Changing Tracks  by jyokota

Changing Tracks

The 160km train ride from Wroclaw to Poznan took three and a half hours. Cars went speeding past us. Our train kept stopping and then making loud clanging sounds, which I later learned was track changes.But since I don't speak German or Polish, I never know what's happening., At one stop, I looked out my window, and this image faced me. The train stopped long enough that I changed seats all around, photographing with / without additional poles, including the barbed wire along the top by taking the photo vertically, etc. Ultimately, I chose the very first one I took! I like this one because it clearly shows the rusted fence, the rusted train, contrasted with the growth of spring wildflowers. I was disappointed that I couldn't get more clarity on the wildflowers, but as I've commented before, I find that yellow flowers are difficult to get details visible. I have no idea why.
Wow, I have looked through your album, and it makes me wonder... Are you ever at home? Since you do a lot of travel, your challenge this week is to capture some urban decay. I would like to see a neglected or abandoned structure, building, factory, or something similar. Good luck and I hope you enjoy it!
May 12th, 2013  
That happens to me a lot too! All that extra effort that could have been avoided. Nice contrast between the train and the flowers.
May 12th, 2013  
I like this for the variety of textures you have included, and the way they are layered. The contrasts of the colors -- both natural and man-made -- works well.
May 12th, 2013  
A good composition and interesting shot. You certainly get around a bit!
May 12th, 2013  
At first I wasn't sure but ther is so much going on, love the flowers and the fence line they go so well together. It's amazing how the survive
May 13th, 2013  
Nice set of colours and shades. Definitely best seen enlarged.
May 14th, 2013  
Sounds like an interesting ride.
May 14th, 2013  
Help, Help @synke, @kty, I need help! My challenge from @fishy is to find urban decay, described as " I would like to see a neglected or abandoned structure, building, factory, or something similar." Where I live in Mitte, all you see is urban development! Cranes and construction EVERYWHERE! See Molly's @dolphin photo at http://365project.org/dolphin/365/2013-04-18

So, where do you suggest that I go to find some "urban decay" to photograph?
May 14th, 2013  
@jyokota We used to take the students to Friedrichshain. North of Warschauer S-bahn station, down a road to the right, there were some temporary spaces with plenty of evidence of urban decay. I have photos to prove it! There was a big indoor skatehall there. I think we last went ther in 2008, so of course it might have been redeveloped, but might be worth a look!
May 14th, 2013  
@dolphin --You mean just east of where the section of the wall is? On the other side of where the gigantic O2 stadium is now? I think I've seen that area from the ring s-bahn, now that you mention it! Good tip, thanks!!
@bouvardpecuchet -- do you know the name of the streets Molly is referring to?
May 14th, 2013  
@danielwsc -- thanks for your comment. And as to all that extra effort, we can only hope we learned something from it, right?
@taffy -- you hit exactly what I was intrigued by -- color, texture, layering!
@dolphin -- thanks for the comment. I had a rusty pipe in there, perpendicular to the ground, on most of the shots, and I thought it would add interest but I finally decided it only attracted too much attention and chose the one shot that didn't have it included.

@dolphin @fishy -- as for getting around and not being home, this is my first year being "retired" from a regular job, but I am certainly not retired from my career, and this year, most of my work is giving talks and consultations in various places around the world.
@stevepam - thanks for commenting and noticing the flowers behind the fence!
@steampowered -- and thanks for taking time to enlargen as well as comment. You are always so generous . . .
@lynnb -- particularly interesting in that I use my train trips as a moving "office" with my laptop along, and get quite a bit of work done on the train while also gazing out the window at the scenery. On this trip, I saw a lot of beautiful yellow fields of rapsblüten -- 菜の花 in Japanese but not sure what it's called in English.
May 15th, 2013  
@jyokota I suggest you come to Friedrichshain where I live. There is an areal called RAW. (clubs, cafes but also lots of graffiti, brick stone and some abandoned buildings. You should find lots of stuff there. You could also go to the “Spreepark” in Treptower Park. Spreepark is an abandoned theme park. On weekends there is the little Park train going around so you can get a good overview, but even the entrance area is freely accessible with lots of decay. If you like to go on a little trip to Berlins C-zone you could go to "Beelitzer Heilstätten" its an abandoned hospital. I also heard the former Irakan Embassy in Pankow is abandoned and accessible.

I hope this is helful for you. Let me know if there is anything else. Make sure to tag me in your photo so I don't miss with what you come up with. Good luck.
May 15th, 2013  
@dolphin @jyokota
I just read all the comments now. Molly means RAW, its at Revaler Strasse. Go to Warschauer Str. Station and the cross the bridge. Its the first street on your right. Opposite direction as of going to East side gallery.
May 15th, 2013  
Gorgeous colors and great perspective by the way. I love all the different layers. How was Poznan?
May 15th, 2013  
@synke Yes, I did mean RAW - thanks for reminding me. Glad we were both on the same wavelength!
May 15th, 2013  
@jyokota yes of course :) Revaler Strasse
May 16th, 2013  
@synke @dolphin @bouvardpecuchet -- Many thanks for your help in identifying the best place for me to go! Eye opening photo walk with @bouvardpecuchet, followed by her delicious homemade pizza. See results at: http://365project.org/jyokota/challenges-and/2013-05-19
and the full context at: http://365project.org/jyokota/365/2013-05-19

Thanks for your help on this!

@fishy, as you see, it took the 365 village for me to find a place to go.
May 20th, 2013  
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