Thursday 5 March 2009

Skywatch: Don't Walk!

The Cours Saleya has three lovely archways that open onto a sublime view of the promenade, the palm trees and the Mediterranean and in all of them the eye is distracted by all the paraphenalia of urban life: the concrete bollards, the traffic lights, the information panel. I understand why these things have to be there I just don't understand why they have to be so ugly....
(The Victorians would have done it better)

Visit the world's skies over at the Sky Watch site..

32 comments:

Catherine said...

Yes, Angela, I understand your feeling. A kind of visual pollution.

What I particularly like in this picture is the impression that crossing the road, one can fall directly in the sea. For who ignores that there's a beach below ....
Color and light are in harmony. It was raining ?

angela said...

Catherine: visual pollution is a good description. It hadn't rained but the streets had been washed down because of carnival.

Guy D said...

Fantastic photo, awesome view.

Have a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Anonymous said...

What a lovely composition. I wonder how long you had to wait for the cyclist to appear?

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

Despite the traffic light and signs it's a pretty place.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful shot!

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

Beautiful photo and composition.

Lene said...

This one is cool, beautiful and different!! Love it :)

Happy weekend :)

Lene said...

This one is cool, beautiful and different!! Love it :)

Happy weekend :)

George Townboy said...

Beautiful view, awesome photo.

Viva Victorians!

GMG said...

Hi Angela!
Sorry, I couldn’t visit you for the last two weeks! I’m trying to catch-up and see the wonders you have around!
Love these blues!!
The Flower Market series is excellent, and your glass theme picture is awesome!
Lovely criss-cross!

Meanwhile, one of the most beautiful Forts in India waits you and your comments at Blogtrotter: – The Amber Fort! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

B SQUARED said...

I agree. We have the same problem here.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful and serene photo. Wish I was there.

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Angela: Just visiting your site for the first time and loving it! Nothing beats a promenade, but I agree, the Victorians would have done better.

Anonymous said...

And if they're not cluttered, we can't always get to them because someone owns the property. Some of the things that should be public accessible aren't. It's not fair.

I like this shot. :-)

Olivier said...

belle composition et belle lumière sur la ville.
nice composition and nice light on the city.

Jill said...

Nice skywatch. I did also for the first time.

magiceye said...

seems icy cold.....brrrr

Jane Hards Photography said...

I'm with you on the architecture, no imagination these days. As for the image though this is sublime. from the cyclist to the pastels and horizon this really is a knockout.

Hilda said...

Very true. Environment designer will love you for this post!

Awesome view though. Love the baby pink and blue sky.

Small City Scenes said...

Yes, the modern day trappings get in the way of the natural beauty. MB

Lilli & Nevada said...

What a great place to ride and enjoy the water

chrome3d said...

The best modern public design is made in France. It´s true, believe it, I know what I´m talking about. That view is so clean and organized.

Louise said...

You are right about the Victorians. But I like your photo. It is soothing and cool.

Arija said...

I'm with you there. Call me oldfashioned but Brighton Pier is one thing, a proliferation of signs and concrete to trip over is not the best way to keep the population curbed. You cannot keep everyone in cotton wool all the time, Darwinia selection takes place anyway.
I like the gentle tonings of your sunrise.

SandyCarlson said...

That is a wonderful silouette

Steve Buser said...

I'd call this a longing shot. I'm longing to drop what I am doing and take a stroll along the seafront.

Rob said...

I guess it is cost effective to build sterile ugly informational posts in our urban areas. Still, a pretty view of the sea!

Mary C said...

angela, isn't it amazing how man can muck up nature's beauty? I love your comment about the Victorians could have done it better. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on my Skywatch.

Delphine said...

But I think they look great together, Man, nature, and man's creations-bike-billboard-pavement-road etc.etc It's complete.

Saretta said...

Lovely combination of stillness and movement!

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

Great capture. The colors over the water with the motion of the bike are excellent. And you are correct, the bollards could be much more artistic in design. I am glad you enjoyed my collage of farmer market photos on my website. I really enjoyed your flower market series. I am signing up as a follower of you site so I look forward to seeing more great photos.