Looks like a cross between the laughing policeman and a royal Hussar!
Nice and sharp

Nice one. Speaking of snow, I live in the northern part of Sweden and we have had an insane amount of snow so far, I'm gonna post some photos of a snowcovered landscape tomorrow or the day after.

...it looks as though the snow is an intentional part of the monument... very nice. So, who is this guy?

wow! very creepy ! nicely done!

This monument looks as flat as a board. I looking forward to see other photos from your village.

The extra contrast really makes this monument pop. What does the monument represent?

(Just got back from the USA Southeast, 20 degrees F in Atlanta but NO snow, 74 degrees F in Los Angeles and (also) no snow. C'est la vie.)

love the contrast and texture of the B/W conversion, but it's the toning that takes it over the top for me !!

David, I've just recently discovered your photoblog through the 2009 awards. I must admit I have found it absolutely inspiring! A real pleasure to view. With a full-time job and two kids I rarely have the time I need to review these things but I have some serious CROMASIA surfing in mind these days, believe me!
Absolutely beautiful! I still have a long road ahead!

It's like King Winter with his medals and decorations made of snow.

Awesome photo! I just started getting into photography and wanted to share a photo I took while camping at Lake Sonoma. I created a Fotobabble so here it is....
Check out my Fotobabble

good shot

This image is amazing, very surreal. Great capture.

Don't work David, I am trying to make the most of photographing the North West in the snow. I really like the subtle use of Duotone style processing on this photograph. I'm guessing that is the type of technic you have used. Whatever you have done it's a great find. Keep them coming!

Here is the Wikipedia article about the type of person this monument probably represents: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajduk

It may also be a monument of a soldier or commander (even a Russian one). There was a very important battle near Veliko Tarnovo circa 1878.

And I forgot to mention: good job in adding contrast to the photo and the tones, all works very well.

hey its really good !

I'd be concerned if your village was named Sodom or Gomorah (sp?). There wasn't a pillar of salt nearby with a naughty curiosity to its matronly pose, was there? Seriously, though, an very intriguing capture. I like how you set the right hand side parallel to the edge and used even spacing to frame the shot. The odd angle makes him look as though he's falling and giving one last desparate look to the sky. I feel like I'm seeing a bit of red and blue but I'm not sure: did you desaturate to get more monochrome appearance? Anyway, crispy sharp and contrasty. Really pops.

It is a memorial to those who died for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. The final battles were fought nearby, and the most villages and towns have at least one monument (we have two in our village).

Thad: Thanks. As for the monochrome appearance: I created a black and white version in Camera Raw then toned the image using a Curve in Photoshop. In essence I lowered the white point for the blue curve (adding some yellow to the highlights) and decreased the mid-tone value of the green curve (which added the slight magenta cast).

I like it Dave, looks like he is peering towards the sky as if to say, Stop already.

Regards,

Dave

I like this image David and think the composition and angle you've shot it from compliment the subject. I do wonder if a cooler toning would have suited the subject matter better though. I'd love to get an insight into why you chose the warmer toning?

I look forward to seeing your unique take on your family's new environment Dave.

I just wanted to delurke myself: i follow your blog and got a beautiful photo in my feed reader every day for years. thank you for being an intense source of inspiration!

Lovely! Love the grainy texture to the monument

I havn't been the the website for a long time. It's a pity that I don't know you've been in China. When will you come again? I'm your big fan! Welcome to Hangzhou, China, a very beautiful city that you could get deep impression here.

very nice!!!

wow wow!! I just looked over some of your images and you are great! They are amazingly well done and I very much like the mood in many of the images and what they portray! Wonderful work!

Grea capture!

Stunning detail and texture

Very interesting and look forward to learning more about Bulgaria

Are you giving up the blogging Dave? I like this image but would love to see a new one.

Um, Bulgaria? Is this a permanent move? Gollly, why Bulgaria?

Mooch; I imagine, wih a new baby in the house, Dave is somewhat busy. No to mention bleeding exhausted. ;-)