Andisabe is a village adjacent to a national park where Lemurs, the national animal of Madagascar can be seen. In colonial times, the stop was a significant tourist attraction hosting this large railroad station that housed a large waiting room and a restaurant. Passenger train service in Madagascar no longer exists and has not existed since shortly after independence from France, because the government did not have the resources to maintain the service. Now the tracks are mostly abandoned and, in many places, serve as walkways for people. Close to large population centers, the abandoned tracks proliferate with stalls and stands of people selling a variety of merchandise in impromptu pop-up markets. From time to time, a freight train rumbles through bringing products from the coast inland, but these are very few and far in between.
Gear: Olympus E-5, Zuiko 18-180mm, opened to 56.6mm Data: ISO 200, f 8, 1/400 sec.
Metering: Center-Weighted Average
WB: Auto
EV: -.3
Date Image created: October 19, 2022
6 comments posted
Dr. Isaac Vaisman
Alan, the building looks in pretty good condition considering that Madagascar became independent from France since 1958 when the negotiations started. I like the angle you used to create this image and now the train trackks work as anice leading line. The image is sharp, and the colors nicely managed. Posted: 04/03/2025 12:59:55
Vinaya Mathews
Nice sharp shot of vintage building, The brick colour of the station at b/g of blue sky & green trees look great. Diagonal composition is lovely, adding beauty to the premises.
Only I wished, there should have been people to add life to the image. But of course, the narration rules out that possibility.
Overall nice photo Posted: 04/08/2025 04:04:01
Alan Lichtenstein
Actually, there were people. Curiosity seekers from my tour group looking at the abandoned buildings. I waited until the finished perusing the abandoned station and took my shot. It would have been nice had the station been in actual use and there were passengers waiting. that would have given more life to the image. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Posted: 04/08/2025 06:21:08
Vinaya Mathews
True Posted: 04/15/2025 01:06:06
Dr Edward Goldenberg
I like the complimentary colors and the sharpness. I tried to eliminate the tracts but that took away from the story. However I did crop out some of the foreground Posted: 04/18/2025 10:37:38
Mandy Vien
Alan, Good narrative allowing us to learn more about this image. Nice capture with the leading lines.
