Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Photogenic Perfection of Prague..........

Prague has to be one of the most beautifully picturesque cities in the whole of Europe always requiring multiple return visits. I first went shortly after the Velvet Revolution in 1991 when there was still no such thing as private enterprise, marketing consisted of three tins stacked in a pyramid in a shop window, and you had to eat at lunchtime otherwise the food would have all run out. Supermarkets were stocked with aisles and aisles of pickled gherkins and Bohemian champagne, but there was no fresh fruit or vegetables in sight, and every morning we played Russian roulette with the eggs - only one out of six was ever edible. Only trabants and skodas were on the roads................Oh how times have changed!! (and obviously in many ways for the better)








Now on my fourth visit this summer almost twenty years later, it seems all very reminiscent of the film "Goodbye Lenin" as I gaze in wonderment at this chic cosmopolitan upmarket city with fresh strawberries and grapes stacked on every stall, extremely efficient tourist infrastructure including Skoda tours of the Old Town, and restaurants ranging the entire International gamut from Indian to Thai. Of course there is more than a hint of nostalgia for times gone by as I wander around camera in hand trying to decide which suits Prague best - monochrome, sepia or colour?? What do you think??

Are some cities more photogenic than others or is it simply in the hands and eye of the photographer??

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17 comments:

Hey Harriet said...

I'd love to visit Prague. I'm not sure which works better...sepia, B&w or colour? I enjoyed all the photos!

BBE said...

My memories of Prague are always in colour, it is such a colourful city.

This post reminded me of a very memorable trip through Central Europe during the dying days of Communism, in 1992. The night train crossing of the border from Czechoslovakia (as it still was then) into Poland was one of the most disturbing memories of my life and is still burned into my mind.

BBE

Crafty Green Poet said...

Your photo collages are wonderful...

Some cities are more photogenic than others. For me, Regensburg and Dresden are the most photogenic cities in Germany for example, Edinburgh the most photogenic city in Scotland.... i've never been to Prague....

Catherine said...

Harriet and Crafty - Prague is well worth putting on your travel wish list!!
BBE - tell me more about that train trip!!

Maria Berg said...

I like color best!!

from London living and working in Mexico City and having photos from Prag!

/MB

Sarah said...

Lovely shots of Prague. I have not been there and would love to. I also love that installation in the post below. I always think it is a shame when those sorts of exhibitions come to the end of their run. Glad you had fun back in South East London-I see you went to all the top spots!

Catherine said...

Sarah and Maria-thanks for the comments...and would highly recommend a trip to Prague...

Fly Girl said...

Prague has been at the top of my European travel list for a long time. I think that colour doesn't suit Prague's old world charm, I like monochrome. I definitely think that some cities are just more picturesque than others Florence just brims with photo ops.

BBE said...

I might blog about some of my old travels in the winter, when Northern Europe is a bit damp and drab. I am a bit wary of suffering from "Fisherman's Tales" though. I have noticed how the attack dogs of the Czech border guards get a little bit bigger, every time I tell some one about that border crossing. Time exaggerates memories.

BBE

James said...

Very interesting stuff, I've been wanting to visit Prague for almost 20yrs but it never seems to happen. Now I'm glad I waited but I think I'll go in the next couple of years.
Thanks for the great pictures and over all outstanding post.

chrome3d said...

Never been there but you make it seem so appealing. Sepia works really well.

Indrani said...

Interesting collages. Prague is so colorful. I hope I can visit the place some day.

magiceye said...

such a wonderful city indeed! looks good in color,b&w and sepia!

SandyCarlson said...

Photogenic is the word! What a beautiful place.

Arija said...

I'm with you there, Prague is perfection!

Anonymous said...

What fantastic shots! I like them all.

I believe that all cities are photogenic - given the right kind of photographer.

Pat said...

I like the sepia-toned photos of the gothic (?) buildings. What a change capitalism has brought to the Czech Republic! It is a vibrant, beautiful city.