This picture was taken on a black sandy beach at the foot of what appears to be an extinct volcano. The low mist lying on the ground and the patches of snow and ice on the slope of the volcano tell me it is cold. The white, bleak-looking sky increases this feeling. I have the impression it might be springtime in a northern land.
There are about 15 people on the beach, most of them wearing bright red parkas. It looks like the people may be taking part in an organised event. They don’t seem to be aware of the camera, and none of them is looking into it. Everyone is calmly moving about.
It looks like some or all of the people have been swimming. One man standing at the edge of the water is wearing nothing but swimming trunks. I would guess that he is about 50 or 60 years old. Even though he must be very cold, he and the people around him appear natural and relaxed. Another white haired person is sitting on the beach amongst the people in the parkas. This person is wrapped in a blanket and might be warming up after being in the water.
The strongest feeling this photo gives me is a sense of cold. The people in the picture must be very brave and a bit mad if they have been swimming in such a cold place.
"; slowniczek[1]="extinct - wygasły
mist - mgła
patches - płaty
slope - stok
bleak-looking - ponuro wyglądający
parka - ciepła kurtka z kapturem
event - impreza (wydarzenie, wycieczka, spotkanie)
edge - brzeg, skraj
swimming trunks - kąpielówki
wrapped - opatulony, zawinięty
warm up - rozgrzewać się
This picture creates feelings of pity. A young bear is muzzled and held by a rope. The person holding the rope is off camera, but I can see the rope is pulled very tight. The bear is sitting down, but it is rearing up with its front paws in the air. Its back is to the camera, but I can see its face in profile. The bear’s eyes look like they could be closed. Maybe it has given up.
A man in a period costume is prodding the bear with a long stick. The costume could be that of a historic military officer. His outfit is elaborate and trimmed with gold. His shoes are gold as well. He seems to be very certain the bear will not hurt him, as his body language appears relaxed and confident.
A young man is sitting behind them on the wall of the bridge. He doesn’t seem interested in the bear because he is looking at something off camera. Perhaps he is looking at the person holding the bear’s rope.
This might be a show for tourists, and maybe the young man is calling people to come and look. The bags lying beside the wall may belong to people watching the bear. It could be that the young man is with a group of tourists.
I am guessing they are in Florence or Prague, but it could be another old, European city. In the background along the river look I can see old, colourful buildings. When I look at this picture I feel sad for the bear. I don’t think a bear’s place is on a bridge in the middle of a city.
"; slowniczek[2]="pity - współczucie, litość
muzzled - w kagańcu
rope - lina, sznurek
tight - mocno
rear up - stawać na tylny nogach
paw - łapa
back - plecy
in profile - z profilu
give up - poddać się, zrezygnować, stracić nadzieję
period costume - historyczny strój, strój z (dawnej) epoki
prod - szturchać, dźgać, popychać
outfit - strój
elaborate - misterny, kunsztowny
trimmed - przystrojony, udekorowany
confident - pewny siebie
The photographer of this image has captured the beginning of a hot air balloon race or gala. He must be either in a balloon as well or on a hill as he has taken the photo from above. The balloons are brightly coloured and look beautiful against the rugged background. I think this might be in America because the trucks and vans parked near the balloons’ baskets appear to be North American vehicles. It could be the desert or near the desert because the balloons and trucks are on sand.
Four balloons have been set up and two more are being prepared. There are people in the baskets of the balloons that are up. They look very small from the angle of the photographer.
The scene looks peaceful but also gives a feeling of anticipation. The people are about to have an amazing experience, whether or not this is their first time in a hot air balloon. The clear, blue sky looks perfect for hot air ballooning.
"; slowniczek[3]="capture - uchwycić
gala - pokaz
rugged - surowy (o krajobrazie); poszarpany (o górach)
set up - wznieść
angle - kąt
anticipation - oczekiwanie, wyczekiwanie
This is an action shot, taken at a dog sledge race, possibly at the world famous Iditarod race in Alaska. In the foreground I can see entrant number 58 as he is making his way along the track. There are other spectators watching and taking pictures from behind the ropes on either side of the track.
The dogs can’t really be seen in the shot, except the back of the last dog in the harness. It is wearing a coat over its back, so the temperature must be very cold. The driver is also bundled up so that only his face is exposed. The people watching are also wearing heavy winter clothing.
I suppose this driver is leading the race or is last. There are no other racers to be seen on the track behind him. The sledges have made grooves in the snowy track. The snow appears hard and settled, as though it has been on the ground for a long time. It might be the middle or the end of winter.
This picture creates a solitary feeling when I look at it. The driver is alone on his sledge and there are no other racers near him. The crowd has thinned as he approaches and he looks like he might be heading off into the wilderness with only his dogs for company.
"; slowniczek[4]="sledge - sanie
entrant - uczestnik
spectator - widz
track - trasa
harness - uprząż
bundled up - opatulony
exposed - odkryty
groove - rowek, bruzda
settled - ubity
solitary - samotny; odludny, opustoszały
thin - przerzedzać (się)
approach - zbliżać się
head off - udawać się (w innym kierunku)
wilderness - pustkowie, odludzie
company - towarzystwo
This picture must have been taken in a library. It is either a school library or the children’s section of a public library. The cheerful yellow walls, the murals on the columns, and the brightly coloured rug give the impression that the space is meant for children. The tables and chairs sit lower than the librarian’s desk, so they must also be meant for children.
It is possible that this library is in a hot country. The fans on the ceiling could be there to keep the room from getting too hot. Also, I can see palm trees in pots just outside the glass doors in the background of the photo. These things make me think of hot climates.
The library is very clean and tidy and there are no users in it. It must be closed. The room seems to be waiting for people to fill it. This picture makes me think of learning and of order. Everything is in its place and ready for people to find it and use it.
"; slowniczek[5]="cheerful - radosny
mural - malowidło ścienne, fresk
rug - dywan
meant for - przeznaczony dla
fan - wentylator
ceiling - sufit
pot - doniczka
fill - wypełniać, zapełniać
order - porządek
I think this picture has been taken in South East Asia, perhaps in Thailand or Vietnam. A man is standing on a bundle of reeds or grass, which is floating on the water of a small river. He is leaning heavily on a very long pole and pushing himself towards or away from a small rowboat. Behind that boat there is a traditional looking boat made of woven grass or reeds. There are buildings on the bank opposite the man behind the tall grasses on the water’s edge. I can only see the rooftops clearly. They look to be made of metal.
The man in the photo has his back to the camera. I cannot see any of his face or his head at all because his denim hat covers him. He must be hot since he is working hard and is wearing a jumper. He also has a sweater tied around his waist. It looks like he is a small, wiry man who must be very strong to do such hard work. Only the skin on his hands and lower legs is visible. I think he must have rolled his trouser legs up to keep them dry.
The sky looks oppressive. The reflections from the water show that it is sunny, but I can see dark clouds forming in the sky across the river. It gives the feeling that it will rain soon. I’d imagine the man is doing his daily work in this hot environment.
"; slowniczek[6]="bundle - wiązka, pęk
reed - trzcina, sitowie
float - pływać, unosić się na wodzie
lean - przechylać się
pole - drąg, żerdź
rowboat - łódź wiosłowa
woven - pleciony
rooftop - dach, powierzchnia dachowa
denim - dżins
jumper - pulower
waist - pas, talia
wiry - szczupły, ale silny i gibki
roll up - zawinąć do góry
oppressive - przytłaczający, męczący
reflection - odbicie
environment - środowisko, otoczenie
This photo shows a night scene on a narrow street in a European city. I assume it is Paris because of the name of the hotel on the corner in the foreground. A lot of the signs are in English, but that will be for the tourists who are filling the street. One restaurant, in the foreground of the photo, has tables and chairs set up outside. Everyone is wearing a jacket, so I think it must be spring or autumn. The colour of the sky suggests it is earlier in the night. The lights on the street and the signs must have just come on before the photo was taken.
I imagine that most of the people in the picture are tourists. They seem to be looking at the sights or standing in groups. There is an empty space in front of the photographer where I can see the cobblestones on the street. People are walking on it, so I think this must be a traffic-free zone. The crowd is much more dense at the back of the photo where the street is narrow and busy with restaurants and bars.
This photo reminds me of holidays, especially European city breaks. The people in the picture seem to be enjoying themselves on a night out rather than rushing to be somewhere.
"; slowniczek[7]="assume - przypuszczać
fill - wypełniać, zapełniać
set up - wystawić
sights - atrakcje turystyczne
cobblestones - bruk, kocie łby
traffic-free zone - strefa, w której obowiązuje zakaz poruszania się pojazdów
dense - gęsty, zwarty, zbity
break - przerwa na odpoczynek, chwila wytchnienia
rush - gnać, pędzić
I believe this picture shows an outdoor market in China. All of the people in the photo appear to be locals. The sellers do not have stalls or stands, but lay their merchandise out on mats on the ground. The sellers are sitting on small stools at one end of their mats. People are walking in front of the mats and looking at the merchandise for sale. This might be the ceramic section of the market. The merchandise on all of the mats looks like it is made of china.
There are buildings on either side of this market with thin white sheets or awnings strung between them, maybe for shade, but the sun is beating down on the sellers anyway. In the background, the space opens onto a square that also looks like a market. Most of the people in this picture are busy shopping or minding their stalls. Only the woman on the first stall is looking at the camera. She isn’t smiling and doesn’t look interested in having her photo taken.
The most eye-catching aspect of this photo is the colour. The bright red flag hanging from the building on the left draws my attention. Also the colours of the mats and of the items for sale are varied and interesting.
This photo creates a busy feeling, but one of routine or boredom. The people don’t seem to be excited or to be doing anything they have not done before. Everyone is simply going about his or her usual business.
"; slowniczek[8]="outdoor market - targ na wolnym powietrzu
local - osoba miejscowa
stall - stragan
stand - stoisko, budka
merchandise - towar
mat - mata
stool - taboret, stołek
ceramic - materiał ceramiczny; ceramiczny
china - porcelana
awning - dach z płótna; markiza
strung - rozciągnięty
beat down - piec, palić (o słońcu)
square - plac
mind - pilnować
draw - przyciągać
attention - uwaga
item - rzecz, przedmiot, artykuł
boredom - nuda
go about - zajmować się
I think this picture was taken with a telephoto lens on a long, wide street in America. I suppose it must be either San Francisco or Los Angeles. The smog over the hills in the background and the buildings in the distance tell me it is a big city. The day must be warm as everyone is wearing light clothing.
I am guessing this is a parade for Chinese New Year. The street in the foreground is free of cars but there are people walking towards the camera. In the middle of the photo you can see two or three Chinese dragons. Two are very brightly coloured. People at the kerbs are carrying colourful balloons. The photographer has captured a natural moment. No one is posing, and no one is looking at the camera. Three people are walking toward the camera. One of them is carrying a case that looks like it might hold a flute and another is carrying drumsticks. Maybe they have been in the parade. Behind the crowd, I can see a row of police motorcycles. They must be keeping the traffic away from the parade.
When I look at this picture, I am reminded of celebrations and special days. I would like to be there to see the dragons moving.
"; slowniczek[9]="telephoto lens - teleobiektyw
kerb - krawężnik
capture - uchwycić
pose - pozować, udawać
case - futerał
drumsticks - pałeczki (do grania na perkusji)
row - rząd, szereg
As soon as I look at this picture, my eyes are drawn to the woman in the turquoise dress. She stands out because everyone around her is dressed in red and black uniforms. She immediately reminds me of Jennifer Aniston. If it is not, it is someone who looks a lot like her. This woman is probably a celebrity since she is so well dressed and is getting into or out of a limousine. It looks like she is speaking to someone inside the car.
Many of the people in the picture are looking at the woman in the turquoise dress. They are either working for her or are very curious about her. In the background you can see a man with a video camera, recording the scene from the other side. He will be able to see the woman’s face, so he will know who she is.
I am wondering if this is the night of the Academy Awards. There are signs on the lampposts for the 2005 Oscars. I think this must be Hollywood. The picture makes me think of glamour and of celebrity. I can see how being famous means that you never get any privacy. Most of us can get into a car without someone taking a photo.
"; slowniczek[10]="draw - przyciągać
turquoise - turkusowy
stand out - wyróżniać się
celebrity - znana osobistość; rozgłos, sława
curious - zaciekawiony, ciekawy, ciekaw (czegoś); ciekawski
glamour - urok, czar, blask, splendor, atrakcyjność