I really do!). I surely hope I won’t experience this again. It was unforgettable. Or am I getting old and all of this is actually normal? 33 years is not much I’ll say.

So here I am, finally and unjustly captured, but worth to be recorded as I barely have any photos of myself, considering my early choice of being on another side of a camera.

No, I wasn’t sad. I was just pondering and observing space possibilities for a new photo shoot.

Ok, here is another one, but not much better! *laughing out loud*

I’m actually resting on a tomb of an orthodox priest after shooting some important architectural restoration.

I’m having my 4th international photography exhibition at this moment. Four exhibitions and two awards so far. Not bad my friends. I’m quite happy. I’m working on calendars for the upcoming year and I’m hoping to work more on different designs in a following period, more precisely CD covers. Matthew, do you read me? :D

Other than that, traveling, watching movies and reading. All is as usual. Trying to press my web developer to upgrade my website and make long awaited changes. That is usual as well! Heck I always forgive him for the sake of all other brilliant things and good times. Right now I enjoy in Rilke’s Ahead of All Parting. Movie post is soon to come.

So, how is everyone? I hope all is fine on your sides of the world. Drop some line or e-mail. In the meanwhile, for all movie lovers, check out Paul’s latest post.

Rapperswil and its Castle

2007-09-27T00:43:00.000+02:00

There are places able to grab and hold our heart for a while, or forever. When it comes to Switzerland, one of those places, at least for myself, is Rapperswil, also known as Rosenstadt (City of Roses) thanks to its three rose gardens that have about 15.000 plants of 600 different kinds of roses.

Rapperswil is located on the east shore of Lake Zurich and it belongs to the canton of St. Gallen. Legend says that Rapperswil was founded by Duke of Altendorf. According to the legend, the Duke crossed the lake with his dogs to hunt deer and he was accompanied by his wife. The Duchess took pity on the animals and pleaded her husband to call off the hunt. Then it is said that a doe has come and she placed her head in the Duchess lap as the sign of gratitude. The Duke was very moved by this scene. He took it as a sign from God and decided to build a castle on the very spot. Even today, the deer park stands within the castle ground as a reminder of this story.

In the meanwhile, the castle was turned into a Polish museum and holds the documents of the harmonious relationship and cooperation between Poland and Switzerland and their mutual beliefs, as it’s expressed on the Polish Column of Freedom in the front of the castle - MAGNA RES LIBERTAS (Freedom Above All).

Both the exterior and interior of the castle are well preserved. I had a chance to see the exhibition of baroque art, consisting mainly of Polish religious artworks, Polish nobility silk belts and earliest Meissen porcelain figures. There is also a room of Polish folklore, filled with beautiful costumes and peasant’s crafts.

One of the castle’s towers is turned into some sort of a symbolic martyr chapel, dedicated to Saint Maximillian Kolbe, also known as Apostle of Consecration to Mary. He was a Polish Franciscan friar who volunteered to die instead of another man in the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz. During the Second World War, Kolbe provided shelter for refugees, including Jews whom he hid from Nazis. He was arrested by the Gestapo, imprisoned and later transferred to Auschwitz. Few months later, a man from Kolbe's barrack vanished, prompting the camp commander to pick ten men to be starved to death in order to set an example and prevent further escape attempts. There Kolbe volunteered and offered his life for the life of another man, namely the life of Franciszek Gajowniczek who was a Polish army sergeant. Anyway, after three weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe and three others were still alive. Finally he was executed with an injection of carbolic acid (phenol). Gajowniczek was released from Auschwitz after spending five years, five months and nine days in the camp. He was still alive and present when Pope John Paul II canonized Kolbe on October 10th, 1982.

The mentioned chapel is very creepy as it should be, considering the story and symbolism that it represents. The space is small and gloomy. There is barely any light and that light reflects and makes red shades on the walls.

In another room is a collection of Polish art, more precisely paintings, prints and maps. There is also a room dedicated to the Polish fight for freedom and independence.

I love old architecture very much, castles especially. Therefore I entered every single room and I have found something interesting in almost every corner. I’ve also climbed to the top of the highest tower.

I strongly suggest visiting this castle if you happened to come to Rapperswil. The castle is open most of the time, except in the winter period. I was there on the very end of a summer, escaping mid season and crowd.

What I love about Rapperswil is the unique ability to experience another space and time so to say. The old part of the city looks almost untouched. If I was to see a 13th century lady gazing from a window or a knight on a horse I wouldn’t be surprised. That much this place is still authentic.

I’ve also visited one church.

And I had a long ride on the lake in a small wooden boat, accompanied by a pair of swans. They were so gracious and lovely.

My boat has taken me to an island, placed right across Rapperswil, and I enjoyed in the view while sitting in a small restaurant and drinking an apple juice.

The day was sunny and beautiful. My heart was filled with many impressions and emotions. I almost had feeling of being home. Right there I already knew that I will come back to that place again and again.

wallpaper

Letyat zhuravli

2007-09-05T20:02:00.000+02:00

Some weeks ago I saw the movie Letyat zhuravli (The Cranes Are Flying), directed by Mikheil Kalatozishvili. I was swept away! This old Russian movie has raised several questions in my head but more than anything I find myself wondering should one really keep paying for the rest of his/her days for the mistake (if it was a mistake) that was made at one point in one’s life. I guess many will say it depends on the mistake itself.

The mistake was infidelity. Although, I really can’t tell if it was infidelity or the girl was raped (as someone said), or perhaps it was a moment of weakness. But I can tell one thing, I was ready to forgive her just about anything, that great and honest was her suffering. She suffered so much that I could hardly bear it!

Letyat zhuravli is a war movie in the terms of time, space and circumstances but not really in the terms of the story itself. It is a bit hard to explain. The director put a great deal of different emotions and aspects while developing the story and characters. There are no epic scenes of the battles or Nazis marching through Russia. Quite contrary. The director decided to show us people and their stories, and some of the sufferings of the human souls are equal and same in the time of peace and in the time of war. That is exactly what makes this movie interesting and different. Also, the camera work is simply astonishing! I mean, I truly couldn’t believe my eyes considering the year in which this movie is made. Scenes, angles, light, all was absolutely amazing, a masterpiece of cinematography! I say you must see this movie. And you’ll need this as well.

I won’t say more about the story. It won’t be interesting if I reveal everything and there is definitely a lot to be seen.

This astonishing movie was released in 1957, and according to some reviews, the silence in the theater was profound. I wish I was there…

Interlaken

2007-08-05T23:53:00.000+02:00

So yes, I was on a trip and I actually didn’t plan to make blog entry about it, but this is per request, so to say.

This is for you Matthew :)

Recently I went to the area called Interlaken (Switzerland). Interlaken belongs to the canton Bern and the area is placed between the lakes Brienz and Thun.

I went there to visit several waterfalls and caves. My first impression is that I got lost in time and space, finding myself in some sort of a fairytale. I can hardly describe the beauty of the area. One must see all those waterfalls coming directly from the local glaciers and falling down from the top of the mountains. The view is simply breathtaking.

My first destination was the cave of Saint Beatus. I had to climb to reach the entry but the climbing was an experience for itself.

There are two stations and several bridges made out of wood. Those bridges are crossing over two waterfalls that come right from the entry of the Saint Beatus’ cave. Both stations are actually museums.

The first museum is mainly about the cave, archeological findings, prehistoric settlement and the team of the people who constantly works on new researches. Shelves are filled with photos and different crystals, rocks, stalactites, stalagmites and so on. There is also a little pond in the front of museum and fountain.

The second museum is dedicated to Saint Beatus, also known as the apostle of Switzerland. The story says that after being baptized in England by St. Barnabas and ordained by St. Peter, Beatus went to Switzerland where he spent his life in the cave, converting pagan inhabitants into Christianity. The cave became a popular pilgrim's destination, the famed site of Beatus' fight with a dragon, according to the legend, which I sincerely hope it’s just a tale as I don’t want to think about Saint Beatus as of one more person responsible for the demise of species. Oh well, that is yet another story.

Anyway, you can see wooden dwarfs around the museum and dragons inside of the museum. It was interesting and I’m glad I didn’t skip it while climbing to the cave.

The cave entry looks like a little castle, which you can see on the following photo.

I was sitting in the left tower by the window, eating pizza and enjoying the beautiful view of the lake Thun and distant glacier of the mountain Jungfrau.

Development started in 1903, and the caves were opened to the public one year later. In the caves, one can see (the already mentioned) prehistoric settlement, the cave of Saint Beatus and his tomb, halls, waterfalls, underground gorges, etc. Very popular is the so called Koh-I-Noor, a mighty stalactite, 40,000 years old. The part available for tourists is one kilometer long of the existing 16 kilometers, if I remember correctly… Photographing is forbidden because it holds back the group but you can find photos of the cave interior on this page.

Anyway, I bought a few postcards for my friends and I have continued my trip with a rose quartz in my pocket. My next destination was the Trümmelbach falls.

Now, Trümmelbach Falls are simply fascinating! There are actually 10 waterfalls, coming directly from the glacier, making their way through the mountain with a speed of 250km/h.

This place is unique. It is the only place in Europe where one can see glacier waterfalls inside of the mountain. They are so powerful. I was totally amazed. And apart of being amazed, I was also completely wet as I had to get close to the falls as much as possible.

The temperature of the water and inside of the caves is very low, only 2 Celsius degrees during summer. Not many tourists are there and people are staying only shortly inside of the caves due to the low temperature. I was dressed well for this occasion and therefore able to explore and fully enjoy in this absolutely breathtaking sight, watching the water coming from the glaciers, making its way through the mountain while carving stones, and eventually bursting out of the rock and speeding away into the valley. It was unforgettable.

Interlaken is well known place for all adventure lovers. Aside from the waterfalls and caves, this area is good for paragliding, skiing, climbing, golf, skydiving, etc.

I didn’t take part in any of the mentioned activities but I enjoyed watching others. I love to travel and I usually find some quiet spot for myself whenever I go. Right now I am completely content while spending my days on the local hills with cows.

And cows are an inseparable part of the Swiss panorama ;)

R.I.P. Antonioni

2007-07-31T14:12:00.000+02:00

„I feel like a father towards my old films. You bring children into the world, then they grow up and go off on their own. From time to time you get together, and it's always a pleasure to see them again.”

(Antonioni, 29 September 1912 – 30 July 2007)

Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni died peacefully yesterday evening in his home, surrounded with family members. He was 94 years old. Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni announced a public viewing of Antonioni's body tomorrow at City Hall.

I can hardly believe it... because lately I spoke a lot about him and Bergman and here they are, dancing together away. Both died on a same day. It is a bit hard for me to say anything at this moment. I am truly overwhelmed with emotions. This is just too much at once…

I remember seeing Antonioni’s movie called Blowup, made in 1966. I saw the mentioned movie much later, because I wasn’t even born when the movie was released. I can tell you one thing. The title was perfect because I was definitely blown up and I knew I had to see all of his movies right away! I remember staring in the screen long after the movie ended, and the more I thought about the movie, the more I find it to be absolutely unique and brilliant. You got me, Antonioni! You got me forever. The audience was silent. The first comment I heard was: “Did I miss something?” This will never change in the following years. Antonioni’s movies will always have that kind of impact on the audience as he was no ordinary storyteller and his subjects were simply different. Antonioni made great use of insinuation. He tantalized us with the possibility of what could have been. He believed that reality is unattainable as it is submerged by layers of images which are only versions/perceptions of reality. He said on one occasion: “Reality changes so rapidly that if one theme is not dealt with, another presents itself. Allowing one's attention to be attracted by each little thing has become a vice of the imagination. All one has to do is to keep one's eyes open: everything becomes full of meaning; everything cries out to be interpreted, reproduced. Thus, there is no one particular film that I would like to make; there is one for every single theme I perceive. And I am excited by these themes, day and night. However, opportunity and other practical considerations limit and direct the choice.”

I’m off to watch Al di la delle nuvole :)

R.I.P. Bergman

2007-07-30T18:48:00.000+02:00

"Film as dream, film as music. No art passes our conscience in the way film does, and goes directly to our feelings, deep down into the dark rooms of our souls."

(Bergman, 14 July 1918 – 30 July 2007)

Ingmar Bergman, the Swedish film director and one of the greatest masters of cinematography died in his home on the Baltic islet of Faro today. He was 89 years old.

Bergman’s grandmother introduced him to the cinema and went with him to several shows when he was a little boy, always in secrecy, since he wasn't allowed to go to the movies by his strict father who was a Lutheran pastor. On one occasion, Bergman said: "I hope I never get old so I get religious."

I have no wish to actually speak about his life and ghosts that tormented his soul from early childhood. You can read about his biography here. I would rather say that these ghosts have made a great impact on his cinematography, filling his movies with the questions and motives of mortality, sexual desire, loneliness and faith. Even he said that he was depressed by his own films and could not watch them anymore.

During his long career, Bergman remained devoted to the cinema and to the mysteries of the human spirit and soul. His early work was dark and brooding, his middle films intense and virtuous, and his last films intimate and self-revealing. He never lost his passion for drama and never got tired of his primary subject that was deeply human with all its faces, masks and aspects.

Bergman's family has not set a date for his funeral yet, but they have confirmed it will be attended by a close group of friends and family. I can not express my sadness due to this great loss… Bergman was one of my all time favorite directors, together with the long gone Andrei Tarkovsky and Federico Fellini. They won’t be forgotten.

Photo Workshops

2007-07-07T00:19:00.000+02:00

This summer Canon offers free photo workshops to visitors in Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks. All you need to do is show up at the right time in the right place.

In Grand Canyon National Park, the workshops will take place from 9 - 29th July. Then they will move to Yellowstone National Park, where the workshop will be open from 6 – 12th August. Each workshop will have three or four instructors, and on weekends these include members of Canon's prestigious Explorers of Light group. In addition to all tips and field advice, participants will get a chance to try out Canon DSLR cameras and an assortment of wide-angle, telephoto, and macro lenses. They can also get a free CD of their workshop image files and a selected print to take home or use it to enter in the Canon’s Parks Photo Contest.

For more details, check out Canon’s Digital Learning Center.

Free Bilal Hussein!

2007-07-04T17:31:00.000+02:00

It has been over one year since Associated Press photographer Bilal Hussein has been imprisoned by the United States military forces in Iraq. His camera and videotapes were seized. And despite his CBS press credentials, which were checked out and found to be legitimate, he was arrested by U.S. authorities and imprisoned. Much of his time over the course of the next year was spent in solitary confinement at the Abu Ghraib prison, where he was subjected to coercive interrogation and other indignities.

Bilal was part of an Associated Press team who won the Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for the coverage of the Iraq war. The US army major general Jack Gardner said that the information available establishes that Bilal has relationships with insurgents and is afforded access to insurgent activities outside the normal scope afforded to journalists conducting legitimate activities. Associated Press executives said that their review of Hussein's work did not find anything to indicate inappropriate contact with insurgents, and any evidence against him should be brought to the Iraqi criminal justice system. They also claim the military has not provided any concrete evidence to back up the vague allegations they have raised about Bilal.

No one has yet presented formal charges against Bilal who is behind bars for having the courage of photographing Iraqi insurgents. Bilal Hussein has been held in violation of Iraqi law and in disregard to the Geneva Conventions. His arrest and imprisonment are a serious affront to the press as a whole and to democratic traditions. Bilal’s colleagues from around the world are seriously concerned for his life in view of the amount of time he has been locked up and the prison conditions which he is being submitted to. For the reasons stated above, they demand his immediate release.

Please, sign the petition.

Free Bilal

Associated Press: The Detention of AP Photographer Bilal Hussein

Greetings from Switzerland!

2007-07-02T23:30:00.000+02:00

Hello guys! How is everyone?
Anyone missed me in the meanwhile? :D

Yes, here I am, in Zürich, trying to complete all paper work and to get my residence and working permit. Bureaucracy is driving me crazy but one can't avoid what must be done. I'm learning Swiss German, I'm also looking for a job and I'm having fun in my new surrounding. So many things at once! I will keep you updated as much as possible, considering that I don't have my PC with me and not much time on my hands at this moment.

I hope each one of you is fine.

Here is one wallpaper of the castle Chillon for you :)

You can read about the castle on their official website: Castle of Chillon

La terra trema: Episodio del mare

2007-05-29T03:56:00.000+02:00

La terra trema: Episodio del mare directed by Luchino Visconti is one of the movies that have managed to make me feel depressed for days.

The first interesting thing about this movie is its cast. Right on the beginning, the actors are listed as Sicilian Fishermen. And indeed, the entire cast was composed of non-professional actors - real people that are portraying their lives. The story is settled in the village Trezza and those people truly are genuine fishermen and inhabitants of Trezza. Now, this really gives authentic feeling and you are going to care (more than usual) about those people and happenings that will take place in their lives.

Visconti was forced to sell some of his mother's jewelry and one of the family's apartments in Rome to finish this film. He got only one award - Golden Lion, which is absolutely amazing for me, simply because I think this movie, made almost as a documentary, deserves much, much more!

La terra trema: Episodio del mare is a heart breaking study of the Sicilian fishermen family Valastro. They struggle to survive, while being heavily exploited by fish wholesalers. But wholesalers are not their only enemy. There is also an unpredictable and dangerous sea.

The family Valastro tries to overcome their poverty by buying their own boat and becoming their own boss. They are forced to take mortgage on the only possession they have – their family house.

Valastro’s decision is welcomed and supported by the other inhabitants of Trezza, the same inhabitants that won’t have any mercy and compassion later on, when faith turned down its favors to the Valastro family. Was it faith or greed that made them sink so deep? I think they simply didn’t have luck nor enough money to recover after the tragic lose of their boat and with the mortgage on their back.

At one point, Visconti clearly identifies the corrupt, exploitive wholesalers with the Mussolini’s regime. He also emphasis that we all must work together for the common good and only then everyone has a chance to succeed.

Yes, Visconti was Marxist, but I think he didn’t make this movie in order to judge or to make a political speech. Even if he did, you can dislike his political attitude and ideas but you simply can’t disregard the fact that this movie has a universal message and is telling the story that can take place anywhere and at any time in history, and that’s all that matters. And what a story!

Einstein’s Dreams

2007-05-24T07:10:00.000+02:00

Each time is true, but the truths are not the same.

Has anyone read Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman? It is one of my favorite books.

Lightman is known as the man that made fundamental contributions to the theory of astrophysical processes under extreme temperatures and densities. His research has focused on the relativistic gravitation theory, the structure and behavior of accretion disks, stellar dynamics and relativistic plasmas. In a way, his book Einstein’s Dreams brought science and literature together. The book contains 30 little fables about places where time behaves quite differently, but these are also the fables about the way we live. I liked Lightman’s style very much. I found this book to be very original and interesting. Once I started, I couldn’t stop reading it. I totally recommend it.

Excerpt

Suppose time is a circle, bending back on itself. The world repeats itself, precisely, endlessly.

For the most part, people do not know they will live their lives over. Traders do not know that they will make the same bargain again and again. Politicians do not know that they will shout from the same lectern an infinite number of times in the cycles of time. Parents treasure the first laugh from their child as if they will not hear it again. Lovers making love the first time undress shyly, show surprise at the supple thigh, the fragile nipple. How would they know that each secret glimpse, each touch, will be repeated again and again and again, exactly as before?

On Marktgasse, it is the same. How could the shopkeepers know that each handmade sweater, each embroidered handkerchief, each chocolate candy, each intricate compass and watch will return to their stalls? At dusk, the shopkeepers go home to their families or drink beer in the taverns, calling happily to friends down the vaulted alleys, caressing each moment as an emerald on temporary consignment. How could they know that nothing is temporary, that all will happen again? No more than an ant crawling round the rim of a crystal chandelier knows that it will return to where it began.

In the hospital on Gerberngasse, a woman says goodbye to her husband. He lies in bed and stares at her emptily. In the last two months, his cancer has spread from his throat to his liver, his pancreas, his brain. His two young children sit on one chair in the corner of the room, frightened to look at their father, his sunken cheeks, the withered skin of an old man. The wife comes to the bed and kisses her husband softly on the forehead, whispers goodbye, and quickly leaves with the children. She is certain that this was the last kiss. How could she know that time will begin again, that she will be born again, will study at the gymnasium again, will show her paintings at the gallery in Zürich, will again meet her husband in the small library in Fribourg, will again go sailing with him in Thun Lake on a warm day in July, will give birth again, that her husband will again work for eight years at the pharmaceutical and come home one evening with a lump in his throat, will again throw up and get weak and end up in this hospital, this room, this bed, this moment. How could she know?

In the world in which time is a circle, every handshake, every kiss, every birth, every word, will be repeated precisely. So too every moment that two friends stop becoming friends, every time that a family is broken because of money, every vicious remark in an argument between spouses, every opportunity denied because of a superior's jealousy, every promise not kept.

And just as all things will be repeated in the future, all things now happening happened a million times before. Some few people in every town, in their dreams, are vaguely aware that all has occurred in the past. These are the people with unhappy lives, and they sense that their misjudgments and wrong deeds and bad luck have all taken place in the previous loop of time. In the dead of night these cursed citizens wrestle with their bedsheets, unable to rest, stricken with the knowledge that they cannot change a single action, a single gesture. Their mistakes will be repeated precisely in this life as in the life before. And it is these double unfortunates who give the only sign that time is a circle. For in each town, late at night, the vacant streets and balconies fill up with their moans.

Banshun – Late Spring

2007-05-11T15:44:00.000+02:00

I had luck to find several of Yasujiro Ozu’s movies and the first one I saw was Banshun.

The story is very simple and lovely. The main character is 27 years old Noriko and she lives with her widowed father. They’ve developed a special bond and, although it’s time for Noriko to get married, she is having a hard time to leave the father. On another side, father will miss the daughter but he is a remarkable and selfless man and he worries about the daughter’s future and happiness.

It was simply poetic and beautiful to watch mutual love, respect and understanding between father and daughter and equally hard to see upcoming events that will change their lives. It was a very touchy experience and I can perfectly understand feelings on both sides.

The closing scenes were especially hard. Everything is said there and without words. It is the heartbreaking moment of solitude at the beginning of changes. It is the moment of realization. Father is sitting and peeling an apple. Waves are breaking on the shore…

Changes are inevitable and painful sometimes, but we must accept changes and embrace them as new opportunities in life. Parting with parents is especially hard because they will love us no matter what while we must somehow deserve the love of all other people we meet. Parents’ love is without demands so to say.

There is one more interesting side of this movie and that is the Japanese postwar lifestyle. The American influence on their culture is obvious. We can see a Coca Cola advertisement for example but there are many indications in general.

Setsuko Hara played Noriko and she was simply lovely! Her smile is so adorable and it will light up your heart. Chishu Ryu played her father. They both have done a wonderful job. Don’t miss it!

300

2007-05-11T04:44:00.000+02:00

I know I will be eaten alive for saying this but I didn’t like the movie 300 directed by Zack Snyder. In fact, I was very disappointed.

Oddly enough, I was speaking with several friends (people whose opinion I value and respect) and many liked this movie a lot. Not to mention that my own brother entered my house a few moments ago by saying: This is Sparta! LOL Alright, we all have personal tastes and preferences so let me have my wine and cheese.

I was expecting to see an epic historical movie about the battle of Thermopylae in which a band of 300 Spartans held back an army of thousands of Persians but I got dozens of special effects and pathetic characters. It was like a slap right into the face. Heaven preserve us!

So, what is my problem with 300? I have several but I will state only a few. I know the movie is based on Frank Miller's graphic novel and I know it is not meant to be a documentary from some history channel but I simply can’t enjoy this type of entertainment since we already have too many! I am so enough of entertainment movies. I found 300 to be simply pointless and without any meaning and message. Snyder put all efforts into the visual part of the movie instead to develop something way more important, like characters and the story itself. However, I also think that he should simply call this battle and people by some fictional names. That would make more sense considering what he presented to us. It was simply hilarious to hear Snyder’s statement for MTV that 300 is a 90% historically accurate movie. I fell from the chair! Later on, for BBC news, he said that the movie in its core is fantasy movie. Someone might have educated him in the meanwhile, I guess.

So, our brave men are fighting for what? What cause and what lifestyle? Let me tell you that they are fighting for the rows of pillars as that is the only thing that you will see of Sparta. Seeing king Leonidas as some sort of a macho man and Xerxes portrayed as androgynous creature was simply hilarious. And the Oracle! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Female priests are exchanged with a bunch of old (leprous?) men in black hoods. God will no longer speak there indeed!

I heard about the protests in Iran. I won’t comment much although I can see where they are coming from. Thanks to the current political situation in the world, people really became paranoid and that is just sad. Yes, Snyder turned Persians into monsters but I don’t think he had any political intensions as he obviously don’t know much about the battle of Thermopylae nor about Sparta or any other historical aspect that he (ironically) filmed.

The ultimate point of 300 is holding on the ground that the small group of people was outnumbered by their enemies and yet they stood up and fought back. But let me remind you that what is presented to be astonishing, heroic and ultimate sacrifice was common sense back then and many other times in history. Not to mention that dialogues are very shallow and emotions were raised to a pathetic level. I truly couldn’t sympathize with Spartans while laughing at the stupid dialogues.

A lot of effort and money have gone into postproduction and I guess that is exactly the part that people like the most. Heck the entire movie is a series of special effects and there is absolutely nothing else to be seen so, to put it simple, you will enjoy some special effects or you won’t enjoy at all!

The official website 300

Moving and Black Light

2007-05-06T18:54:00.000+02:00

So yes, I didn’t post any of my photos lately and I didn’t mention anything about my life in general. As some of you know, I don’t have much time at this moment because I am about to move to another country. Next month I will be in Switzerland.

Moving is hard, meaning there are a lot of a things that need to be done. I have to leave my apartment and the most important is that I actually have to storage all my belongings. The biggest problem is the furniture. I don’t have a car so practically I can take only my suitcases with me, which means that I can’t really carry much. It’s also hard because I have to leave my family and friends and my country. I don’t even know any of Swiss languages but I’m planning to stay there for about two years so I will certainly learn some. Switzerland is a beautiful country and I have traveled there several times. I hope I can settle in some small place by a lake because I want to be surrounded with nature and I like water very much. Anyway, I won’t post anything here for a while, probably from June to July, until I finally settle.

When it comes to photography, I had my third exhibition recently. It was actually a collective exhibition of a several photographers and I have exhibited several photos from my experimental series with black light.

UV lamps or black light fluorescent tubes are usually used in archeology, criminology and medicine. If you are interested to experiment with black light, I can give you some advice. First, I didn’t use flash or any other source of light, except one weak black light tube. Common is to use two sources of a black light but I used one. Tripod is a must. The main problem is bad visibility and focus. Light up your subject and adjust the camera settings before you switch to black light. You can also focus on the visible light and shoot with the maximum depth of field. However, the best is to make tests for the correct focus and exposure. I didn’t use any filter but common is to use a filter that will block visible light.

Some colors and materials are especially vibrant. If you want to get black background the best is to use black fabric. I didn’t use any particular background because my black light source was weak enough hence the background appears to be black. I’m planning to experiment further and to try out different effects. Anyway, I hope this information was useful.

wallpaper

The Marathon Family

2007-04-30T00:43:00.000+02:00

I love Slobodan Sijan’s movies and I saw almost all of them. Maratonci Trce Pocasni Krug or The Marathon Family is considered to be a cult movie in Serbia. It contains humor specific for this country and therefore a good translation (subtitle) for this movie is simply a must. Some of the jokes are untranslatable. Some of them have deeper meaning only for the people in Serbia. However, it is possible to watch this movie and to grasp a bit of a different mentality. Sijan’s movies are generally very refreshing and interesting.

The Marathon Family is based on Dusan Kovacevic’s theater play. Set in the little town in inner part of Serbia, this is the story about Topalovic family that is into funeral business for generations. Their company name is Last Lodging and they are making coffins because, as Laki Topalovic said, everything can fail and disappear, only death is a steady job.

This is not an ordinary family. Oh no! Topalovic women “fade away like flowers” after giving birth to a boy so basically there is no female member in the family. What we see are six generations of men and the oldest member is 120 years old Pantelija.

The movie is centered around the youngest family member Mirko. As the representative of the new generation, Mirko had enough of the coffin business. He is in love with mafia boss daughter Kristina while she is after cinema owner and movie maker Djenka.

Most of the actors are well known and highly respected in Serbia, often playing in comedies but they are also brilliant stage actors. I had luck to get to know Zoran Radmilovic who played the mafia boss in this movie. As actor, he was well known and famous for his improvisations in several theater plays. He died in 1985. I will always remember his cheerful nature.

De Jurk

2007-04-26T19:45:00.000+02:00

I read somewhere that we can lie in the language of dress or try to tell the truth but unless we are naked and bald, it is impossible to be silent.

I simply don’t know how to begin my story about the movie De Jurk (The Dress). I’m overwhelmed by many emotions. Blue dress with leaves… My God, this is the story I never expected!

De Jurk is a tale about the journey of one interesting dress, from the day it was envisioned and created, through the lives of many owners and until the end, when the dress has finally fulfilled its strange purpose.

There are actually several tales but they are developing from each other and some characters keep reappearing. The stories are weird and funny but also quite disturbing and obscene. There is a lot of violence, unexpected situations, comedy and drama. You just don’t know if you should laugh and where all of that is going to end!

Is this the story about the people or about the dress? I guess both. We are attracted by certain objects. We all have our favorite pair of shoes for example. Some people believe that certain shirts or pair of socks can bring them luck and so on. Well why not? But it seems like this dress keeps bringing bad luck to its owners. I swear the dress in question is cursed! LOL

Some people said: Yes, the movie is interesting but what’s the message? Indeed, it might look like there is none. However, for myself, behind all crazy happenings, there is a quest for love and there is the message. Absolutely all characters in this movie desperately search for love in one way or another. We all define love differently, just like the dream of one person can be a nightmare for another person. Same is with happiness. Sometimes we need so little, just one kiss or hug. Sometimes our search became obsession.

The entire cast of De Jurk was excellent and all characters are well developed and equally interesting. The story is simply great and director Alex van Warmerdam has done an excellent job. As usual, he played in his movie and this time he is a train conductor. Don’t miss it!

Umberto D.

2007-04-22T02:39:00.000+02:00

I’m sure many things have already been said about the movie Umberto D. It is indeed one of the finest movies ever made. I used to work for the Red Cross helping old people in my area and this movie brought many memories to my mind.

Director Vittorio De Sica dedicated this movie to his father. The main character is Umberto Domenico Ferrari. He is old and a poor pensioner who has no one but his dog Flike.

The story is actually very simple – Umberto is struggling to pay the rent to his landlady and she just doesn’t have any understanding for his situation. The only friendly character is the young maid Maria and although she cares about the old man she can’t do much to help him. They both are down on their luck.

Carlo Battisti plays Umberto and I must say that he has done an absolutely fantastic job. I was amazed to find out that this was actually the only movie he ever played in. I don’t think it’s possible to watch this movie without tears in your eyes. Mister Battisti has managed to break my heart with his astonishing performance.

Although very emotional and dramatic, this movie is never sappy or mawkish. All characters are very well developed and we can make clear conclusions even from the shortest appearances.

This is definitely a character-driven movie. It will make you think about ageing but regardless the years, we can be down on our luck any time. Sometimes it takes only one dog to help us further in our struggles through life.

Andrey Rublyov

2007-04-08T16:59:00.000+02:00

Since I spoke about the movie Perfume: The Story of the Murderer in my last post, I decided to go over some movies that I saw in the past (and indeed I saw so many), which naturally lead me to one of my favorite directors – Andrei Tarkovsky and his movie Andrey Rublyov.

We know so little about Rublyov and there are very few historical documents, all very brief. What is known is that he lived in 15th-century Russia and that he is considered to be the greatest Russian iconographer. I think I can start already from here by telling that the movie Andrey Rublyov is (among other things) the story about artist and his position in the world, pictured through the regime of the middle-age Russia in this particular case but mind you, the story has universal character.

You can be very famous (Rublyov surely is!) but yet history might not know anything about you. An artist is often (so to say) a product of his/her time because no one is isolated from the historical events in one way or another. This movie (to quote Tarkovsky) will tell you of the impossibility of creating art outside of the nation's aspirations, of the artist's attempts to express its soul and character, and of the way that an artist's character depends upon his historical situation. As an artist, I was deeply moved by this movie. There is also some hardness that lasts long after the movie ended…

Although the movie is named by Andrey Rublyov, he appears to be just one of the characters, often passive as he is merely observing the situation but deeply affected by the events.

All main characters are different and interesting. All of them have their own tales, personal philosophy and approach to art and events. For example, Theophanes the Greek is already an established iconographer, old enough to live without illusions. For him, art is but a craft. I liked some of his lines very much, like when he said:

Yes, I'm going to die. The other day, I saw an angel in my dream. "Come with me," he says. And I answer: "I'm going to die soon anyway, without your help."

Or when he said (referring to people):

Today they praise, tomorrow they'll abuse what they praised only yesterday, and after that they'll forget both you and me. They'll forget everything!

The script is written by Andrei Konchalovsky and Tarkovsky. The particular historical background is not bright but has history ever been?! Religion and the regime are in the center of the story but there is much more than that.

The entire movie is black and white except the very end, where we can see the actual Rublyov’s iconography and that almost gives a sense of the miracle.

The movie won three awards. Not enough I would say ;). Tarkovsky’s cinematography is simply beautiful! I think this is a must see movie.

Perfume

2007-04-07T20:42:00.000+02:00

Not so long ago I saw Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. People often complain that books are better than movies and I must confess, I often agree with that statement but in this particular case I was truly pleasantly surprised. Mind you, the task was not easy and many said that filming Süskind’s novel was actually an impossible task but I think director Tom Tykwer has done a good job. I have taken some screenshots for those interested to take a peek.

Everything was exactly or very close to what I imagined while reading the book, except for the end. I personally think that the very end of the movie could have been executed much better and the main character (Grenouille) is not enough developed. He is far from the book in the matter of appearance. Anyway, for those that are not familiar with the story, I will try to give a brief synopsis. Set in 18th-century France, the entire story follows the life of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, from the day he was born to the very end. Grenouille had one very interesting talent and that was a superior olfactory sense. He was creating the world’s finest perfumes but that didn’t mean much to him because he was searching for the one particular, ultimate scent, which will eventually lead him to crime. I won’t say anything else. Go, see the movie!

Ben Whishaw plays Grenouille. I must admit, I never saw him before but he was pretty good in this role.

I didn’t have a clue about the cast so seeing Dustin Hoffman as perfumer Baldini and Alan Rickman as loving father was totally surprising and a pleasant experience.

The movie is less brutal than the novel. Picturing scents (which was important considering the story) is executed well. Surely you can’t smell, unless your local cinema came up with some ideas, but there are images, music, atmosphere and all works truly well. Also, the cinematography and costumes are excellent. I think you won’t be disappointed.

The official website Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

Latest Photos

2007-03-02T07:30:00.000+01:00

I have totally neglected my blog! Life has been crazy and I didn’t have much time for anything lately.

I miss winter, I want snow! We have something like extended autumn here. Lots of rain and mist but not snow. At least my cats are having a great time because they like to be outside, preferably on our roof! So what they are doing on the roof?

Here you can see Micko. He is sleeping. Hardly anything can wake him up because the poor thing is deaf.

This is Marco, teasing neighbor's dog LOL

The mentioned dog:

Now they are together :)

First we got Marco. He just came into our yard and decided to stay with us. Few weeks later he brought Micko. Dog belongs to our neighbor but she is constantly with us. We also have two turtles.

Anyway, I have taken these photos before I went to our local fortress. It was early in the morning and the city was surprisingly silent. Misty and a bit rainy day…

I found workers on the fortress. They were repairing old hotel façade.

The entire place was covered with mist. I could hardly see anything in the distance.

I was walking around, enjoying the silence and taking photos while waiting on the cafe to open so I can drink my first coffee.

Later on, I have been reading some magazines in the cafe and I saw some beautiful short poem. Thought I should share it:

Send me a leaf, but from a bush
That grows at least one half hour
Away from your house, then
You must go and will be strong, and I
Thank you for the pretty leaf.

Have a nice day everyone!

Saddam Hussein executed

2006-12-30T06:59:00.000+01:00

Deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was executed today by hanging about 6 a.m. Baghdad time. In a farewell message to Iraqis, posted Wednesday on the Internet, Saddam said he was giving his life for his country as part of the struggle against the U.S.

Iraq's death penalty was suspended by the U.S. military in 2003, but the new Iraqi government reinstated it two years later, saying executions would deter criminals. I must say, I am totally against death penalty in general. Why not to put people into prison? I also read that some mosque preacher in the Shiite holy city of Najaf called Saddam's execution “God's gift to Iraqis”. What kind of preacher or any believer would say something like that? I just don’t understand. Some people really have nerves - they turned our religions into something very inhuman. During our not so bright history, many people have been executed “in the name of God”. The truth is they have been executed in the name of the people in charge. God has nothing to do with it. Unfortunately anyone can interpret God’s will in his own ways. Ain’t that convenient?! Don’t get me wrong, I know Saddam is most likely guilty by all charges, but that doesn’t affect my opinion about death penalty.

I feel so down at this moment. The current situation in the world worries me big time! Death penalties, wars, pollutions... I have to post something brighter.