Brunch with Battutah
Balcony in Bahrain
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 30 September 2008 in Architecture and Portfolio.
The antique version of the balcony on the modern building shown yesterday. I took this image in the backstreets of the old town of Manama, Bahrain. I believe the balcony was generally designed for women to come out on and survey the street below without being seen, such modesty for women being considered an important part of the culture.
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
I like this old version even better than the modern version. However, the modern version on the modern building was totally unexpected. I enjoy all the detail in the elaborate scroll work.
30 Sep 2008 5:20am
@Steve Rice: Thank you very much, Steve.
@sherri: Thank you very much, Sherri.
@Rags: Many thanks, Rags.
@Marion: Carving in that part of the world is a real tradition. thanks, Marion.
@beanow: I agree. Thank you, Beanow.
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
so beautiful! i certainly want one of these!! ;) an excellent detail shot -- so wonderfully ornate! thank you for posting!
30 Sep 2008 6:14am
@dj.tigersprout: A pleasure. Many thanks, Jaycee.
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
Just cannot imagine the amount of time it must have taken to make one of these - no wonder unemployment figures were low! Seriously Michael - the detail here is wonderful and I like the different angles.
30 Sep 2008 6:26am
@dobbino: Thank you very much, Rob.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Beautifully ornate carving and still in excellent condition. I would think that the wood would dry out and crack in the heat but this seems to have survived well.
30 Sep 2008 6:46am
@MaryB: It is quite weathered and somewhat dry but quite well preserved. Many thanks, Mary.
Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany
A nice and detailed shot of this cultural fact again, Michael. Nice woodwork...
30 Sep 2008 7:39am
@Mirko Herzner: Thank you, Mirko.
Elaine- from Vancouver, Canada
hey i need a balcony like that so i can spy on everybody without being seen, i would take photos up there!
30 Sep 2008 7:44am
@Elaine-: Great idea. Thanks, Elaine.
saeed from ahwaz, Iran
wow! full of art woodwork!! so beautiful and interesting. It looks hand made,is it?
very nice shot michael,thanks againe for sharing us. best regards
30 Sep 2008 8:48am
@saeed: Thank you, Saeed. Yes, I am pretty sure it is handmade.
António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal
Very nice. In their hot climate it's a clever way to filter the radiation out while letting the air to circulate.
30 Sep 2008 9:04am
@António Pires: I agree. Thank you, António.
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
Beautiful wood scultpures on this balcony ! Lovely details.
30 Sep 2008 9:13am
@Calusarus: Thank you very much, Frederic.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
The wood work is just incredible. I believe I prefer the older version also. Great shot.
30 Sep 2008 10:17am
@Betty: I do too. thank you, Betty.
@rem_la: Merci, rem_la.
Veronelle from Lens, France
superbe realisation d'art bien mise en valeur par le photographe
30 Sep 2008 10:48am
@Veronelle: Merci, Veronelle.
Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia
Wow, so intricate the detail, wonderful POV Michael!
30 Sep 2008 11:09am
@Kylie Greenan: Thank you, Kylie.
Rui from Leiria, Portugal
Great woodwork, and you captured those details very well. So beautiful and interesting. Well done Michael and thanks for showing those marveillous things around the world
30 Sep 2008 11:31am
@Rui: Thank you very much, Rui.
MJ from Delaware, United States
the designs are so detialed... beautiful... they were designed for a nice breeze also...nice capture... thanks for the insight
30 Sep 2008 1:03pm
@MJ: Thank you, MJ.
@Robin: Thank you, Robin.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
The carved wood is so intricate and delicate - just beautiful, but could probably use a bit of oil or wood preservative.
And do the women still remain 'hidden' most of the time? I notice that all your portrait shots are of the men.
30 Sep 2008 2:25pm
@Judy: Yes, actually many of the women still have their faces covered on the street and snapping a photo of them covered could still cause quite a problem. thanks, Judy.
claire from Canada
so these balconies are made for women to spy on people? lol! nice shot Michael! :D
30 Sep 2008 2:46pm
@claire: Certainly one way of looking at it. thanks, Claire.
@Zygene: Merci, Zygene.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
WOW Amazing, Love how it looks...wow still want to be there with my cam :)
30 Sep 2008 3:36pm
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine. If you can stand the summer heat, it's a great place for photography.
@Marie: Merci, Marie.
@Marcie: Thank you, Marcie.
Radel from Netherlands
hmm.. the traditional version of the balcony seems much classier (as is always the case) compared to the modern one. lovely detail in wood.
30 Sep 2008 5:40pm
@Radel: Thank you, Radel.
@petitlouis: Merci, Petitlouis.
@Alline: Merci, Alline.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Wonderful handwork, well captured! But this one urgently needs some treatment!
30 Sep 2008 7:03pm
@MadScientist: I agree. Probably they don't have the money to look after it. thanks, MS.
@Kaddy: Thank you, Kaddy.
@Terry H.: Many thanks, Terry.
AC from NY, United States
There are so may fine details and lines in this snap. Great capture.
30 Sep 2008 9:58pm
@AC: Thank you, AC.
@lasiate: Merci, Lasiate.
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Made by local craftsmen....? it really is a feature to the house.
30 Sep 2008 11:43pm
@Observing: Yes, but rather uncared for. thank you, Mike.
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Thanks for the close up of this beautiful design Michael. I can almost image one of their lovely ladies peeking through ....they are really steeped in tradition.
1 Oct 2008 12:34am
@Marion: Many thanks, Marion.
Angelique from The Netherlands, Netherlands
This is so great... amazing how many details there are... must have taken them forever to make this.
Great capture!
1 Oct 2008 6:50am
@Angelique: Thank you, Angelique.
@zohre: Thank you, Zohre.
Martie from Versailles, United States
Beautiful! You have captured the details wonderfully. What craftsmanship.
1 Oct 2008 1:44pm
@Martie: I agree. thank you, Martie.
@Eleftheria!: Thank you, E almost 10.
Sony DSLR-A300
1/6 second
F/11.0
ISO 100
82 mm (35mm equiv.)