It is known that I have a passion for the sea and for a certain place where I consume my longing. I don't want to seem arrogant to think that I am so well known, but I rely on the fact that I have written hundreds of blogs about the Black Sea and the resort of Balchik, Bulgaria.
Balchik is a small town with a long history. Although I now go there and live in the present, the city's past is more important.
I can only imagine the past in black and white, so I try to see it through black-and-white photographs. Sometimes, I manage to believe that my photograph is a hundred years old.
As much as I would like to, I cannot avoid the modern aspects that appear in the frame, but many times they integrate and do not spoil the image.
The most famous inhabitant of Balchik was Queen Maria of Romania. It seems strange that a queen of a country should live in another country, Bulgaria. The explanation comes from history, this part of Bulgaria, called Cadrilater, belonged to the kingdom of Romania for almost 40 years.
These stone armchairs were favored by the queen when she was resting and watching the sea.
The first walk I took along the waterfront when evening was near, brought me close to the locals and tourists mingling on a pontoon near the harbor.
I love to see and discover what the locals do in the seaside towns I visit. Tourists don't interest me much but I am fascinated by the locals.
There are some tourists, I was once the same, who in their vacation program, they use to fish for pleasure and who have a problem because they don't know what to do with the fish caught.
With the locals, however, it's a different story. They fish to eat, for them, fishing has the same value as it did hundreds of years ago and is not a pastime.
Tourists, on the other hand, walk around and watch. Some see something and understand and others don't...
I like to watch. The seascape is breathtaking. Some images haunt me all winter when the sea is hundreds of kilometers away.
This is my entry for the #monomad challenge.
The photos taken on the sea area are superb, especially seeing how the people are fishing in the place, also, the view of the water is great 🥰🙏
Thank you!
You are welcome
The seascape is beautiful for photography and is like a magnet for some of us. It attracts us both artistically and emotionally. This place is wonderful to capture moments and you have done great.
Thanks for what you said, my amateurism needs encouragement!
True postcards, the black and white gives them a particular style. The first one is my favourite! Big hug!
Thank you! The comparison with postcards honors me.
🤗🤗
I see these photographs and I see the tranquility that these people transmit with the sea.
I didn't think of that, thanks for the observation.
It's so interesting the views near the docks... look at all those little boats on the shore, I can imagine myself walking along, taking pictures, understanding or maybe not... 😅
I wonder if Queen Maria of Romania had a cushion to sit there? 😁
Most of those boats belonged to fishermen, more for work than relaxation. It's possible that the queen had a cushion to sit there, but perhaps she didn't and wanted to enjoy the warmth stored in the stone, haha...
Thank you!