Colin Melvin

January 13, 2017

Zadar

My drive from Ljubljana to Zadar took me along the eastern side of the Velebit mountain range, a region of stunning natural beauty. The mountains separate Lika in the interior from the Adriatic coast and I was amazed by the transition from snowy wooded slopes to near desert as I emerged from the Svet Rok Tunnel. From -9C to +1C and Alps to Mediterranean within five minutes! As the road meandered towards the coast, I looked back towards the Velebit and had the most wonderful view of Rovanjska village, framed by mountains, white and arid, highly textured with saturated deep blue sky in the mid-afternoon sunshine. Then I had that dreadful feeling, familiar to all photographers, of adding to my collection of “the best photographs that I have never taken” because there was nowhere to stop on the motorway.

As I drove on, I reflected upon the drama of this transition and my apparent loss and how accepting things as they are can be freeing and empowering. But I wondered what motivates us to change, if not dissatisfaction. Should I find some way back to the beautiful view or should I allow photographs to come to me, when I am ready, confident in my ability to recognise them? Thereafter, the journey brought back very happy memories of the garden route near Cape Town, with dramatic and sublime coast, mountain and sea, but I didn’t stop because I wanted to reach Zadar before sunset.

This was my first time in Zadar, which I found to be a delightful and friendly mini-Dubrovnik, although an even more ancient City with Roman ruins and sublime sea views. I was interested to discover that it is twinned with Dundee, although I couldn’t find any evidence of cultural exchange.

The view in the first photograph is from the Old Town peninsular towards Maraska Park. A figure is standing in a small boat moored at the end of the Marina Yacht Club Pier and both are blurred due to the movement of the sea and long exposure. The second shows Zadar’s marble pavement, which is reminiscent of Dubrovnic. I like the tension or connection between the person walking on the street and the dummies, one of which seems to be emerging from the shop. The third has a group of tourists photographing themselves with the sunset.

Maraska Park from the Old Town, Zadar

Fashion Square, Zadar

Selfies and sunset, Zadar Peninsular

January 12, 2017

Ljubljana

Some places are friendlier than others, or so they seem. I first visited Ljubljana in 2002 to talk at a conference as a guest of the local stock exchange. I remember very friendly people and excellent food. I had a similar impression travelling with my family last summer on a brief lunch stopover between Hévíz and Trieste. So on this, my third visit, I expected and was pleased to have the same experience.

Despite this corroboration, I wondered whether I just happened to arrive in the right frame of mind each time, or if Ljubljana really was different. That is, does how I am determine how things are for me? I am certainly finding that the more present and open I am, the better my experience in almost all situations. I will continue to experiment with this and may even attempt it on my return to the City!

I had left Sopron late following a search for snow-chains, so I arrived in Ljubljana after dark, but I went looking for reflections anyway. My favourite time for photography is during and just after sunset, as I find the colours saturate, there is more contrast and there are different light temperatures and sources. And, of course, I very much like twilight reflections. As I had missed dusk, I also ventured out early the next morning in -16C to make the most of the sunrise.

The two evening photographs are views of the Ljubljanica river, from the Triple Bridge. The love locks are on the Butchers’ Bridge. The fourth is of a corner of the Central Market Square.

Ljubljanica river, Ljubljana

View from Triple Bridge, Ljubljana

Butchers’ Bridge, Ljubljana

Central Market Square, Ljubljana

January 10, 2017

Sopron

I have spent the past three days in Sopron, Hungary, a beautiful town that I know very well. Paradoxically, this made it more challenging to photograph from a tourist’s perspective. This has helped me understand that my journey involves learning to accept places and people as I find them, including those that are familiar, and thereby leaving the field of experience more open.

These two photographs were taken with a wide angle (20mm) lens from the top of the C17th Tüztorony (Fire Tower) which is the symbol of Sopron. Most of the buildings that you can see in the main square below are from the same period, although built upon a medieval street plan to replace those destroyed by fire in 1676.

I was very pleased to find the Tower still open at 5pm and spent 30 minutes at minus 8C taking photographs alone. In the first, which shows the main square, Kolostor utca (Cloister Street) and Új utca (New Street), I like the three spires and the depth and snowy highlights. In the second, which looks over the top of the two courtyards of the Town Hall, with the spire of the Szent György Church in the distance, I like the way Sopron’s light is reflected in the clouds.

Fö Tér, Sopron

Town Hall and Szent György Templom, Sopron

January 9, 2017

Photographic Road Trip

On leaving my employer of 14 years and finding myself with some free time, I have embarked on a month-long transitional road trip from the UK to the Dalmatian Coast with my camera. I will post my photographs and comments here as I go.

So far I have visited Amsterdam, Heidelberg and Salzburg. Here is a selection from week one…