"Praza das Praterias", July, 1965, a photo from La Coruna, Galicia

Photographer's Note

Another photograph from Santiago de Compostela, taken in July, 1965 during my first venture out of Britain as a tender and callow seventeen year old on a school organised cruise aboard the MS Dunera.

"Praza das Praterias" or "Silversmiths' Square" in Santiago de Compostela lies adjacent to the south side of the famous cathedral and is probably most famous because of the "Fonte dos Cabalos" or "fountain of horses" which resides in the middle of it.

I must have been standing on the steps beside the cathedral and looking south when I took this shot - if you click on Map: view you will be able to see where I was - or check these co-ordinates: 42.880165, -8.544254 .

However, I doubt very much I knew exactly what I was looking at when I took the picture. Perhaps I found that fountain interesting but that is believed by most people nowadays to be a less important structure than the magnificent Chapterhouse which you see beyond it.

This photo was taken as a Kodachrome transparency but I suspect either severe lens flare or else light somehow got into my camera because the central part of this image was quite badly "bleached". Because of that I had to do some work trying to improve the condition of the central parts but the colours suffered very badly and I therefore converted it to black and white. And then I did something of which I normally do not really approve - I selectively brought back some colour in a couple of people and a couple of cars.

I confess that the quality of this photo is pretty miserable but somehow this 55 year old image just seemed to "grow" on me the more I looked at it. I shall be interested to know what you think!

Here is a link to a larger version: https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/48186/img_m5.2742.jpg

lucasgalodoido, pajaran, holmertz, adramad, Royaldevon, jhm, ktanska has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emka (158058) 2020-05-11 18:07

Hello dear John I remember well this fountain with horses and I also have it in my photos. Interesting black and white with some colours here and then, I like this pale blue little car, maybe WVBeetle. Probably your previous picture was taken somewhere behind the two guys.
Take care

MAlgo xx

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2020-05-11 19:04

Hi John,
very interesting this antique scene of square, and I like of the partial desaturation. Good quality too. Great job.
Regards,
Lucas

ifege (47993) 2020-05-11 23:44

Hi John
Beautifully done with the buildings and sculpture desaturated. Great one from 1965.
cheers
Ian

holmertz (102636) 2020-05-12 0:41

Hello John,
It was a nice decision to keep the colours of the lady in red. Otherwise a complete B&W would have been fully enjoyable and made this photo look even older. Somehow the colours of the cars slightly disturb me. But I was happy to read the note and realize that 19 years later I was standing a few steps behind where you had been, taking a photo in the same direction. But of course I had different preferences:

https://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Spain/Galicia/La_Coruna//photo1282559.htm

Kind regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (221493) 2020-05-12 0:54

Ciao caro John, great view of lovely square with beautiful fountain, I like partial desaturation, excellent clarity, spledid lights and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

adramad (72940) 2020-05-12 5:03

Hi John.
I like these old photos with that timeless touch, and they remind us of times past and what has changed everything, the fountain is the same as I remember it and the old stone houses give great personality to this charming square, The parked Seat 600 puts us at the time.
Superb brightness and sharpness.
Well done. I like.
Have a nice week.
Very best regards.
Luis.

Royaldevon (85862) 2020-05-12 6:52

Hello John,

I found it interesting to learn just how determined you were to make this historic photograph worthy of posting and it was really worth the effort. Having changed to b&w, there is no problem with the central parts, and we can still appreciate the colours of your big interest (cars) and enjoy seeing the lady in red!

It doesn't surprise me that you were more interested in the fountain. Most people of your age would have been attracted by it, whereas the building had no movement or sense of life!

For Santiago de Compostela, it has a very tranquil atmosphere, nothing like it seems these days, as attested by the tv programme and by a dear friend who completed the pilgrimage.

I really enjoy seeing these old shots where details of old vehicles and and dress fashions can be observed as well as the generally unrestored buildings.

You did a good job as a teenager to capture details of the fountain and its surrounding area.

AS a sleuth, can you tell what type of car is peeping down the side street?

Keep safe,
Bev :-)

jhm (211736) 2020-05-12 9:36

Hello John,

1965, I was already married four year.
The buildings of the city are pleasant to look at with statue and fountain.
Composition and presentation are excellent done.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards, keep safe,
John.

ktanska (44738) 2020-05-12 11:40

Hi John,
There is something fascinating on this one. Even though selective colouring is not my cup of tea either. But you don't see that too often like some years ago. Dark walls and dark clothes on relatively few passerby create special ambience. Good high viewpoint.
Kari

lousat (139198) 2020-05-12 12:17

Hi John,in fact there is a central spot, but this is also the beauty of old photos, when they could not be seen immediately. The quality of the details is excellent, the mix of colors and blacks and whites is truly amazing, it reminds me a lot of postcards that were colored later starting from a black and white photo. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

GyurMaster (24818) 2020-05-12 13:29

Dear John,

I think that BW conversion was a good idea in this case. The resulting photo is stunning I have to say!

Best Wishes,
Gy.

Tue (92312) 2020-05-12 13:48

Hello John,
An excellent photo! There is so much to see, both the beautiful details of both the fountain and the wonderful faзade behind it as well as the several people walking in different directions and the small light blue car speeding across the small square. The quality is still excellent I think and I like the black & white mixed with just some colour. Really fantastic.
Lars

CLODO (45116) 2020-05-13 2:01

Hi John

The old good times well enhanced by the B&W conversion. Not many cars, only a few people dressed differently than now. I like the soft touch of colours except the woman in red, too vivid for my taste. Not sure there were yellow cars at that time.
I am part of a walking group starting from January 1st called "les amis de Saint Jacques de Compostelle". I do not intend to go there by foot, but walking is a good sport for the "old" people to stay fit.
Have anice day
CLODO