Steps in Talinn, a photo from Harjumaa, West

Photographer's Note

These are a beautifull steps in Tallinn, called "Lьhike Jalg" or "Short Leg" (according to the most recent corrections) and it runs parallel to the "Pikk Jalg", or the "Long Leg" street that used to be the main street (and the longest street) of medeival Tallinn, connecting Toompea with the old port.

The day when the pic was taken was rather claudy, rainy and cold, and it was already June...so think of how I felt taking pictures. Moreover, I was a real beginner at that time, as I think I had my camera only for 15 days, so you will have to excuse a little bluriness which was caused by the a very long exposure. I tried to make pics a bit better in PS, desaturated it and added some sharpness. Anyhow, the intention was to show you a little detail of Tallinn, which is for me the second pretiest city in Europe...after my Dubrovnik of course (we Croatians are thought every day that Dubrovnik is the nicest...so nothing comes close, but Tallinn is closest)! If you haven't visited Tallinn yet...do it ASAP, and you would be able to spend "thousands" of GB's of memory on it!

To see the corrected image click here

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Critiques | Translate

delnaja (2056) 2005-10-24 14:28

great perspective. I ilke the composition as well

richtersl (3546) 2005-10-24 17:48

Very nice photo, Alan, with the steps leading the eye straight to the gate at the top. B&W was a good choice.

I believe the name of this street is "Pikk Jalg", which means "Long Leg". I'm hoping one of the locals will be able to confirm that.

riaan (86) 2005-10-25 15:40

great shot! love the perspective, and the choice of black and white is also great.
thanks for sharing.

kiviloe (41) 2005-10-26 5:32

If this photo would be sharp, it would be perfect caption of this scene. But I do totally understand ones difficulties of getting used to new camera so I don't hold the blurriness against you:)
The street is actually called "Lьhike Jalg" or Short Leg and it runs almost in parallel with "Pikk Jalg" that used to be main street (and the longest street) of medeival Tallinn, connecting Toompea with the old port.

Tynu (72) 2005-10-26 7:51

Hi, Alan!
Sure, Dubrovnik is nice. I was there in 1988.
On this picture is Lьhike Jalg /Short Leg/, and it was used only by pedestrians, the tower was built in 15. cent.
(Up to the 17. cent Pikk Jalg was the only way/street between Toompea and downtown)

IaKoop (819) 2005-11-08 12:16

When I tell people about Estonia, the country of my forefathers, I always mention Pikk Jalg and Lьhike Jalg for their simplicity in naming. I also talk about Vдike Muna Mдgi (Small Egg Hill) and Suur Muna Mдgi (Large Egg Hill) for the same reason. I like to imagine a people who had no need for fancy terms to describe simple things.

As for the photo, I like it a lot. I am not bothered by the lack of sharpness, perhaps because of the B&W grainy feel. The contrast and composition are good and work off each other, with the stairs leading my eye from the dark lower right to the comparatively bright upper left. Very well done, especially the PP work to make the best of what you described as a less-than-ideal shot.