Good, Bad & Ugly, a photo from Olomoucky, Moravia

Photographer's Note

After my long excursion to Turkey in 1971 I steer my time machine back to the age of digital photography. I have so many photos that didn't make it onto the site, often because they seemed so odd that I never quite found the courage to show them. I decided now to try my luck anyway.

"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo) was a so-called Spaghetti Western from 1966, directed by Sergio Leone and starring among others Clint Eastwood. That title came to my mind when thinking of what to call this photo.

The Good is of course the nice young lady, the Bad would be the building in the background, once looking good but now in a state of slow decay. The Ugly could be none other than the nearest building, never looking good and now ridiculously dilapidated.

This is from the Czech city of Olomouc, generally a very nice and photogenic city where I had a most pleasant stay for a couple of days in 2015. But every time I walked past this side street, just off one of the main streets in the old part of the city, I could hardly believe my eyes. How could an abandoned building as ugly as this be allowed to remain in such a potentially precious spot?

I guess this is one of those cases where something looks so desperately ugly that you feel pity for it and reluctantly start to like it. I did.

Here is a larger version.

In a WS you can see the ugly building from around the corner, where it faces the main street.

You can locate this side street, called Akademická, by clicking at the Map: view.

Fis2, jhm, ikeharel, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, johnjmoe, pierrefonds, PiotrF, aliabazari, mcmtanyel, bertolucci, worldcitizen, macjake, jean113, jean113 heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (116915) 2020-02-22 0:21

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepa stara fasada i detalji, lepa arhitektura.
Lepo pokazano sa fotografijom u radionici, dobro uhvacen trenutak.
Lepa ulica i arhitektura, lep deo grada.
Lepa fotografija i secanje.
Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja.

Greeting.
Nice view and moment, interesting and good text ...
Nice old facade and details, nice architecture.
Beautifully shown with a photo in the workshop, well captured moment.
Nice street and architecture, nice part of town.
Beautiful photography and memories.
Have a nice day, all the best for the weekend.

Fis2 (171789) 2020-02-22 0:41

Witaj Gert!
A very curious alley, the wall makes impression.
Nice scene from daily life.
The woman add flavor to this composition.
Have a good weekend.
Krzysztof

jhm (211738) 2020-02-22 1:01

Good morning Gert,

***Reply to your question: yes, I question always to the people for a picture, certainly with children, a difficult theme in Belgium***

Good depth and perspective
Bad the old facade of the wall
Ugly, maybe the windows, not the lady in foreground.
Your pictures have always a good content.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

ChrisJ (172372) 2020-02-22 1:29

Hej Gert

Looks like an uncrowded version of some of the back streets of Prague. But without the tourist trappings and paraphernalia. Good inclusion of the girl for scale, & the street adds perspective. Tfs!

mesutilgim (0) 2020-02-22 2:26

Hello dear Gert,
A typical "those were the days" scenery from Olomouc.
Taken with good pov and sharpness. Many good and usefull notes, perfect graphism.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Royaldevon (86328) 2020-02-22 2:49

Hello Gert,

From both angles, this building is awful, from its dilapidated condition to its boarded up windows. (Though I am sure Craig would enthuse about it!) It is surprising that something in such a state of decay is central to an attractive area. I know, sometimes, you leave something because you are not sure what to do with it and, after a while, you cease to notice it. But councils have a greater responsibilities than individuals at home!

On the plus side, your photograph is a fine example of good composition:a strongly placed focal figure and a curving, guide line that is irresistible.
The textures are undeniably sharp.
There is just a hint of humour. I couldn't help thinking that the road sign, which is out of view of the lady, is intimating that she should be going the opposite way, away from the ghastly building!

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (222747) 2020-02-22 3:07

Ciao Gert, great perspectoive on fascinating ruined building. I like WS too, lovely composition with walking woman, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (115408) 2020-02-22 4:46

Hi Gert,

The presence of the woman is animating the scene. The point of view is showing the details of the different type of buildings. The light is enyhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

CLODO (45118) 2020-02-22 7:22

Hi Sergio!!!

Good perspective of the houses walls in decay, the young lady doesn't care and look carefully at the cobblestone inorder to avoid to fall (check her shoes!)
Best regards
CLODO

Tue (93296) 2020-02-22 7:36

Hej Gert,
Nåh, så grim er bygningen i forgrunden nu heller ikke, skønt den jo har brug for lidt mere kærlighed. Men de gamle mursten danner et smukt mønster med også nogle rødlige farver i kombination med det gamle, slidte graffiti. Jeg synes faktisk bygningen i baggrunden er værre. :-)
Lars

jmdias (116307) 2020-02-22 11:13

gert

the building itself isn't bad, of course it should be restored.it isn't a palace, but restored could be like a frame to the most beautiful architecture of the town. nice use of the personage.

take care

jorge

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-02-22 12:00

Gert, the lonely lady animates the scene. She contrasts with the wall covered with scribbles. The primer is damaged, the bricks show. A dilapidated wall can be seen in the bg too. Fine colors, good sharpness, interesting photo note, regards.

lousat (139906) 2020-02-22 15:20

Hi Gert,excellent idea to combine this photo with the film by Sergio Leone, a must when we were young and obviously very famous in Italy. The photo from the old heart of Olomuc is really beautiful, and also the one in the WS is remarkable with the scenery of the walls and old posters, pity only for the no-stop sign. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

PiotrF (55822) 2020-02-22 15:58

Hello Gert,
You showed nicely this ruined building in Olomouc in two photos. I like perfect exposure, nice colours and fine composition.
Nice work, fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

aliabazari (23115) 2020-02-22 20:06

Hi dear friend Gert
You may not think this photo is very good, but I see a familiar intimacy with the young woman in this old alley. The old alleys have lots of love stories. Well seen

mcmtanyel (69063) 2020-02-22 21:15

Hello Gert,
My answer to such buildings is always the same: "Renovate!" I'd hate to see it torn down to make way for another soulless high rise. 👍🏻👍🏻
Regards,
MT

ifege (49257) 2020-02-22 21:41

Hi Gert
You are harsh in your assessment.
Battered old building like this add character to old cities. A good photo of contrasts.
cheers
Ian

Nicou (193814) 2020-02-22 22:10

Hello

quelle scène de rue et compo fantastique quelle dame dans ce décor et ces contraste entre le sol en gris sombres cet immense mur de pierre à gauche quel rendu sur ce mur et les autres façades superbe ensemble
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

bertolucci (14052) 2020-02-23 2:14

Hej Gert, the weathered and blind facade should be put in a meuseum, it's a fascinating study in abandonment ;-) And it form s a great backdrop for the lady, who seems to keep her distance from it. I like it a lot ! Kind regards, Bert.

kordinator (8738) 2020-02-23 3:14

Dear Gert
An interesting name for photography.
You are not mistaken for having a heart set, and I would like to focus on the beautiful.
It's a beautiful girl, with textures, a contrast of old and new architecture.
Auxiliary photography is also nice and interesting.
Kind regards
Saša

worldcitizen (16226) 2020-02-23 8:24

Hello Gert,
For me, certain grunge can still be beautiful. Although this building doesn't fit in with others in the area, on its own it has a certain creepy charm, especially the boarded-up windows. The woman was captured at just the right spot, too.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2020-02-23 10:48

Hi dear Gert

Whenever I see your new posting, I always comfirm when that shot is or was taken. This one was just 4.5 years ago, yes beacsude this lady is so high sense and modern. Tasty blocky walls as main subject is best match with this attractive lady.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

macjake (98544) 2020-02-23 17:27

Hi Gert
First thoughts are...glad you cropped the shot to include the blue sign, thats important. Second that is...when I travel around Europe, i see SOOOOO many buildings with the exact same exterior styling as the one in the far bg. Everywhere I went in Poland I kept thinking I"m seeing the same building, same with Czech Rep, and several other European large cities...perhaps its just their 'style'. So my whole point is, i like that old crusted building as it gives the street some life - ironic bc the building is dead.
cheers
Craig

emka (158672) 2020-02-24 0:01

Hello Gert, I thought at first that it is a photo from Bratislava. There are similar view s in the centre. This building is ugly but there some trekkers that would find it fascinating :). Excellent composition, funny to see the woman going in the opposite direction of the sign. Olomouc is famous of the Trinity Column listed on UNESCO. I haven't seen it and I plan to go there one day. Have you seen it?

Kind regards MAlgo

jean113 (28221) 2020-02-24 7:30

Hello Gert, I don't find this building at all ugly. It has character! But I can understand your thoughts too.
I like its textures.
A good title, that captures our imaginations.
An excellent composition.
You were fortunate that the young woman came by.
Kind regards, Jean.

GyurMaster (24996) 2020-02-25 14:47

Hello again,

This time too, you didn't disappoint me with your pick! Why others wouldn't even bother taking this photo, you did! If for nothing else, for this beautiful czech girl it worth it! Joking apart, I recently visited Bratislava (Slovakia), and experienced something similar: while being a beautiful historical city and a popular tourist destination, some of its parts look like this. - Disappointing.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

kasianowak (17676) 2020-04-18 9:53

The two images are connected not just by the building falling into disrepair but also the presence of one person and one road sign in each. The road signs add colour (nicer than the artwork in the WS shot), the people are the only sign of life, which gives the place a spooky appearance.
I like your playing with the title of that movie. Funny enough, I recently watched it for the very first time...