SYAMOZERO FROZEN LAKE IN KARELIA RUSSIA
The country of thousand lakes and its midnight sun.
by Rodion Galanev and Natalya Razvazhnaya
Discover the beauties of Karelia in the panoramic images and words of Rodion Galanev Livepano.ru which have been "recorded" by Natalya Razvaznhnaya.Karelia (Karjala), Syamozero Lake, on 06.01.2008, at 15.30-16.00. "You might ask me how come I've found myself in the middle of nowhere, where the brightest sun is blinding your eyes and the endless snowfields are covering the ground ? 
click here to view fullscreen
On the New Year eve I was almost ready to have the usual glass of champagne with my friends, when I got a letter from my old student friend. He came up with the crazy idea of celebrating New Year in his company immersed in the beautiful northern nature. I thought why not ? Two days later I found myself in a train moving towards an amazing, beautiful country on the North-West of Russia, the land of the midnight sun. It's a region of blue lakes, rapid rivers, rustling pines and harsh rocks. It is called Karelia. Karelia is the edge of the majestic nature, it is very similar to the nature of the neighbouring Finland. Karelia is also called "country of thousand lakes".In the days of the Ice Age the entire territory of Karelia was covered with layers of ice. When the glaciers began to melt and creep, they left behind a rugged landscape with a large number of lakes and rivers. There are three natural elements in Karelia - water, wood and stone. Intertwined with one another, they create the unique natural beauty of this area. At the very beginning of my trip I was not lucky because the weather was not very kind to us. Since I couldn't take photographs I enjoyed the time with my friend. We remembered the many experiences lived together during the University time. My friend Anatoly devoted all his holiday to me. We jumped into the car and crossed this amazing area up and down enjoying all the magnificent beauty of the region. In south-western Karelia, in the 80 km from Petrozavodsk there is one of the biggest and most beautiful lakes in Karelia: Syamozero. 
click here to view fullscreenIt is located in the astonishing beauty of the ground with its picturesque islands and forests, full of rich and generous gifts of nature. 
click here to view fullscreenWhen my stay was going towards its end, eventually the weather showed a bit of generosity and the sun came out. I was shooting like a crazy and almost missed my train back home. We had to rush like madmen to cover those 80km from the Syamozero village (same named village, where I shoot the hole and shoot from the hilltop) to the train station in one hour to get there in time. 
click here to view fullscreen...But I have to admit that in my panos I still feel the harmony I felt either with myself or with nature this New Year. And what about you??? :)" Technical details: Canon EOS 30D, Sigma 8/f3,5 Circular Fisheye, Manfrotto 055 PROB tripod, Gitzo ballhead, panohead.   Are you professional photographer, do you offer photography VR photography services to clients ?
 I’m not a professional photographer. I have seen a panorama for the first time in 2001, owing to my occupation. I’m a realtor and it was an iPIX. My love for mountains has made shooting panoramas my hobby. Both of these facts have led other colleagues asking me for professional VR service...Even from other cities. I have tried various software. Since I discovered Panorama Tools and the various GUI to it, my hobby has received a new impulse and increased in quality.Can you tell me more about your background ?
I studied, study and I shall study all my life.Rodion Galanev's special thanks to:
Helmut Dersch, for Panorama Tools; Alexander Nazarov, for making panoramas popular in Russia; Michael Norel for Smartblend; Andrey Zubetz, for panoramic tutorials, design of panoramic heads and scrupulous researches in all areas connected with interactive panorama creation; Natalia Kovarskaya and Alexey Grif for kind coaching and their fine works; Alex Makienko's personal web site with big worldwide gallery for friends; best russian forum; Forum gallery with pano-hosting for forum user's; Andrey Ilyin for highly lifting the flag of the national panorama photography; Valentin Pryanishnikov; Anatoly Skoblov; Andrey Kharuk; Gumir J. for the enthusiasm and the help; and finally Stanislav Galanev, my brother, for patience and help in all. Links:
Livepano.ru
| 
