The Stalingrad Cat

kurzvorzwoelf

The following picture was taken at the World War 2 memorial site "Mamayev Kurgan" in the Russian city of Volgograd, formerly known as Stalingrad. I spotted this (probably) homeless cat roaming through the tourists, probably on the lookout for someone to feed her or for some leftovers. I followed her around for a while, and then she suddenly decided to be thirsty and drink from the site's central water baisin. The time frame for a picture was short, so I have this guy taking a picture of his pregnant wife in the background.

At first, I thought this couple would have ruined the picture, but after having looked at it for a while, I think it even adds something to the overall frame. There were a lot of people at that site that day, and everyone was taking pictures of something - most took pictures of the "Motherland Calls" statue (I have posted a picture in a different thread), some where taking selfies and some were taking pictures of their loved ones. And I was taking a picture of this stray cat, taking some sips out of the basin. And the cat? It didn't care at all.

As for some context, this is the baisin:

denisegoldberg

I like the "cat drinking" photo. And I think you're right that the background couple adds interest and a slightly different focus to the scene.

WernerG

I like the first very much. The scene is clearly "monumental" with its stonework and water basin but there are non-monumental things happening, a cat drinking from the pool, a couple photographing memories. Nicely done.

kurzvorzwoelf

Thank you Denise and Werner. I actually tried to clone the two people out of the image before. But while that was technically possible (it's suprising how modern technology enables an amateur like me to do such stuff with a few clicks), I felt like it removed something from the story.

torags

Good thinking on #1 and a great capture well handled

kurzvorzwoelf

Thanks Rags, much appreciated!

Juano

@torags said:
Good thinking on #1 and a great capture well handled

I agree, good capture.

kurzvorzwoelf

Thank you Cristobal, glad you like it!

redleash

Ditto to what has been said. Excellent!

kurzvorzwoelf

@redleash said:
Ditto to what has been said. Excellent!

Thanks for takaing your time to view this post and your encouraging comment, Lauren!