I decided to go for a photo-walk, and took the road to Dryanovo alone, its about a 4km walk by all accounts and took me an hour or so. I walked towards the sound of voices, and found myself in amongst the action in the Town Square on a day when I had said that some 'street' portraits were on the agenda. I wanted to get some people pics in amongst the Urbex shots and the still life that I had shot over the days prior. Dave was busy at home today, and so I took the opportunity to shoot alone for a few hours. Unbeknown to me today was Dryanovos most special day of the year. A celebration of the architect that built the town, and today was extra special , as the cardinal of the Southern regions of Bulgaria was present in the town, opening the New Museum and giving it his blessing. I was squeezed in amongst the hustle and bustle of excited Towns folk at the entrance to the new museum, when all of a sudden the crowds parted, all eyes fell on me, and someone shouted out "Photographer". It all went silent for a few seconds when I realized that it was I that was being called to take the official photos, I was ushered into the museum by the Mayors PR assistant, who had assumed that I was official PRESS, I was literally shooting under the cardinals nose, and had a few great opportunities to shoot. Not the greatest light though, and I was without my 580 EXII having assumed that I was going to be shooting outside all day, but I made the most of the opportunity and shot what I could. It was one of those fantastic photographic moments, that could only happen in a small provincial town in Bulgaria. A moment I will never forget......

Buzludzha monument in Bulgaria, taken from the lower ridge, looking towards the Wind generators on the peak opposite. It was very very cold, and a long way up. Deceptively so. Apparently over a KM in that direction from where we parked. We are fools (Dave and myself) as we reached 'our summit' we realized that there was a service road right to the top, we just hadn't seen it. I wanted to kill someone (djn!!), but was too knackered (one for Carlos) and in awe of the scene that now lay in front of me. I will only post one more of these in this series for now, but may save it til next week, and post a portrait tomorrow just to break it up a little.

The title for this series from the Buzludzha monument in Bulgaria, was taken from some graffiti which was painted on the lower quarter of the huge upright tower / mast. Unfortunately the only frame I got depicting the graffiti was blown in the highlights, I'm not sure there's enough of a shot to rescue it, but if i ever go back, I'll be sure to capture it again.

Dave captured this cracking shot from inside the main auditorium, and I know he has a better HDR of this upper ring than I. But today's post is quite emotive in as much as here is a link to how it once looked. What a view. Absolutely stunning / breath taking... now abandoned, destroyed.

According to wikipedia ...

Buzludzha is a historical peak in the Central Stara Planina, Bulgaria and is 1441 metres high. In 1868 it was the place of the final battle between Bulgarian rebels led by Hadji Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha and the Turks. In 1891 the socialists led by Dimitar Blagoev assembled secretly in the area to form an organised socialist movement. In honour of this act was built the Buzludzha Monument, one of the symbols of the socialism in Bulgaria. Both myself and Dave ventured up here alone, and we were literally the only people there. It was mildly creepy, quite exciting, and a fantastic photo opportunity. I'm not entirely convinced I nailed it, in terms of imagery, i have several frames to work on I'll probably regret posting this image on its own, but for now at least I am quite happy with it. There are so many view you can take here, a fish eye works well in this scenario, but alas I dont own one. Never mind, you make the best of what you have, and try to represent it in a way that makes you glad you are able to see. This place is amazing, you could literally spend a day recording it, and still not see everything. Its definately a shame that it lies in ruins, and is not held up as a museum to a time of rule, subject to question, but none the less a part of Bulgarian history.

Last week I spent time in Bulgaria with my good friend Dave and his family. I was invited over, and took the opportunity to get blogging again after a rusty year off. I think he appreciates the company, and the change of scenery. The kids were pleased to see me as well, probably something to do with the 3kg of sweets I packed into the case. We spent several hours walking up Shipka on this day, Dave managed a few frames, I've yet to edit any of those, something to do with not being as quick (or as good) as DJ at Post processing (or so he says ;-)), only to be presented by a heavy cloud base, and not much of a view, having climbed 1066 steps up, that said it was alot to do with the company, and not so much about the photography non this occasion. But on the return journey we dropped into the lake a few km's from Daves Bulgarian home, and we looked at reflections, landscape. The option of a portrait happening there and then seemed quite slim.

Sometimes you just need to stop and wait for an opportunity to arise in front of you. This pretty much describes this shot. The distant barking of a dog, the tinkling of bells, a random walk by a lake that we had visited 2 days prior in the rain, and then a few moments later, rustling in some distant bushes, and out popped a goat, then another, and another, then the dogs, then the goat herder. Taking them to pasture, and to grab a quick drink. I waved an acknowledgment to him, really just to say good afternoon, but he started to approach me, and then stood still as in the shot. I took my opportunity to grab a few frames, before he was off into the distance. A genuine moment that happens very rarely. It was as if he knew he needed to be photographed. I hope I did him justice...... thanks for stopping by.

Like i said yesterday, the expectation of a shot can sometimes put the dampeners on actually begin able to achieve that goal. I'm hoping (as is Dave) that our second trip out this week, goes a little easier than 18months ago. We travel to the Shipka pass, to photograph the monument which stands at 816 steps up and a few thousand feet above sea level. I won't go into too much depth here, but the last time I photographed this, Dave was very very ill and I climbed it alone. Tomorrow we are both going fully camera laden, and hoping for a couple of peachy shots / landscapes.

This entry is from within a derelict Municipal school building. Some three stories and a cellar, and approximately 70 rooms its a big building, and quite eery to walk around, with nothing but the wind and rain as a background sound.

Expectation of photography is, and can be far higher than that which is attainable with the pressure of feeling you have to shoot. Different for me then I guess, in as much as I shoot purely for pleasure, I see what I see, and I move on. For others the battle to achieve is constant. The option of failure, is not an option. This can make it a less than pleasurable experience if you allow the pressure to build for reasons of commercial gain, or worse still you are being told what to do.

Photography for me is a release, its a pleasure I indulge in small slices, small slices of freedom afforded to me by those who love me. Its a 'me time' moment that I can just make my own. If I succeed in getting an image, an image of anything that I find mildly pleasing to the eye, then its been a positive moment. Whether its a classic beautiful moment, or something that others may see as dark and gloomy. I actually like dark and gloomy scenes. Quite often than not I see beyond the dark and see something positive.

In this case the rain was pouring, and we were at least out of the rain. I was out with a good friend @chromasia, and I had my camera out. That was a good day. Oh and the promise of sausages and mash and a real fire when we got back. What more could you want.

Dave's first from my visit to Bulgaria is here http://www.chromasia.com/iblog/archives/1010171935.php, and I'm borrowing his 35mm f1.4 today, just going to shoot with this alone, it should be a fun day... heading into Dryanovo to shoot some market stuff today, so there might be a human element in the shots today.

The crossing house at Ganchovets in Bulgaria, which I am sure shakes to the foundations (if there are any) every time the train goes by. Which is about 5 times a day. Porter lives in a part of this building, which I just found interesting, as to how someone can live literally 10ft from a line. I also photographed the station and its post war platform and buildings. Was an interesting place. Not entirely sure I photographed it fully, I was feeling a tad jaded that day..... always next time... CSJ