collective activities along the ocean Photo

Photographer’s Note

(Yes, another scanned photo from an old slide, and I’ll resume the Kyrgyz series later on – here, I struggled a lot with the "noisy" sky and still not totally satisfied, otherwise did not change much else - strange kind of weather and terribly humid in that area !)

Like Gorée island near Dakar in Senegal, Cape Coast, east of Accra in Ghana is a pilgrim place because it is from there (the infamous "fort Christina") that over the centuries, thousands of slaves were being deported aboard vessels crossing the Atlantic.

For me, the most moving moment was when I heard at night a lone African American woman who was staying in the same bungalows, singing in the dark all alone in front of the ocean a terribly nostalgic song with such pain and sorrow, as if she was mourning not only for her ancestors, but for all the suffering having happened along this portion of the ocean (the Guinean golf).

This « perspective cavalière » was taken from the fort, which is now a museum ; behind it is an amazingly lifely fish market, but taking a full view of it is unfortunately impossible, too crowded and no elevated position.

xuaxo, batalay, siolaw, jean11-3, rigoletto, pasternak, papagolf21, Partha_c, salvator, holmertz, stego, atus, japiey, faubry, ChrisJ, eversmile, Vasa, erhan1958 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Polonaise (5634) 2007-11-15 11:23

Catherine Douxchamps is back...

Better than ever...!!!

Magnificent presentation, Cath..
One of those that happened only once in a while.

A photography at its best...

g.

jonathan_hart (22570) 2007-11-15 11:48

bonjour Catherine
excellent cadrage et superbes contrastes, la vue est belle et la photo est très réussie :D)
quell belle prise !
amicalement
jo

jean11-3 (2799) 2007-11-15 12:07

An intriguing view across the bay Catherine.I like the little figures,almost in silhouette,bringing the beach to life.
The sky is a bit strange but it really does not detract from the impact of the scene.
Tfs, regards Jean.

rigoletto (26100) 2007-11-15 12:49

Hi Dear Cath!
If every farewell was to be so beautiful, we would always want to leave...
One consolation is waiting for your new marvels along the Atlantic coast.
Take care, and enjoy your trip...
Hugs,
Deniz

papagolf21 (56159) 2007-11-15 14:28

Bonsoir, mon amie Catherine,
De retour de la campagne, je reprends les manettes (enfin le clavier) !
Quelle belle photographie (l'argentique possède un je ne sais quoi de subtilité que l'on ne semble pas retrouver dans le numérique - peut-être est-ce une idée).
Une note très bien rédigée. Une photographie très bien composée (même si le ciel n'a pas retrouvé toute sa splendeur) ; mais c'est déjà extraordinaire de redonner ce superbe éclat à cette diapositive.
P.S. : Lors de ta dernière critique, tu m'as proposé (très amicalement)deux châteaux, je n'ai point vu de châteaux en atelier ?
Amitiés.
Philippe

berek (28849) 2007-11-15 20:56

Hi Catherine,
interesting beach with waves. I feel nature power from this picture. nice view my friend.
have a nice day.
Burak Erek

Partha_c (1985) 2007-11-15 22:13

Hi Cath. Like you, me too feel jittery while leaving the site and sight of the seas, the hills, the sunrise and the sunset. This shot had a lot of depth more to feel than to see. Your note too is laced with emotional touch. I can visualise the woman you mentioned. I could feel that she sang songs of sorrow , songs of longing. I remembered Shelly's line from "To a skylark' -- Our sweetest songs are those that tell our saddest thoughts. TFS & Regards.
Partha

siolaw (25720) 2007-11-15 22:18

Salut Catherine,
Tu nous fais faire des bonds d'un pays a l'autre! ;D Belle vue de cette immense plage, avec la moitie du village qui remonte un filet... les couleurs et contrastes sont bien rendus, surtout que c'est un scan.
Intéressant
Bon voyage au Maroc, alors!
Laurent

pasternak (13214) 2007-11-16 0:45

Amazing shot, Catherine, and its impact is much stronger when one also considers the note that goes with it, a perfect TE contribution! A shot to explore, to feel... to dream... Great work, really.

Cheers
Alexander

delkoo (34158) 2007-11-16 1:29

bonjoue catherine
effectivement, on voyage beaucoup avec toi....
super lumiere et composition, c'est vrai que le ciel sombre apporte enormement a la photo.

didier

salvator (18763) 2007-11-16 2:28

Bonjour Catherine,
To tell you the truth, this is one of the best beach photos I have seen. The way it is composed, the sharpness and the amopunt of sharp details are impressive. The thinning out of the wave's foams, the tones and colors are just superb.
Amities. Salvator.

holmertz (9528) 2007-11-16 3:36

Hello Catherine,
A superb picture with a very special atmosphere, due to the very saturated colours. A lot of interesting activities going on at the beach.
Regards,
Gert

lestans (15448) 2007-11-16 10:08

Ciao Catherine!
che immagine commovente, penso a quando l'oceano si presentava davanti a quei poveretti trascinati via come schiavi, verso chissà quali dolori.
Sono cose che fanno rabbrividire.
Qui nella tua foto il cielo è scuro, severo, triste.
Ma il lavoro dei pescatori continua sempre

Ciao!
Livia

Silvio1953 (41438) 2007-11-16 10:41

Ciao Caterina, mi hai spiazzato completamente, dalle steppe dell'Asia all'africa nera, hai un aereo molto veloce, bella vista di mare con splendida luce, ti auguro un buon week end, con Amicizia, Silvio

stego (22350) 2007-11-16 14:49

Salut Catherine,

Une vue superbe, très bien composée et avec des couleurs et contraste très attirantes. La différence de la lumière ensoleillée du FG fais un beau contraste. La qualité de la digitalisation et PP me parais très bonne; les seules choses qui sont moins bien sont ces zones plus foncées et le ciel, mais ça ne nuit pas beaucoup le grand impact visuel de la photo.

Je te souhaite une bonne voyage pour le Maroc, un pays que j'aime beaucoup pour tous les raisons.

Amicalement, José.

kensimage (8539) 2007-11-17 8:26

A bright foreground set against a dark sky--a sure ingredient for photographic success, if you use it well. And indeed you used it beautifully, Catherine, showing us ordinary daily activity in a wondrous setting. The colors fit together perfectly. It's true that the problems with the sky detract a bit, but I have no helpful suggestions. Certain kinds of slides just don't scan well. Fortunately, that's not the part of the image where the eye is led. Regards, Ken.

Lesdedecker (17) 2007-11-17 11:40

Salut,
Sur ces plages africaines, on voit des choses extraordinaires mais c'est difficile de les capter aussi bien que dans cette photo!
Merci.

Rinie_Hoff (9332) 2007-11-18 13:17

Hey Catherine! That's not bad what you are going to do, or actually are doing right now! When I see this coastline, I would LOVE to follow you.
This is a wonderful photo of a very rugged coastline that dwarfes the people who are on the beach.
I hope you'll have a wonderful time!

tober (3944) 2007-11-18 14:31

Bonjour Catherine,

The appearance of the ocean is like a painting, rather than a photo. I liked the contrasting colours of white waves against the golden yellow beach. The people by the sea and the palm trees at the further side form a good composition.

Kind regards,

Tolga

atus (15452) 2007-11-19 3:07

Hi Catherine,
apart the sky, the scan is of very good quality, considering that the white of the foam dominates the picture and is not burnt. Gret and effective pov for a fantastic perspective for the coast and its daily life. Well done and have a good time in Marocco!
Attila

japiey (9491) 2007-11-20 4:43

Hi Cath.

Thats a beauty....
My Salutes to you...

Excellent capture.

Take care, dear Cath.

jean paul

faubry (32277) 2007-11-21 1:50

Bonsoir Cath, alors tu es au Ghana, sur cette splendide plage... tu as de la chance car ici il tombe des cordes....une très bonne qualité de scan; bonne continuqtion
amicalement
francine

crckt (7072) 2007-11-23 11:56

Hi Cath,
WOW! This one is a superb shot. The colors are really breathtaking. The composition is superb. Really well taken.
Regards,
Shaeri

jackart (5542) 2007-11-24 1:30

Hello Catherine!

Very impressive place good captured. I like this exotic landscape with magnificent white waves. This coast looks very attractive. i can almost feel a smell of wet warm wind. Great contrast colors and quality!

Regards
Jacek

prumod (8258) 2007-11-25 8:01

it's a nice view, dear cath...
you covered this shore, land and daily life beautifully....
greetings...

rbcy1974 (20742) 2007-11-27 4:05

Bonjour Catherine
Une photo tres dramatique, on dirait un revue type Geo.
La perspective est excellente,
les coleurs aussi mais surtout la vairete de detailes qui nous font respierer la ambiance de cete plage,
tres bien fait
A+
Daniel

Leonie (8641) 2007-11-27 4:58

Bonjour, elle est très belle cette photo..superbes contrastes et couleurs! Bravo, Léonie

batalay (20810) 2007-11-27 12:44

Hello Catherine,

This is a haunting image with a complementary powerful note. I once emailed Adam Silverman, the founder/operator of Trekearth, whether it would be possible to put some music as accompaniment for images. I would love to hear our "...lone African Ameican woman...singing in the dark all alone in front of ocean."

When I posted an image of Light Through the Trees, I had recommended Bach Tocata and Fugue as an accompaniment. Since then I've reconsidered, it should be Beethoven's Symphony #6 "Pastoral" but the slow movement.

Very very good photo.

Bulent

ChrisJ (70019) 2007-11-29 2:15

Bonjour Catherine

I like the repetition of the scalloped waves on the beach. Nice colour contrasts of blue & green. Good sharpness & pov overlooking the beach. Amicalement!

xuaxo (5693) 2007-12-01 11:07

Hi Cath,
Very good photo of men at work, in a great landscape.
(I don't care about he scanning quality.)
Regards,
F

Angshu (33551) 2007-12-03 19:55

Hello Cath
Good to see you back, with a fabulous image. the light FG and the dark BG is the ideal recipe for a beauty. the high POV, the waves leaving foam on the rocks, the boats, the ant like people..everything works wonderfully for the eyes. This is good work indeed!
Best Regards
Angshu

pablominto (40402) 2007-12-05 6:43

Hello Catherine,
A fascinating beach scenery!
The strong surf rolling in from the Atlantic adds life, and I notice the activity going on probably pulling the nets...
Amazing light results in fine colours, and the composition is well balanced and with fine details!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Edyta_B (1195) 2007-12-07 12:29

Hi Catherine
A very old and interesting, exotic photo. Well captured and lovely colours. The little silhouettes of men looks very nice and let to show enormity of the sea.
Regards

eversmile (5997) 2008-10-05 2:22

Hi Catherine

I like your shot a lot, which, despite the anomalies of the scan, is full of qualities. The warm colors of the scenery offer a strong contrast with the threatening sky, the activity on the shore and the rough of the sea introduce a lot of energy on th pic, and high POV allows a good perspective. That's well framed and your note, very touching, is worth to be read. Bravo!
Marine

Vasa (5368) 2008-10-25 6:41

La galerie de Ghana est honoree par ta presence. Une vue qui donne une idee complete sur cette rive. Tu l'as realise d'un point de vue optimal et profite la lumiere qui provoquait la meilleure palette. La presence des humains n'est pas sans action. En general, une belle photo d'un coin du monde que je ne verrai jamais moi meme. Mais, tu es la pour eclairer la planete. Compliments et amities, chere Catherine.

Branko

Yves-triga (3356) 2009-05-08 3:49

Hello Catherine,
Very nice large view,
i like this coast in activity,
best composition.
a good job
yves