Point Alpha
Jul 22, 2023 16:41:05 #
This past trip to Germany, I wanted to check out a few areas that were important during the Cold War. One of these spots is on the German/German border (referred to as the "Iron Curtain" during the Cold War) that was just outside of Fulda (West) Germany. If the cold war had turned hot, it would have probably started here. At this outpost, which has been preserved, American soldiers were sent for two weeks at a time before they were switched out with other soldiers stationed in Fulda. It is a spooky place even now a generation after the end of the cold war has ended. So I used the clouds in the sky and NIK to give this photo of an East German observation tower an ominous look. I only had bright sunshine conditions in the middle of the day, so it was tough to make it really ominous.
Erich
Erich
Jul 22, 2023 16:51:45 #
Jul 22, 2023 17:41:12 #
ebrunner wrote:
This past trip to Germany, I wanted to check out a... (show quote)
Wow, that is all that remains.
Jul 22, 2023 18:14:24 #
Brings back memories of the Fulda Gap, which I spent three years helping to defend, Erich.
Jul 22, 2023 21:18:50 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
Very nice shot Erich. A stark reminder of the time we grew up in.
That history interests me a lot. When I was in High School, I lived in Germany about 75miles from this spot. In those days you had to have authorization to be at Point Alpha. It was not for tourists and history geeks in those days.
Erich
Jul 22, 2023 21:21:52 #
lamiaceae wrote:
Wow, that is all that remains.
The Germans were going to remove all of the towers and the border installations. This part is still intact pretty much as it was then. I also visited the northern terminus of the Iron Curtain at the Baltic Sea. There is nothing left there to remind us of the conditions that existed not that long ago.
Erich
Jul 22, 2023 21:23:27 #
Jul 22, 2023 21:40:44 #
ebrunner wrote:
That is interesting. Were you stationed at Point Alpha?
We were on the other side, watching them watching us.
Jul 22, 2023 21:47:33 #
UTMike wrote:
We were on the other side, watching them watching us.
Wow!
Jul 23, 2023 08:41:53 #
Without the backstory I would have no idea what that structure was all about. Unlike UTMike who lived the experience. The colors are pretty subdued. Might I suggest a B/W version would be more in the theme of spooky. I do think the cloudy sky makes this shot.
Jul 23, 2023 08:47:53 #
Jul 23, 2023 08:57:19 #
NJFrank wrote:
Without the backstory I would have no idea what that structure was all about. Unlike UTMike who lived the experience. The colors are pretty subdued. Might I suggest a B/W version would be more in the theme of spooky. I do think the cloudy sky makes this shot.
Black and White! Why didn't I think about that. Great idea. I'll work on it.
Erich
Jul 23, 2023 08:58:21 #
jaymatt wrote:
You have succeeded!
I think Frank's idea of a black and white version could really work well. That is next. THanks for taking a look.
Erich
Jul 23, 2023 08:58:23 #
ebrunner wrote:
Black and White! Why didn't I think about that. Great idea. I'll work on it.
Erich
Erich
Jul 23, 2023 09:17:52 #
You mean that tower was all they had? Or is that all that remains of an installation?
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