Remembrance Poppy, a photo from Denizli, Aegean

Photographer's Note

This picture shows ruins of Hierapolis in the present day Turkey adjacent to more famous Pamukkale. You can read more about the location at the end of this note.

It is again this time of the year when people in the UK start wearing red poppies. You can read more about the concept in the excerpt from Wikipedia below. I think it is a beautiful tradition. Obviously soldiers not always die fighting for the noble causes, but even if so I don’t think it is their fault. I think the concept is to celebrate the people who sacrificed their lives or veterans. I doubt anybody actually celebrates the war itself.

My father remembers the World War II and he told me that he remembers at first German soldiers, poor scared hungry young boys coming to their house to get some food. Later again it was Russian poor scared hungry young boys. Although they were formally both aggressors and occupants, my father always talks about them with a great compassion.

In Poland red poppies are also a symbol related to the war and also because of a military song: “Red Poppies on Monte Cassino”. It was composed in relation to the Battle of Monte Cassino. It was one of the important battles of WWII. Wikipedia says: In early 1944 a German stronghold, dug in at the ancient Benedictine monastery atop Monte Cassino, had blocked the Allies' advance toward Rome. The forces of several Allied countries had attempted since mid-January to capture the German fortress. For a fourth major assault, which would begin on 11 May 1944, Polish troops were rotated in. On 18 May 1944, the day following the song's composition, the Poles stormed and captured the precincts of the Monte Cassino monastery.
It was supposedly a bloody massacre on a field with red poppies. They have won but not many have survived.

Remembrance poppy is an artificial flower that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war, and represents a common or field poppy, Papaver rhoeas. Inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" they were first adopted by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers killed in that war (1914–1918). They were then adopted by military veterans' groups in parts of the British Empire.
The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal has caused some controversy, with some—including British Army veterans—arguing that it has become excessive, is being used to marshal support behind British military campaigns, and that public figures are pressured to wear poppies.

Hierapolis (Ancient Greek: Ἱεράπολις, lit. "Holy City") was an ancient city located on hot springs in classical Phrygia in southwestern Anatolia. Its ruins are adjacent to modern Pamukkale in Turkey and currently comprise an archaeological museum designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The hot springs have been used as a spa since the 2nd century BC, with many patrons retiring or dying there. The large necropolis is filled with sarcophagi, most famously that of Marcus Aurelius Ammianos, which bears a relief depicting the earliest known example of a crank and rod mechanism.
The great baths were constructed with huge stone blocks without the use of cement and consisted of various closed or open sections linked together. There are deep niches in the inner section, including the bath, library, and gymnasium.

papagolf21, ikeharel, snunney, jhm, bukitgolfb301, Fis2, ChrisJ, alvaraalto, adramad, mcmtanyel, macjake, COSTANTINO, maloutim ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

lousat (138655) 2018-10-31 3:02

Hi Mariusz,a beautiful view of Hierapolis ruins in springtime,an excellent way to take a pic there and to talk about the poppies in your interesting note. What your father told you is like what my mother told me,there was an old german soldier always looking for food in our home. I hope just that these times never come back. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

papagolf21 (152605) 2018-10-31 3:07

Bonjour, cher Marius,
Je suis un grand mateur d'architecture, ici, je suis comblé à travers cette superbe prise de vue.
Merci pour la note d'accompagnement toujours aussi intéressante.
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

BennyV (34746) 2018-10-31 3:29

HEllo Mariusz

Meaningful combination of picture and personal touch in the note. That's one great post. Thanks!

Benny

snunney (130967) 2018-10-31 3:44

Hello Mariusz,
Strange seeing these red poppies amidst the ancient ruins but very appropriate for the time of year. The composition is well considered and benefits from excellent colour contrasts and superb clarity. Interesting and thought provoking notes.

Tue (91612) 2018-10-31 4:50

Hello Mariusz,
Obviously not only in Flanders fields the poppies grow, also among the the ancient ruins in Turkey. A great photo and a suitable time of year to post it. When I was in England last week, I already noticed many people wearing the poppies. The composition is very well-balanced here and you had a lovely light.
Lars

notrap (7812) 2018-10-31 5:36

Excellent note and a photo with perfect composition.
Kind regards!

Sergiom (117241) 2018-10-31 6:35

Bonjour Mariusz,

J'aime beaucoup la construction de cette image. Les ruines sont toujours très photogéniques, mais ici elles profitent de la présence des fleurs rouges qui agrémentent l'ensemble.

Amicalement

Serge

jhm (211734) 2018-10-31 6:56

Hello Mariusz,

An excellent way to take a pic there and to talk about the poppies in your interesting note.
Poppies are in Flanders a symbol of the Great WAR. 14-18
A beautiful image of the ruins.
Lovely composition and nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

Royaldevon (85638) 2018-10-31 7:59

Hello Mariusz,

Your notes are very moving, especially the description of the young soldiers, by your grandfather!
Somehow, poor innocents seem to bear the brunt of decisions made by power-hungry politicians or military!

Those bright red poppies do have a powerful presence in your photograph.
Though the building is in ruins, the poppies are still growing and thriving.
A fine composition accentuates your photograph.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Cricri (176) 2018-10-31 10:55

HI Mariusz
Belle lumière qui permet d'apprécier les moindres détails des pierres, l'angle de prise, la petite ouverture au fond sous un ciel extra, le top les fleurs rouges se mariant bien avec le gris des ruines
Amitiés
cricri

mesutilgim (0) 2018-10-31 12:34

Hello Mariusz,
Amazing capture from my beloved country.
It has many many cultural heritages and of course Hieropolis is one of the most interesting.
Many interesting and usefull notes makes your entry a perfect TE entry.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2018-10-31 17:52

Hi Bonjour dear Mariusz

Widefocus appraoch makes so sharp and clear prsenation from front to rear perfectly. The regacy tells so much nostalgy to us. Red wildflowers are so nice accnet too.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

Nicou (193806) 2018-10-31 20:39

Hello

Avec la touche de coquelicots en premer plan quel sitre archéologique quelle iamge et vue sueprbe captage ces ruines le rendu sur la pierre quelle vue sueprbe.
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

ifege (47013) 2018-10-31 21:04

Hi Mariusz
A good photo from Hierapolis with the poppies providing good contrast. Red popies are also big in Australia but due to the time of year they tend to be mainly artificial ones.
cheers
Ian

emka (157280) 2018-11-01 0:18

cześc Mariusz,

Śliczne te czerwone maczki, ale sa chyba naturalne. Bardzo ładne zdjecie z Hierapolis. Super ostrośc i kolorki.
Twój ojciec pamięta II wojnę światową? Był niemlody, kiedy sie urodziłeś.

Pozdrawiam MAłgorzata

CLODO (45116) 2018-11-01 0:48

Hi Mariusz

I like the low PoV to focus on the old wall inhabited by a few poppies giving some colors to the landscape. The remnants of the building with the portals and walls recall us that a long time ago without the technologies we have today, people were good enough to design and built such buildings which lasted centuries.
Cheers
CLODO

Silvio1953 (220665) 2018-11-01 2:33

Ciao Mariusz, great perspective on fascinating ruines , lovely composition with poppies in FG, excellent clarity, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Fis2 (169791) 2018-11-01 2:38

Czesc Mariusz!
Piekne miejsce, ruiny imponujace.
Lubie takie klimaty.
Ladny kadr, kolory i ostrosc.
Podoba sie.
Milego dnia.
Krzysztof

ChrisJ (171280) 2018-11-01 5:20

Hi Mariusz,

May is definitely a better time to visit. It was 37c when I was there in July and the heat haze made it difficult to get any decent shots. The red poppies certainly add a welcome splash of colour. Tfs!

ikeharel (112475) 2018-11-01 6:16

Hi Mariusz,
The red poppys gave the extra missing color to the ruins picture.
Ancient places excavated are always intriguing photography mission, which you show here in fine manner: depth and clarity with good light management.
Good afternoon,
Ike

carlo62 (81265) 2018-11-01 14:58

Ciao Mariusz
i papaveri nascono e muoiono ogni anno, mentre queste pietre sono qui da molti anni.
I punti rossi rendono più interessanti queste rovine.
Saluti
Carlo

alvaraalto (42804) 2018-11-02 7:16

Hello Mariusz,
You did make a nice link here with the rich English tradition of the Poppy that you indeed see on every jacket or dress placed during this time. But here in the wild, the red colour is also striking though they are natural here and not by tradition.
Excellent work
Have a good weekend, groet Rob

adramad (72564) 2018-11-04 10:25

Hello Mariusz.
Grandiose perspective upwards, of these splendid ruins, I love this theme, the red of the poppies is an ideal touch that gives a point gives attraction to these magnificent ruins.
An image to enjoy, with its beautiful colors, great luminosity and perfect sharpness.
Superbly captured. I love.
Happy start of the week
Very best regards.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (67709) 2018-11-06 20:24

Witaj Mariusz,
A fine photo from Hierapolis. I instinctively look at the date you took this because I have been there many times in the summer and I have not seen any poppies. Summers are too dry for wild flowers, I guess. 👍👍
Regards,
MT

macjake (98262) 2018-11-06 22:05

Hi Marisuz
sorry my friend...i have missed so many of your last posts.
so this is near the famous Pamukkale? man, i really regret NOT going here when I was in Istanbul, I should have made the trip.
if this is the reward its well worth it. Great to see the poppies as well, and yes, we wear them in November as well. super shot, so full of texture and the subject content is A+ as always. excellent light and shadows combo
cheers
Craig

COSTANTINO (115583) 2018-11-13 11:52

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day
interesting picture from a very
good painter photographer
the detail here is eyecatching
great idea to present such a photo
with ancient ruins and new life
beginning again!!!these are poppies
adding a fresh beauty to the whole
scenery
regards
Costantino

jmdias (114318) 2018-11-17 11:54

mariusz

ruins are a hard theme to take photos, sometimes it is better to see ruins than to take photos of them. here you used well the flowers in FG and the arches ahead. an excellent result.

take care

jorge

maloutim (13617) 2018-12-17 1:13

Hi Mariusz,
Delightful choice of photograph for Remembrance day. I like the fact that you chose natural poppies . They always look so nice in ruins. It was the same in Rome last May, I remember !
I also enjoyed reading your note about the poor, frightened "boys" who were forced to become soldiers and "enemies"
"Quelle connerie la guerre !" is a song by Barbara from Jacques Prévert's poem.
Now, let's concentrate on unification ! How are you going to be affected by Brexit ?
TFS and have a great week.
Marie-Louise.