The art of compromise, a photo from Hania, Crete

Photographer's Note

In the foreground of this picture, you can see a fragment of the outdoor exhibition of the Maritime Museum of Crete, located along the Venetian Harbour in Chania. Further behind you see one of the lovely little streets which you can explore off the harbour.

I spent in Chania town half a day, which was again not enough for my photographic appetite. I did not manage to get there in the evening neither. When I am alone and have more time, I can explore more little streets and search for great points of view and creative angles. By doing that of course you risk that some of the places will require a lot of walking on the very hot day sometimes for nothing. This is not something what my daughter would enjoy. For her the fact that we have left the amazing pool next to the hotel was already a crime and even walking the picturesque Venetian Harbour required a lot of motivation with ice cream or by browsing shops. I do enjoy an ice cream myself as well and I have to admit I bought a great photo album on Crete in one of those shops, but I would simply love to get lost in those little streets for a bit longer� However, in the end I am happy I could enjoy this wonderful place with my family. I remember times when I visited other beautiful places by myself. It was a very strange feeling, I really wanted to have someone with me to share the moment and simply to be able to say: 泥on稚 you think this is beautiful!� So even though it costs more and requires difficult compromises, I really enjoy traveling with someone I love by my side.

It reminds me a period of my life when I was depressed. My wife to cheer me up bought me a book titled 滴ow to be happier?� I started to read it and in the very introduction the author wrote something like: It is easy to become happy, but you must be absolutely sure that this is what you want. Your happiness must be more important to you than people you love, your career, your health etc� After this introduction I did not read further. Yes, I know how to focus on short term pleasures but giving up something may give you more happiness and deeper fulfilment. I suppose it depends on your priorities.

Royaldevon, ikeharel, jhm, Fis2, jean113, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, PaulVDV, ChrisJ, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Royaldevon (86328) 2020-12-14 3:50

Hello Mariusz,

You must lament not spending longer in Chania, for it is a very beautiful place with hidden photographic opportunities.
My lament is that I was not into photography when we were there!

I like how you have anchored the f/g (forgive the pun!) because, for me, this immediately gives f/g interest and an excellent sense of depth to what is on offer beyond. You show us what looks like a sundial, with the anchor showing its prowess in the m/g, followed by the pretty, balconied properties in the b/g. They are all neatly linked across the frame.

Have a lovely week,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (222747) 2020-12-14 4:54

Ciao Mariusz, lovely composition with excellent perspective, good clarity, splendid light, fine details and wonderful colors, very well done, myfriend, ciao Silvio

jhm (211738) 2020-12-14 5:42

Hello Mariusz,

Your picture became very good made.
The anchor and statue become perfect showed.
The picture show much detail of the city in background
Lovely presentation, out of an excellent angle.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Fis2 (171789) 2020-12-14 6:41

Czesc Mariusz!
Interesujacy zaulek, ladny zegar sloneczny, kotwica z lancuchem i ciekawa architektura w tle.
Udana kompozycja kadru, duzo zmiesciles.
Dobre swiatlo i kolorki.
Podoba si�.
Milego popoludnia.
Krzysztof

lousat (139906) 2020-12-14 11:49

Hi Mariusz,in fact the introduction of the book seems a rather selfish discourse, it is always better to reconcile one's needs with the needs of the family. Your daughter gave up on the pool, and you a few more hours of photo hunting. Beautiful photo, as always you always manage to concentrate many things in a single image. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Tue (93296) 2020-12-14 13:31

Hello Mariusz,
It is a very nice and appealing corner in this town. The sundial and the large anchor are well placed in the square in the foreground and the houses make a good backdrop, seen in a fine sunlight also.
Lars

jmdias (116307) 2020-12-14 13:37

mariusz

dealing with children in the holidays there are ever limitations and with whole family too.
a nice slice of the place here where we can see a sun dial and some architecture.

take care
jorge

ifege (49257) 2020-12-14 18:44

Hi Mariusz
We spent a week in Hania in 1998 but didn't come across this museum so I'm thinking that it has only opened since then I just checked and it opened in 1973 (we somehow missed it). An interesting looking outdoor collection.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (117652) 2020-12-14 22:46

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
photo with great lightness
and full of impressive details
this exhibition must be unique...
i red that this place we see here
is a fragment of the outdoor
exhibition
of the Maritime museum of rete
thanks for your useful
notes as always of course...
regards
costantino

jemaflor (148094) 2020-12-14 23:02

Hi Mariusz,
Nice view, pleasant sunlight and good frame with depth effect, interesting artwork, interesting note, tfs.

ikeharel (114435) 2020-12-15 0:56

Hello Mariusz,
This museum is one intriguing corner near the bay of Hania, placed in a wonderful corner and has several interesting objects for photography.
I adore sundials, like windmills it represents ancient wisdom by people in older eras to use nature to their benefit.
A fine photo, as always, town houses on the backdrop added good sense of depth.
My cong.s,
Ike

PaulVDV (63432) 2020-12-15 8:18

Hello Mariusz,
At first I thought this photo was taken somewhere in Central or Northern Greece, given the architecture of the building at the very back.
In my distant memory, Crete looked different. But I was never in Hania.
With the objects from the Maritime Museum on the foreground you present us here a nice photo consisting of very different elements.
I find the introduction of the book about being happy very strange ...
I've always heard that the people you love, your job (not necessarily a career) and your health are the three pillars that make a person's happiness.
Fortunately, you closed the book after the introdcution.
Best regards, Paul

ChrisJ (172372) 2020-12-21 0:00

Hello Mariusz,

I enjoyed Chania more than Heraklion, perhaps because there were no 5 star luxury cruise ships moored there. The people that come off those boats are often pushy, loud and brash. Even the locals are not keen on them because they eat on board in pre paid package meals, are tightfisted with their spending money and don't bring in a lot of income. In fact locals often have to pay to clean up the mess they leave behind ashore. Not all cruise passengers are like this of course, but enough to cause problems. Tfs!

adramad (73376) 2020-12-25 4:03

Hello Mariusz.
I was wondering what all this was before reading your note, now everything is located, a charming composition with all these marine objects from the museum exposed in the open air, with a beautiful background of the color of the facades of the houses, along with the green of plants and trees.
Point of view, sharpness, lightness, color and the chosen composition are excellent.
A very beautiful photo. I like it.
May you enjoy this atypical Christmas, together with your loved ones, with caution.
Very affectionate greetings.
Luis.