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Ruins, Wheat and Poppies


Ruins, Wheat and Poppies
Photo Information
Copyright: Sorina Balea (sorinabal) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 607 W: 23 N: 988] (5958)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-06
Categories: Nature
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-12-11 0:30
Viewed: 638
Points: 70
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I saw this beautiful image driving on the Ile de Ré, from La Rochelle to the main village of the island, Saint-Martin-de-Ré.


From Wikipedia about Ile de Ré:

Ile de Ré (formerly also Île de Rhé; in English Isle of Rhé) is an island off the west coast of France near La Rochelle, on the northern side of the Pertuis d'Antioche strait.

The island is 30 km long, 5 km wide, and a 2.9 km bridge, completed in 1988, connects it to La Rochelle on the mainland.


Administration

Administratively, the island is part of the Charente-Maritime département, in the Poitou-Charentes région.
The island is divided into 10 communes, from East to West: Rivedoux-Plage, La Flotte, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, La Couarde-sur-Mer, Loix, Ars-en-Ré, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, Les Portes-en-Ré.


History

During Roman times, Île de Ré was an archipelago made of three small islands. The space between these small islands was progressively filled, by a combination of human activity (salt fields gained from the sea) and siltage.

In the seventh and eighth century the island, along with Oléron, formed the Vacetae Insulae or Vacetian Islands, according to the Cosmographia.[1] Vaceti being another name for the Vascones, the reference is evidence to Basque (Gascon) settlement or control of the islands by that date.

In 1627, an English invasion force under the command of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham attacked the island in order to relieve the Siege of La Rochelle. After three months of combats and sieges, the Duke was forced to withdraw in defeat.

The main port, Saint Martin, was fortified by Vauban in 1681, and was later used as a depot for convicts on their way to the penal settlements of New Caledonia and French Guiana.

During World War II, the beaches of Île de Ré were fortified by German forces with bunkers, in order to block a possible seaward invasion. Many of the bunkers are still visible, in a more or less derelict state. Several scenes of the 1962 movie The Longest Day were filmed on the beaches of Île de Ré.


Connection to the continent

In 1987, a 2 kilometer bridge was built to connect the island to the continent. Heretofore, the island was connected through roll-on roll-off transit ships (called "Bacs"), which could accommodate vehicles and passengers. In peak summer time periods, the waiting time to board a ship could reach several hours. The bridge was built by the Bouygues company. Since then, touristic activities on the island have developed considerably, with real estate prices reaching very high levels. The easier transportation system has stimulated the purchase of holiday homes by people from Paris, who can even visit for week-ends. The Paris-La Rochelle train trip takes just 3 hours, and then taxis can be taken to drive to the island.


Life on the island

The area is a popular tourist destination. It has approximately the same number of hours of sunshine as the famous southern coast of France. The island is noted to have a constant light breeze, and the water temperature is generally cool. The island is surrounded with gently sloping, sandy beaches, which are a real treat for families and tourists.
The island has a resident winter population of approximately 16,000 residents and a resident summer population of about 160,000. Since the local population is distributed all over the island, it never gets too crowded. The island is covered by bicycle tracks, showing that many residents rarely use cars for transportation. Camping grounds and hotels abound on the island, as well as large supermarkets and all modern amenities. Most families stay on the island for the duration of their vacations.
Night life consists of going to Saint Martin, the main port, or to La Flotte, to walk along the quays and to potter around the shops, which are open very late. Restaurants abound. At night, visitors can also watch the buskers, have a drink and enjoy the island's delicious artisanal ice cream, all set in a family-friendly atmosphere.
The island has its fair share of celebrities, including Lionel Jospin, who was Prime Minister of France from 1997 to 2002 and who is known to go there regularly for his holidays. Johnny Depp has also been spotted there.
Oysters and fresh fish are always available. There is also a tradition in which the fishermen, upon return from the sea, sell a small quantity of their catch directly on the quays, enabling themselves to buy a drink. Markets are open on a daily basis in the main towns and are a popular place to shop, taste and chat. Even the vendors in the markets come to the island on their holidays. Generally, they work only in the mornings, enabling themselves to enjoy the remainder of the day. Shopping affords a large variety of items, such as comics, books, African articles, ceramics, clothes, artifacts, food, local specialities, tools and souvenirs, in other words, something for every taste.


Miscellaneous

Nearby Fort Boyard, an ancient maritime fort, is currently used for a television game show series of the same name.
Fortuna, ioana_tm, milas, PakoJones, cunejo200, vandana2923, ls_photography, lilimih33, gildasjan, EOSF1, AJ786, salmi, Viking, JohnTulip, Janone, harpya, saggitario, Hormon_Manyer, Giorgimer, juulbaars has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Hormon_Manyer: Ile de Resorinabal 1 12-16 04:15
To JohnTulip: About notesorinabal 1 12-13 03:11
To PakoJones: Thank you!sorinabal 1 12-11 04:07
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Fons Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1519 W: 1 N: 143] (12189)
  • [2007-12-11 2:04]

Schöne ²Ausz!cht auf die alte Kirche very sharp and beautiful colours!

Hello sorina,

nice catch, beautiful colors and composition

TFS

Olivier

Buna Sorina,
o priveliste de admirat! Cata seninatate in aceasta fotografie... Excelenta combinatie de elemente. Felicitari!
Numai bine,
Ioana

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2186 W: 383 N: 2268] (24390)
  • [2007-12-11 3:22]

Merhaba myfriend Sorina...
verynice comp..and shot..superb colors and focus...bravo..selamlar

Hola Sorina,

Excelente composición de esta panorámica, muy buenos colores y perfecta iluminación. Me gusta mucho.

Saludos,

Pako

This is very lovely Sorina. And a highly informative Note. I like the space and brown color you devoted to the f/g. The church is well seen and is attractive. Best regards, Danilo

Hello Sorina,
An interesting composition featuring this fine old ruin, most likely a church I think..!
The large field with some red flowers makes a nice lead-in, and the view is topped by this fine blue sky...
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • ttreen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1570 W: 119 N: 3640] (14824)
  • [2007-12-11 6:18]

Hello Sorina
It is so sad to see this ... but your photo is wonderful..
with the splash of the red poppies adding to your FG...

Tricia

Personally, I think the colors are a bit strange- I think the blue should be a bit lighter. But great crop,framing, rule of thirds, and note.
TFS

Ciao Sorina!
Si eu cred ca mergea un pic mai mult cer, dar imi place oricul imaginea ta! Are culori frumoase, ai incadrat bine acea ruina si ai relizat si o rama frumoasa!
Felicitari pentru toate pozele tale frumoase!
Toate cele bune!
Lili

Hello Sorina,

Beautiful colors of a very beautiful job! Very well done!
Congratulations!
TFS
Sergio

:) later

  • Great 
  • pozaru Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3301 W: 676 N: 2053] (16615)
  • [2007-12-12 0:53]

Cred ca mai mergea un picut de spatiu sus.
E un pic "turtita" ... poate si rama e de vina.
In rest, ce sa zic, frumos !

v
ps.Reviu cu puncte

  • Great 
  • jawa Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1697 W: 0 N: 1] (11434)
  • [2007-12-12 0:53]

Hi Sorina
In one word beautiful.
Gr Jos
P**

Bonjour Sorina
Très beau tableau avec cette ruine,ce champ de blé et les coquelicots et tout cela sur l'ile de Ré.Bravo et bonne journée.
Cordialement
Gildas

Hello Sorina,

Like this POV and nice DOF.
Well composed and natural colors. TFS

Vandana
later

Hi Sorina, splendid composition with fascinating ruins, wonderful light and colors, excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1535 W: 145 N: 2173] (18942)
  • [2007-12-12 8:13]

Hello Sorina, very well composed scene, great colos and exposure. Well done, thanks !

Mario

  • Great 
  • salmi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 850 W: 5 N: 430] (4732)
  • [2007-12-12 14:47]

Servus Sorina,
Incantatoare priveliste, culori calde de vara, compozitie reusita. Imi place!
Numai bine,
Mihaela

  • Great 
  • Viking Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 63 N: 782] (4383)
  • [2007-12-12 19:33]

Menhir's of Ireland, a Gothic Church and Prairies of the US
This is a confusing good photo Sorina
TC
Rob

Again a very nice one.
Than notes.. Sorina..for my profession I had a few marketing lessons and learned a few things.. keep it short.

When you have to speak in pulic: Rule is .. not longer than the duration of a normal cigaret..

Notes ..like in here .. and this is not a neggy (negative critique) but I try to explain something to a friend:

You did your very best with making an intresting story.. but know that more than 70% in here hardley read (long) notes!

So.. my advice.. KEEP IT SHORTER ..
make a link to those who like to know more..
write with spaces between 2-3 lines

Sure.. ofcourse there will be others telling :
Oh NO!! I LIKE YOUR LONG NOTE(S)..

But this is a statistic thing

On the other hand .. I did take the trouble to read it to the end..
Since I know you (a little) and it IS a good note..
But you will understand what I try to say.. right ?
NOTHING personal.

So often we see to long notes and ''Mea Culpa Maxima'
most of the time I only read the start when the note is to long.

Photo work
Very well done ( infact note too ) :-)

John

Hello Sorina

Lovely capture here, good colour and a pretty POV

TFS regards Helen

  • Great 
  • AJ786 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 771 W: 59 N: 1048] (6677)
  • [2007-12-13 4:25]

Hi my friend,

Beautiful landscape shot. Great FG and BG interest that makes the overall composition beautiful. Amazing POV..

TFS

Cheers
AJ786
:-)

  • Great 
  • Janone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3433 W: 87 N: 2977] (19331)
  • [2007-12-13 8:00]

Hello Sorina.
Nice and strong colours in this picture, Good composition too.
Tfs.
Jan

Bonjour,
Joli cadrage et belle présentation.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Salut Sorina,
Très belle photo de ce paysage.
Ton choix de placer le monument en haut de la photo en laissant une grande place au champs de blé est excellent.
Les couleurs sont superbes.
Quand je pense qu'on laisse ce genre de monuments à l'abandon.
Bravo.
Stephane.

realy interesting and beautiful.
Nice color and composition
TFS
bye Aga

  • Great 
  • harpya Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 5079 W: 180 N: 6240] (32948)
  • [2007-12-15 4:25]

Hello Sorina

Beautiful look of this place, the architecture is wonderful, but before arriving until her, we have a beautiful gilded garden sprinkled with beautiful poppies giving a beautiful charm in the composition.
Congratulations for the beautiful look and presentation.


Sérgio
>((((((º>

beautiful capture.. it must be a place full of wonder!! great!! my look is full.. a parfect pov to take deeply a wonderful atmosfere!! brava!!
ciao Marco

Hi Sorina,
Nice composition and colors. I'm not sure You read "Papillon" of Henri Charriére, but I remember this island from the book, because the convicts were transported to French Guyana from here. It's mentioned in Your note, but too shortly.
The photo itself is marvellous, congrats for it.
Have a nice weekend, László

Hi Sorina,

very beautiful mix of nature and fascinating architecture, complete note, I like the frame too.

TFS

Gio

its wonderful

Beautiful place, sounds great to visit! The church must have been magnificent!

hello Sorina

your compositionis very good

the horizon is perfectly placed, as well as the main center of attention ( the castle)
the golden field gives the perspective to the picture, anf the colours are strogn but beautiful

regards

jjo

hi Sorina,
I like the blue and the combination of this with the orange-brown field !
Very balanced composition too !
Well done. Best regards, Daniel

  • Great 
  • glint Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 599 W: 2 N: 429] (2789)
  • [2008-06-24 0:22]

helo Sorina,
this is a lovley image. The spots of red in a field of golden wheat is really attractive. There is also the extra bonus of the ruins.Compositionally, you have made good use of the rule of thirds.
Bev

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