nickeykolev

Should I go there?

The mystical Belogradchik Fortress, build around the natural phenomenon of the Belogradchik Rocks was indeed mystical that day - hidden in the mist...
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The mystical Belogradchik Fortress, build around the natural phenomenon of the Belogradchik Rocks was indeed mystical that day - hidden in the mist
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Jan, 2018

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Awards

Contest Finalist in Moments In Time Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Foggy Times Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in My Escape Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in Looks Mysterious Photo Contest

Contest Finalist in People Hiking Project

Community Choice Award

Contest Finalist in A Walk In The Mist Photo Contest

Peer Award

+39

Top Choice

Superb Composition

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Outstanding Creativity

Absolute Masterpiece

Superior Skill

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Behind The Lens

Location

The photo is taken at one of the most famous Bulgarian landmarks called "Kaleto", which is a medieval fortress, build inside the so called Belogradchik Rocks - a vast area of limestone rocks. The origin of the area is that it was once at the bottom of a sea, which after vaporizing left the whole area with these huge limestone rock clusters. The fortress itself is located in the city of Belogradchik in the north-western part of Bulgaria. A couple of years ago, the Belogradchik Rocks natural phenomenon was nominated as one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

Time

I remember that we were at Belogradchik in the autumn, somewhere in early October. I have never been to the Belogradchik Rocks before that and I really didn't know what to expect. We arrived in the morning and stayed a couple of hours just to wait for the fog to release the beautiful scenery, which can be seen on the top of the rocks, but the fog didn't move much, so I had to wait another couple of years to get back to "Kaleto" to see the majestic beauty surrounding the area.

Lighting

Since the sky was so dark, and no light came from the sun, the scene was actually so mystical and melancholic. The moment that Dessie just stood in front of the entrance was the most dramatic moment I ever captured until now. But it is not only from beneath, but also on the top of the rocks - one can only see what is in front just a couple of meters. A bit scary at some spots as you can see the edge of the cliff, without knowing how high is it.

Equipment

The photo was taken using my old friend Pentax k10 with the kit 17-55 lens, shot by hand.

Inspiration

Those were my first steps with a DSLR and I was actually just starting to find what I like to photograph. I really enjoy photographing people in spontaneous situations, showing a story. The moment I saw Dessie looking at the fortress entrance I had to capture this shot, because it was exactly what I like. Following my photography story I know that such photos are one in a hundred - just being hit by a beautiful composition, on a fantastic location with an interesting mood.

Editing

Despite some composition cropping, contrast and blacks/whites tweaking there's not much post-processing

In my camera bag

It's been a long journey from this day and my loyal Pentax to this very day, when I got my Nikon D610 ready for all those majestic moments to be captured :) While transitioning to the next lens in my bag, for now I'm walking around with the Nikon D610, the two perfect primes from Samyang - 85mm 1.4 and a 14mm 2.8. I always carry a light tripod and a gorilla pod + an ND, Polarizing and some gradient Cokin filters for when I feel playful.

Feedback

"There is Nothing Better than Bad Weather", as a novel from the Bulgarian writer Bogomil Rainov is called. Such weather conditions are so full of chances to build up a mood for a picture, to present a composition with a story behind it. When everything after the first 50-100 meters is hidden from sight, a photographer can unleash his or her imagination and thus capture a scene, which leaves a vast field for the viewer's imagination to fill a whole different story in the frame. I'm still trying, and I encourage everyone to use those scenes, take your time and imagine dragons and witches, headless horse riders and haunted dogs and capture every spot that reminds us of a good story!

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nickeykolev

nickeykolev

Should I go there?

The mystical Belogradchik Fortress, build around the natural phenomenon of the Belogradchik Rocks was indeed mystical that day - hidden in the mist... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow nickeykolev

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The mystical Belogradchik Fortress, build around the natural phenomenon of the Belogradchik Rocks was indeed mystical that day - hidden in the mist...
Read more

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