Sunday 31 August 2008

Lonely Guest at Yellow's

GRD, f2.4, 1/400, ISO 200, JPG

My short trip to Germany is over so I am back at the airport. While waiting for the flight to board I've been walking around taking some pictures.
I like the colors and light from this bar at Cologne/Bonn Airport. Since this airport is never really busy there is a quite serene feel about the place, especially in the late afternoon and evening.
While I love flying, I don't like airports and especially wasting time at them. Going through all the security checks is a pain and takes ages without really doing much for security anyway. Most airports are modern, big and bright but also cold and without character. It is always a rush through or a long wait, never really relaxing.
It is great to see old movies where airports resemble a train station where you wait for your flight and then just walk to your plane. I know this is not possible anymore but it's a nice reminder of what once was possible.

7 comments:

  1. I have the same feeling regarding airport security. Have you watched George Carlin's You Are All Diseased? Here is the clip about airport security: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6qdH8iji5o. Hilarious!

    I also don't like the modern airport designs. The Siem Reap airport (http://www.cambodia-airports.com/siemreap/en/) in Cambodia is the best I've been.

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  2. Thanks for the links Mike.
    Have just checked out the Airport in Cambodia and it's fantastic. I always wanted to go there and now even more so :).
    Need to watch the video when I'm home and have sound.

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  3. Hi Cristian
    Hope you had a nice weekend break.

    I'm surprised you were allowed to photograph inside the airport.

    Two weeks ago we went to Holland, took the Euro Star to avoid all the airport hassle - I think there is a direct rail link between Brussels to Colonge, worth trying.

    Now you are back in London, keep an on Boris :)

    I wrote in my blog how difficult it is to photograph in Wales - I forgot to mention the rain, I'll have to get an underwater camera. :(

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  4. Cristian, this is a very nice take and makes me feel like home. When you come the next time to Cologne, tell me and we can take a photo-walk in the city... ;)

    Yesbuts, I think that the people at Cologne Airport are somewhat more relaxed, as there is never too much movement. Anyway, taking pictures with the GRD is even less "disturbing" to the security guys, as I think they will see travellers doing it all day long. If you take out a bis DSLR you might run into trouble a lot easier, I´m afraid. :(

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  5. Thanks Yesbuts, the break was very nice. Hope you are enjoying your break from the big city in the more relaxed atmosphere of Wales. Judging from your pictures you do :).

    I took the Eurostar to Brussels and ICE to Cologne once but while nice, it is just too expensive. All the environmentalists should put pressure on train companies to reduce their ridiculous prices. If a train tickert costs 3x as much as a plane ticket, guess which transport 99% of the people will take.

    As mentioned on my GRD III wishlist, a weatherproof camera should be standard now under the serious compacts. Hope the manufacturers listen.

    DLC, I will be in Cologne for Photokina on the 26th and maybe 27th of September. We can meet at Photokina or afterwards in town.

    It is true that people at Cologne airport are more relaxed but using a small camera never causes any problems at airports and in waiting lounges even using dSLRs won't cause any problems. Only photographing in security areas and in immigration will get you into problems if you make it too obvious.

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  6. A great photograph Cristi. Despite the fact it looks clean and quite it shows great sense for form and figure.

    I won't get close to the airport on September 24. I will be going by ICE to Cologne from Arnhem.

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  7. Thanks Wouter, I like the form and colors of this bar. Has a nice feel to it.

    The ICE is the best way to get to Cologne from where you are, I would also rather take it than the plane.

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