The Old Lady and the Birds

I was wandering quite aimlessly around Kazimierz, the old Jewish district in Krakow, when I noticed someone taking photographs of the side of a building. As often happens I looked up to see what the subject was that had so captivated so many happy-snappers.

The old woman looked so happy feeding the pigeons (despite the fact that they're horrid creatures), and had such a wonderful expression. She saw us photographing her from below, and still she seemed kind and natural and not at all annoyed, which is a real rarity I think.

So this is dedicated to her, to the mystery woman, for giving to me such a magnificent scene to shoot. I only hope I've done her justice.

** Reached #22 in Explore **

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Comments

Swami Stream says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Amazing Pigeons, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

mselderhuis says:

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

zoom_nudetruth [deleted] says:

Congratulations! Your photo has been nominated as "Superb Masterpiece"
You are invited to add your wonderful picture to Superb Masterpiece Group
Please read the Group Rules and tag your photo SuperbMasterpiece
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

from_the_sky says:

Agnieszka says:

That's a lovely story and a beautiful photo, even though I'm not a great fan of pigeons, either. Kazimierz is full of surprises, and this one must have been particularly nice. I like the elderly lady's expression, and I find it sweet that she didn't run away when she found herself being photographed ;)
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

*hb19 says:

great capture....well seen !!!

I saw your great picture in Superb Masterpiece Group
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

alvarolg says:

I love these streetshots... Nice pic.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Food Loves Writing says:

This shot is stunning. Her expression is priceless... just beautiful!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Jutilda says:

How darling.

Seen in EXPLORE
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

kind of katia says:

so precious.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Tina McNeill says:

Magnificent capture. Bravo!

--
Seen in the interestingness archives. (?)
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Little_Ricky says:

You have indeed done her justice. This is magnificent. I love the expression on her face, she looks so peaceful and happy. What a brilliant capture.

(gallery & instructions)
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

iam4ranny says:

Congratulations this made EXPLORE ! What a sweet face she has =)

Please add your Beautiful Photo to:
Beauty is in the *Eye* of the Beholder!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

neloqua says:

Beautiful moment! Love it!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandstein says:

Thanks for licensing this image as CC-BY! Your choice of a free license has allowed us to use your image in Wikimedia Commons. The image is now used to illustrate one or more articles in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Rita Crane Photography returning soon says:

yes you have done her justice
how superb
well done!!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Curlylocks says:

Lovely capture.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Memo Vasquez says:

Wonderful!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

soylentgreen23 says:

Thank you all for your wonderfully kind comments - and I have to say I'm incredibly delighted to see that this picture has found a home for itself on Wikipedia!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

JoseOrpheus says:

Great! Nice shot and cool story!!!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

© ~VISION~AIRY~ says:

Your fantabulous flickr photo is a fave!
Please post this beauty to the Fave My Fave pool
www.flickr.com/groups/FaveMyFaves
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

jnconradie says:

Your most gracious dedication to the lady is super. Wonderful. And of course the shot itself is excellent too. A moment of real life, superbly captured. Compliments jnconradie
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

wsarettaw [deleted] says:

great shot !!!!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

karolina michalowska says:

to się dopiero nazywa poczta pantoflowa
[założę się, że to gołębie pocztowe do wysyłania informacji międzyosiedlowej]
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Anton Larkin says:

Wow that is such a good shot. Nice to know the story behind it too.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

petit_deray says:

ja! tiene compañía, no se aburrirá con tanto pájaro xD
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Sally Van Natta says:

Wonderful! W onderful! Wonderful! I almost got to Karkow once -- thanks for sharing!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Alex Kümpel says:

Soo sweet!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

teşrifat says:

very nice immage...
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

suzukichick says:

This picture is so rich in so many ways, wonderful capture.
--
Seen in Amazing Pigeons (?)
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

iamit10 says:

thats ur one of the best...:)
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

aBuzzi says:

ohhhhhh!!!!... genial!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Malena_c says:

It's a wonderful capture. Her face of hapinness....
Good work!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Malena_c says:

Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

adrians_art says:

What a fabulous shot, the lady has great character!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Jenn (ovaunda) says:

Wow - fantastic capture. I love the personality, the warmth, great overall emotion.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Rick Elkins says:

bravo! Wonderful portrait, great color, light, texture!

Your photo is superb !
Please add this photo to
flickr.com/groups/focuslegacy
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

amproshoot says:

i am even more impressed by the cornicopia of comments for this great shot
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

OctavioBJ says:

Lovely Capture!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Desired says:

Lovely!!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergio Lubezky says:

Thank you for rating, for giving such fantastic and detailed comments and for posting in the group!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Color-de-la-vida says:

Flickr Hearts - Post 1 - Give 5 Flickr Hearts
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Penny T says:

Lovely image....
Flickr Hearts - Post 1 - Give 5 Flickr Hearts
Commented with SIC
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergio Lubezky says:

100 Points Admin Fave

Before I start commenting in your image I would like to apologize because my review will probably seem short and not as detailed as the wonderful reviews and comments you have given in this group...

Having said that, whilst I rarely read the description under an image before rating it, I faved your image when I saw it and now that I am back to give it a review I could not help the temptation and I read your description.

This image is all about emotions, and in particular this is about love. Far stronger than the couple walking hand in hand down the beach under a fantastic sunset, this humble lady feeding the birds (not so horrid btw), in a act of pure love, where nothing at all is expected in return... but further more, she knew she was being photographed and remained as calm and happy as she was before, showing that her love and happiness comes from whiting herself and not from an outside source.

So, this lovely image reminds us what love really is, and I don't think that there can be any stronger message in art.... this example was masterfully composed, exposed and presented, and from a photographic point it deserves my highest marks.

But the story does not end there... my grandparents came to America escaping from the was and hunger in Lithuania and Poland... but if the situation would be different, this old lady might have been a friend of my grandmother... or a cousin, or a sister. On a personal level your image has touched me, made me smile, made me cry and I appreciate it very much.

Rating #1:

Rated 20 out of 20 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

dr ama says:

A compelling subject & story
I did not need to read your foot note to understand the shot
The bottom 1/3 of the picture is where all the action is
& that hasnt been presented well

There is too much room above the old lady & not enough below

I would not describe her as a mysterious lady but just as a kind one :)

Rating #2:

Rated 14 out of 20 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Jahner says:

Rating #3:

Wow. The framing, the color, the focus, the subject ...

This photo is fantastic. The main text of my comments is criticism, so I can't think of anything to say about this photo. It just works.

Definitely a favorite.

Rated 20 out of 20 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandra_R says:

Wow! I love this shot! Beautiful capture!
It's very very good!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

El Inglés says:

Very well captured with accurate exposure and wonderful pastel tones. However, the composition hints at a grabbed shot and I think it could have been a stronger composition square on to the window so that the horizontals and verticals were reproduced as such. However, the image has clearly struck a chord with Sergio and that's more important that my pedantic comments. Stirring emotion is the real measure of a photo.

Rating #4:

Rated 15 out of 20 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Asad K says:

its a beautiful photo, emotion captured well, and the birds looks really good. the only thing that i dont like about it is that the verticals dont align, which im sure was inevitable as you probably took the picture pointing up and to the side.... other than that its great

Rating #5:

Rated 16 out of 20 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

ihtatho says:

it'd be better if you zoom out a bit so all birds are inside frame. however, this pic has great story behind it which makes technical thing becomes less important.

Rating #6:

Rated 19 out of 20 in the 100 Points group.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

RUKnight says:

I like how the age of the subject matches the age of the building, as well as the color between the two. Nice composition, though I agree with El Ingles in that a head on shot would fix the slight distoprtion in the window frames. I know that the main subject is the woman and her birds, but these are just the little things that grab the eye. Nice job taking the opportunity when it presented.

Rating #7:

Rated 16 out of 20 in the 100 Points group
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

noviKorisnik says:

Final rating in the 100 Points group is a massive 86 Points.

Well done!

Please request entry and publish this photograph in the 80-89 Points group and thank you very much for participating in the 100 Points group.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Kevin Rochowski says:

I recently returned from Poland, having gone over there for my brothers wedding... obviously this is something that this old lady does a lot, as I also saw and took a photo of her doing the exact same thing! Except in my case, this was in July!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Kevin Rochowski says:

I've uploaded the photo now... it can be found here:

www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_rochowski/9812358 03/in/set-72...
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

VangieBug says:

This is great.

Flickr Hearts - Post 1 - Give 5 Flickr Hearts
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

randa* says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called National Geographic - by Italian people
and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

Please, BEFORE POSTING, vote your preference
for the "Best picture of the month" at this link

Please add the tag at your photo: "NGI - National Geographic - by Italian People"

Thank you! :)
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

jenmussari says:

wow, this is who i want to be when i grow up.
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

mary.k says:

nice pic!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

Miscelena says:

Nicely done, and congrats on getting picked up by ProjectWonderful... probably driving some extra traffic over here! : )
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

MickiP65 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Thru a Window, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

MickiP65 says:

Wonderful composition! It IS a magnificent shot! I love this picture ... so much to look at, but all to tell a single great story!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

sylvsta says:

beautiful shot! the woman looks very happy :)
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

me_ady_blackcat says:

cool shot,I love it!
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

anna ristuccia says:

this picture is so happy
i love it :)
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

arttulip100561 says:

wonderful portrait
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

elizabeth sarah says:

Your fantastic portrait picture is my winner! You deserve another one!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

mmmplee says:

Hi, I'm Editor of Qi magazine. We've chosen your photo as Photo of the Day for Friday, April 4, 2008. Cheers.
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

TravelMuse... says:

This is a great photo! It has been selected to be featured on the new travel Web site TravelMuse. The image appears on our alpha site with attribution to you and a link to your Flickr page, here. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at
photo@travelmuse.com

Thank you, and keep shooting!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

Viral: The Channel [deleted] says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Viral Flickr Wall, and we're trying to make a wall of images far a set on our show. We would love to use this photo on our wall, with your permission of course!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

BecStan says:

Oh, how I love this capture!!! What a wonderful, friendly, soft expression on her face. Excellent!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

somogyibarbara {Sweet15} says:

This picture is Very good, please post it on the
Conversation pieces from around the world .

Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

David Solomons says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Hardcore Pigeon Photography, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Laura Leigh (Benfield) Brittain says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Nothing New, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

ramblinglibrarian says:

Hello, I used it in this music video I put together:
starfishstories.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/musi c-video-one-...
Thanks for sharing this under the CC license.
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

maxswilbert says:

This is excellent! What a treat to see, she looks happy to have a connection to those creatures.

I found this photo because you asked me to Explore My Photostream
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

PAM5555 says:

Hallo, ich bin der Administrator der Gruppe Alt sein und?, und wir würden uns freuen, wenn Du dies zu unserer Gruppe hinzufügen würdest.
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

zak_greant says:

Thanks for sharing this great photo under a Creative Commons license! I used the image as part of a slide deck for a presentation on the future of the net.

You can see the image in context at:

www.slideshare.net/zakgreant/the-age-of-liter ate-machines...

If you'd like a change in attribution, please let me know.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Cliff Michaels says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Faces of Maturity, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

click image for text.
VISIONS, the Flickr blog.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

Bachspics says:

My compliments on your beautiful image!!

I'm the Admin of the The Gallery Of Fine Portrait Photography This is an exceptional photo. I hope you will consider it an honor to place your photo in our gallery of over 5,600 of the best portraits on Flickr by over 2,500 photographers. Please add it to The Gallery Of Fine Portrait Photography Feel free to tag your photo The Gallery Of Fine Portrait Photography.

Please read the guidelines for self-initiated uploads on the front page of the pool before sending self-initiated uploads.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

JasonNunezPhotography.com says:

I love this composition and the smile on her face!
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

change your name says:

)
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

PuppiesAreProzac says:

Great picture! Your photo has been featured at Puppies Are Prozac with attribution on this page: puppiesareprozac.com/human-animal-bond-resear ch/pets-as-l.... Thanks for offering the CC license!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

pondage says:

terrific.....!!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

besfort z says:

wow! great capture!
id hate to be her though!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Claudete Dorocinski says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Kultura Polski (Cultura Polonesa), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Madi (Maw-Dee) says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Old Soul, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

u c c r o w says:

impressive indeed...
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

Agnieszka G. says:

Lovely shot and the whole story ! Well deserved Explore !!!! Congrats !!!!
Seen in www.flickr.com/groups/775688@N22/
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

tara holland says:

beautiful!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

mmatasic says:

This is a great photo. I like the story in it and how the old lady is smiling... :)

I found this photo because you asked me to Explore My Photostream
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

Cerilka says:

I love Kazimierz and I loved this photo!
Amazing capture!
Nice to meet You!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

Raymond Wealthy says:

Great.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

Dan McKechnie says:

This is wonderful.
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

pompey shoes says:

You have definitely done her justice, its a superb shot!

--
Seen in a discussion of Super Hero Challenges. (?)
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

Bogota Colombia says:

nice concept!!

two
Posted 2 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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Taken on April 30, 2007

251 people call this photo a favorite

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The Old Lady and the Birds

Comments

Swami Stream says:

mselderhuis says:

zoom_nudetruth [deleted] says:

from_the_sky says:

Agnieszka says:

*hb19 says:

alvarolg says:

Food Loves Writing says:

Jutilda says:

kind of katia says:

Tina McNeill says:

Little_Ricky says:

iam4ranny says:

neloqua says:

Sandstein says:

Rita Crane Photography *returning soon* says:

Curlylocks says:

Memo Vasquez says:

soylentgreen23 says:

JoseOrpheus says:

© ~VISION~AIRY~ says:

jnconradie says:

wsarettaw [deleted] says:

karolina michalowska says:

Anton Larkin says:

petit_deray says:

Sally Van Natta says:

Alex Kümpel says:

teşrifat says:

suzukichick says:

iamit10 says:

aBuzzi says:

Malena_c says:

Malena_c says:

adrians_art says:

Jenn (ovaunda) says:

Rick Elkins says:

amproshoot says:

OctavioBJ says:

Desired says:

Sergio Lubezky says:

Color-de-la-vida says:

Penny T says:

pardeshi says:

Lord Henry Wotton [deleted] says:

yaaris says:

Sergio Lubezky says:

dr ama says:

Jahner says:

Sandra_R says:

El Inglés says:

Asad K says:

ihtatho says:

RUKnight says:

noviKorisnik says:

Kevin Rochowski says:

Kevin Rochowski says:

VangieBug says:

randa* says:

jenmussari says:

mary.k says:

Miscelena says:

MickiP65 says:

MickiP65 says:

sylvsta says:

me_ady_blackcat says:

anna ristuccia says:

arttulip100561 says:

elizabeth sarah says:

mmmplee says:

TravelMuse... says:

Viral: The Channel [deleted] says:

BecStan says:

somogyibarbara {Sweet15} says:

David Solomons says:

Laura Leigh (Benfield) Brittain says:

ramblinglibrarian says:

maxswilbert says:

Rita Crane Photography returning soon says: