Teachers's Protest

Vier Pfoten/Four Paws in Pakistan - Floods aftermath

Photos and slide concept by Mihai Vasile. Photos have been taken during a Vier Pfoten / Four Paws Animal Welfare Foundation disaster relief project, after the floods in Pakistan in August 2010. Music composed for this slide by Dragos Alexandru. www.vier-pfoten.org

Play it in 720p...and turn the sound on.

Lens Culture - 2010 awards

Winners gallery of the Lens Culture International Exposure 2010.

Limply protest, again...

About 50 trade unionists gather in front of the PD-L party headquarters in Bacau, and limply protest against the government policy. Bacau, october 15.

Amateur Boxing

Few shots from the Amateur Boxing National Championship in Romania, september 2010.

Inside Romania

Ro: Romania, vazuta de catre fotografii Reuters.

En: Romania, seen by Reuters photographers.

Romanian Police at 75%

Police officers protest in front of the Administrative Palace of Bacau city, Romania, on september 20, during a unionists protest meeting. Their salaries were reduced to 75 %.
"We are paid 75 percent of our wage, we will work 75 percent. We informed state authorities that police would no longer take part in assuring security at courts of justice and other institutions, including presidency, government, prosecutor's office. We will withdraw all our logistics to police precincts, we will not direct traffic anymore and we will only answer to 112 emergency calls," said Marian Gruia, president of the National Police Union Federation.

Reuters Pictures

Pictures of the month July and August.

Bacau Floods

Shooting Robert King

The tale of war photographer Robert King, a unique and personal journey over 15 years and through three wars.

FIFA World Cup 2010

A selection of photos made by Boston Globe editors. See here part 1, 2, 3 and 4. Enjoy!
Here is the Reuters selection, Time magazine.

Aftermath of Northern Moldova Floods

Starved for Attention

Strongly recomanded. Here.

Saucesti Flooding. July, 2010

Reuters Pictures

Reuters pictures of the month april, may and june.

Voleyball

Hands of volleyball players of Dinamo Bucuresti and Tomis Constanta teams are seen during a match counting for the first of the four play-off tournaments of the romanian women's volleyball championship, A1 division, in Bacau, march 26, 2010.

2010 NPPA Best of Photojournalism - winners

EN: Last but not least, the NPPA Best of Photojournalism contest have chosen it's 2010 winners. Enjoy!

RO: Ultimul dar nu si cel din urma, concursul Best Of Photojournalism al NPPA, si-a ales castigatorii pentru 2010.

A police officer gives flowers to a woman driver during International Women's Day in Bacau, Romania, March 8, 2010.

A little bit too late, I decided to publish this photo because I saw others liked it.

Iedera

En: A woman reacts during a concert by singer Victor Socaciu who promotes his new album called "Iedera", in Bacau, march 12, 2010.

The album is dedicated to little Bogy(10 years old)and her family. The little girl was in cerebral death when she gave her kidneys to the artist saving his life in the autumn of 2009. "For this child I wrote the song Imbratisare in cer(Embracing in Heaven) when I was convalescent, and all the other twelve songs of the album came after" said the singer.

Ro: O femeie reactioneaza in timpul concertului sustinut de Victor Socaciu, care si-a lansat ultimul sau album "Iedera", in Bacau, 12 martie 2010.

Albumul este dedicat micutei Bogy(10 ani) si familiei acesteia. Fetita se afla in moarte cerebrala cand si-a donat rinichii artistului salvandu-i viata in toamna anului 2009. "Pentru acest copil am scris cantecul Imbratisare in Cer cand eram in convalescenta, iar dupa acesta au venit si celelalte 12 ale albumului" a spus artistul.

National Indoor Athletics Championship for Juniors III (under 14)

Winners of the 67th POYi Competition

En: Finally, after three weeks of judging, the winners list of the 67th annual POYi competition is done. Here's the winners gallery. For me, taking part live at the judging process was an awesome experience. The organizers made an excellent choice allowing everyone worldwide attend the process. Few photographers from Romania participated at this year contest but, unfortunately, no award this time. For those who don't know, Andrei Pungovschi and Petrut Calinescu are the only two romanians awarded at the POYi. If I'm mistaken, please correct me.

Ro: Dupa trei saptamani de jurizare lista castigatorilor celei de-a 67-a competitii anuale POYi este in sfarsit gata. Aici puteti vedea galeria premiantilor. Pentru mine participarea in direct la procesul de jurizare a fost o experienta extraordinara. Organizatorii au facut o alegere excelenta permitand oricui sa participe la proces. Cativa fotografi romani au participat la concursul de anul acesta dar, din pacate, nu au luat si premii. Pentru cei care nu stiu, Andrei Pungovschi si Petrut Calinescu sunt singurii romani premiati la POYi. Daca ma insel, va rog, corectati-ma.

World Press Photo 2010 winner-disqualified

En: Ukrainean photographer Stepan Rudick, awarded 3rd in the Sport Feature-stories category was disqualified after the jury has analyzed the original photo. Read more about this, here.
The submitted and the original photos can be seen here.

Ro: Stepan Rudik (Ucraina), initial premiat cu premiul III la cateforia "Sport Features-stories", a fost descalificat dupa ce juriul WPP a analizat fotografia originala. Mai multe, aici.
Fotografia trimisa la WPP si cea originala pot fi vazute aici.

Reuters pictures

Reuters pictures of the month february.

Ultima poza

Vasile Lelea(S), de la Stiinta Bacau, incearca sa puncteze in meciul cu CSM Bucuresti, contand pentru faza a II-a a play off-ului diviziei A2 la volei masculin, in Bacau, sambata, 27 februarie 2010.

Aceasta este, probabil ultima poza pe care am facut-o si o voi face in Sala Sporturilor din Bacau. Nu are nimic extraordinar in ea, dar conteaza foarte mult pentru mine, emotional, prin faptul ca este ultima. Astazi, 28 februarie 2010, am trait ceva ce nu credeam sa ajung vreodata sa traiesc. Nu, nu este nimic grav si probabil nu intereseaza pe aproape nimeni indignarea mea. Sa va povestesc. A avut loc la Sala Sporturilor meciul de handbal masculin dintre Stiinta Bacau si Minaur Baia Mare. Am fost, ca de obicei, la meci pentru a face fotografii pentru agentia Mediafax, pentru care lucrez, ca si colaborator foto, de mai multi ani. Nu mi s-a permis accesul in teren, de fapt in spatele portilor de unde fac de obicei fotografiile la meciurile de handbal. Am inteles ca s-a luat aceasta hotarare pentru a nu murdari parchetul salii de sport. Intotdeauna cand am intrat in zona suprafetei de joc(pe marginea terenului) am fost extrem de atent si sa nu introduc mizerii pe parchet. Este pana la urma chestie de bun simt. Mi s-a spus sa fotografiez din tribune daca vreau sa fotografiez, ceea ce este exclus pentru mine. Si nu pentru ca as fi incapatanat ci pentru ca in ultimii ani mi-am format un anumit standard in ceea ce priveste calitatea fotografiei, iar din tribune n-as putea sa fac poze bune nici intr-o suta de ani. Vorbesc si de standardele mele personale si de cele ale agentiei Mediafax Foto, standarde care corespund cu cele ale celor mai mari agentii de fotografie de presa, sau cel putin spre asta se tinde. Nu am absolut nicio obligatie, nici fata de agentia Mediafax, nici fata de clubul Stiinta Bacau. Ceea ce am facut in ultimii ani prin faptul ca am asigurat, atat cat am putut, partea de imagine a ceea ce inseamna evenimente sportive desfasurate in sala de sport din Bacau, am facut-o, credeti-ma, voluntar, in sensul ca valoarea beneficiilor financiare pe care le-am avut de la evenimentele de aici este ZERO. Am facut-o si-o fac din dragoste pentru sport si sportivi. Respect pentru sport am avut si o sa am toata viata. Mai ales ca pe diploma scrie ca as fi specialist in educatie fizica si sport. Iar cele 5 medalii pe care le-am luat in timpul activitatii sportive, le-am luat tot pentru clubul Stiinta Bacau. Imi pare rau ca se intampla astfel. E ca si cum mi s-ar face mie o favoare ca sunt lasat sa fac poze la meciuri, si nu eu lor, ca asigur imagine pentru sportul din Bacau la probabil cea mai buna agentie de presa din Romania si care constituie, cel mai bun mijloc de informare si promovare la nivel, nu numai national ci si international. Asta este mentalitatea, din pacate. Cam asa se pune accent pe promovarea prin miloacele mass media a sportului. Suntem cu un secol in urma celor spre care, cica, tindem. Imi pare rau pentru sportivi. Ei nu au nicio vina. Am incercat sa fac tot ce-am putut pentru ei. Si absolut gratis. Mi-am sacrificat nenumarate sambete, duminici cand as fi putut sa fac cu totul altceva, pentru a veni la meciuri sa fac fotografii. Am cheltuit resurse de toate felurile pentru asta. Si pentru ce? Pentru ca cei de la sala sa-si bata joc de mine. Este decizia lor si nu pot face altceva decat sa o respect. Nu am intentia de a creea vreo polemica pe tema asta, pur si simplu mi-am spus punctul personal de vedere. Tin pumnii in continuare echipelor bacauane care isi desfasoara meciurile la Sala Sporturilor. Iar celor cu "deciziile", sunt convins ca, mai devreme sau mai tarziu, o sa realizati ca gresiti.

P.S. In engleza nu mai traduc, odata pentru ca m-as chinui destul de mult(engleza nefiind neaparat unul din punctele mele forte), si inca odata pentru ca e, poate, mai bine ca vorbitorii de alte limbi care ajung pe-aici sa nu inteleaga ce spun.

The technical borders in photojournalism

En: A very interesting discussion from the POYi judging "backstage". The technique used by Andy Spyra, in the photo that has been awarded 3rd place in the General Division and Newspaper Story, Feature category roused some controversy among the judging members first, and then among photojournalists and picture editors. Read what Scott Strazzante, member of POYi judging crew, wrote about this on his blog. Also see the Andy Spyra's point of view. What do you think about this? What is your opinion?

Btw, I recommend you all watching live the POYi judging process, here. It's an amazing experience.

Ro: O discutie interesanta din culisele jurizarii POYi. Tehnica folosita de Andy Spyra in fotografia care a fost premiata cu locul 3 la categoria Feature din cadrul General Division si Newspaper Story, a dat nastere la discutii contradictorii printre membrii juriului POYi la inceput, iar apoi printre multi fotojurnalisti si editori. Cititi ce scrie Scott Strazzante, unul dintre membri juriului, despre asta pe blogul lui. De asemenea vedeti si punctul de vedere al autorului controversatei fotografii, Andy Spyra. Ce credeti voi despre asta? Care e opinia voastra?

Recomand tuturor sa asiste live la jurizarea POYi, aici. E o experienta extraordinara.

Little Wrestlers

The "Winter Cup" freestyle wrestling contest for children. Bacau, february 20, 2010.

2010 Budget

En: President of the Bacau County Council, Dragos Benea(C), County Secretary, Elena Catalina Bruma(L), and vicepresident Dumitru Braneanu(R), lead the council meeting having the 2010 budget as the main theme, in Bacau, february 18, 2010.

Ro: Dragos Benea(C), presedintele Consiliului Judetean Bacau, Elena Catalina Bruma(S), secretarul judetului, si Dumitru Braneanu(D), vicepresedintele Consiliului Judetean, conduc sedinta ordinara de Consiliu Judetean, pe tema bugetului pe anul 2010, in Bacau, joi, 18 februarie 2010.

2010, "Dorin Melinte" Memorial...

En: This is my picture of the 2010 "Dorin Melinte" Athletics Memorial. It represent an exhausted athlete after the 400 m event. The 400 m event is considered to be the hardest of all track and field events.

Ro: Aceasta este poza mea de la Memorialul "Dorin Melinte", editia 2010. Surprinde un atlet epuizat la sfarsitul probei de 400 m. Proba de 400 de metri este considerata ca fiind cea mai grea din atletism.

World Press Photo 2010

En: The 2010 winning images of the prestigious World Press Photo contest are revealed. You can see the winners gallery here. Enjoy!
It's a pity that no romanian photojournalist has been awarded in this contest, through the years. No exception, this year.

Ro: Fotografiile editiei 2010 a faimosului concurs de fotografie World Press Photo, sunt dezvaluite. Puteti admira galeria de imagini castigatoare aici.
Pacat ca niciun fotojurnalist roman nu a fost premiat la acest concurs, la nicio editie. Nici anul acesta n-a facut exceptie.

More athletics...

Homework

Testing my new 20 mm/f 2.8 lens. He's Andrei, my nephew, doing his homework at...yes, you guessed it...math.

The Mayor

My today's photo of the mayor Romeo Stavarache who addresses the media during a news conference, in Bacau, Romania, february 1, 2010.
L.E. As Mihai Vasile says, this is an example of pointless originality:D

Struggle to Live-by James Nachtwey

Ro: Aici puteti vedea un story despre bolnavii de tuberculoza. Am ramas cu un nod in gat dupa ce am vazut imaginile. Atentie: continut explicit.

En: Here you can see a photo essay about the resurgence of tuberculosis. Those images left me speechless... Essay contains explicit content.

Reuters Pictures of the month January

Here.

The Places We Live

Here' s a powerful theme covered by Magnum photographer Jonas Bendiksen. Also check this out:-|

;-)

Daciana Curtean(L) of Otelul Galati team, attempts to score during the match against Stiinta Bacau, counting for Romanian Women's Handball National League, in Bacau, Romania, january 27, 2010.

University National Athletics Championship

...

Ro: Vasile Lelea(C) de la Stiinta Bacau, ataca mingea in timpul meciului cu CSU Galati, contand pentru etapa a XIII a diviziei A2 de volei masculin, in Bacau, sambata, 16 ianuarie 2010.

En: Vasile Lelea(C), of Stiinta Bacau team, spikes the ball during the match against CSU Galati, a match counting for the National Male Volleyball Championship, A2 division, in Bacau, Romania, January 16, 2010

Reuters Pictures of the month December

Here.