Bleached Bones, a photo from Erongo, South

Photographer's Note

All that remains of the Benguela Eagle, a wooden hulled fishing boat which was wrecked in November 1975,are the bare bones bleached by sun, sea and wind.
An alternate view can be seen in the WS

In Namibia, a wild strip of white sand separates the old and hot Namibian Desert and the cold waters of Atlantic Ocean. “The Gates of Hell”, as the Portuguese sailors named this part of Africa, is nowadays known as The Skeleton Coast. The place the locals call “the Land God Made in Anger” is reminiscent of a ships graveyard; scattered here and there are the remains of the ships that crashed on one of the most dangerous and odd shores in the world.
The beach is named after the ships’ graveyard, but also the seal and whale bones one can find here from back in the days when the fishing industry was still active. The shore where many ships docked forever is 500 kilometres in length. When it was first explored, by the Swedish Charles John Andersson and his team, in 1859, the explorers were terrified. Over many years more than a thousand ships of various sizes litter the coast. In the 20th century, ships like Henrietta, Winston, Elly, Shaunee, Eduard Bohlen or Otavi found their end here.
Legends say that some people that survived the shipwrecks swam and crawled onto the beach but eventually died in the desert. Adverse weather conditions are responsible for the majority of the shipwrecks. The presence of the cold Benguela current results in dense ocean fogs for most of the year. Moreover, the wind blows from land to sea and there is an endless and heavy surf on the beaches.
Currently, Skeleton Coast National Park encompasses more than 16,000 sq km, starting at the Ugab River and ending at the Kunene.
This photograph is copyright of Rosemary Walden - © Rosemary Walden 2012. All rights reserved.
Any redistribution or reproduction of the image in any form is prohibited.
You may not, except with my express written permission, copy, reproduce, download, distribute or exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system

ourania, annjackman, papagolf21, jjcordier, Nard, bukitgolfb301, tyro, UlfE, williewhistler, timecapturer, delpeoples, bayno, kennyblack, MJR, ikeharel, ikeharel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (57594) 2012-07-19 9:00

Hi Rosemary,i like a lot the pics like this.It's enough something on the beach to create a magnificent result.I made the same whit flowers,branches or bottles.Spectacular solution,great quality and a virgin sand without human footprints.Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

wolf38 (28146) 2012-07-19 9:06

Hi Rosemary. A photo with artistic quality. In the masterful composition everything has its perfect place. Overall, very subtle and aesthetically. Best regards, Wolfgang.

ourania (12331) 2012-07-19 9:12

Hello Rosemary,
a very powerful simple composition which captures the character of the place and the spirit of your fascinating notes superbly. I love the marvellous depth that holds us fast into the frame, the exquisite clarity which makes us feel the textures, the wonderful lighting and vivid natural colours. It's amazing to see what the fishing boat is reduced to after not that many years. I like very much the colours and textures of your workshop photo as well. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a good evening,
Ourania

annjackman (13183) 2012-07-19 9:15

Hello Rosemary,
Lovely elements well organised in the frame. Hard to say any more because it is so perfectly done wrt to colour, POV, clarity etc. I keep fogetting to save great pictures in my favourites so will act now on this one.
Best wishes, Ann

serp2000 (29158) 2012-07-19 9:15

Hi, Rosemary,
This photo reminds me another your post "Dust To Dust" here. Attractive composition, splendid colours, perfect sharpness. very interesting story.
Best wishes from Russia,
Serghei

Royaldevon (17787) 2012-07-19 9:34

Hello Rosemary,

This is like the opening shot of a mystery or an adventure! It is a wonderfully composed shot with heaps of narrative elements! I felt a tingle when I looked at it!
It is just perfect with no other person in view, providing that solitude that makes you flesh creep. You daren't linger too long just in case ...!

Pity I can only give it 2 points!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

cornejo (17990) 2012-07-19 9:57

Hi Rosemary, great shot of these interesting remains of a ship on the beach, to me are like a person, I feel bad. A good image made with good technique and quality, very good and nice work my friend, congratulations. Tfs.
Good afternoon and happy weekend.
Best regards and best wishes.
Angel.

marcan44 (6223) 2012-07-19 11:40

Ciao Rosemary,
magnifica composizione verticale che esalta i resti del peschereccio inseriti nel contesto di una spiaggia di rara bellezza .
Ottimo lavoro eseguito con l'abituale maestria.
Have a nice day
Mario

PS. Molto interessante la nota!

papagolf21 (76495) 2012-07-19 11:53

Bonsoir, chère Rosemary,
Encore une superbe prise de vue (qui s'en plaindrait !!!)
d'un lieu qui semble sortir d'un rêve angoissant.
Ces éléments en bois rejetés sur la grève dynamisent avec talent cette superbe composition.
Amitiés.
Philippe

emilbo (20824) 2012-07-19 12:53

Allô Rosemary!
J'aime beaucoup les éléments de cette photo et ton oeil de photographe les a bien captés dans une excellente composition. Le bel éclairage et la qualité d'image sont là et le rendu des détails et des couleurs est parfait.
Toutes mes félicitations et merci de ta visite,
Emilius

marabu61 (3890) 2012-07-19 14:07

Hi Rosemary
An iconic picture of a shipwreck on the skeleton coast. There is lots of interesting details in the foreground to keep the eye busy.
Daniel

mauro61 (52527) 2012-07-19 14:10

ciao Rosemary,
hai scelto un POV perfetto in favore di luce per presentare la scena con questo legno che sembra venir fuori dalla sabbia.
Ottima tecnica e qualità,
un caro saluto
maurizio

JFS (32077) 2012-07-19 22:33

Your shots of Namibia are all fantastic! Different to others by their colors, atmopshere...You are lucky to photography this amazing land. Thanks for sharing Rosemary!

jjcordier (62280) 2012-07-19 23:11

Rosepary
Une excellente photo de ce morceau d'épave sur cette belle plage. Non seulement la qualité d'image est parfaite mais la photo "raconte" en plus une histoire.
Amicalement
JJ

Hellas (6503) 2012-07-19 23:27

Stunning composition, so spectacular!
An exceptionally tranquil and peaceful image!

Kind regards,
Athanasios.

Nard (6913) 2012-07-20 2:41

Hi Rosemay
Splendid composition for the topic, the framing with the diagonal and the quality of the shot. Good light management because even if the light seems strong the contrast is good and we can well see the texture of the wood. This picture makes me think about the end of the world with the sand over all things like in the movie "Rise of the Planet of the Apes".
Regards
Bernard

dkmurphys (36737) 2012-07-20 4:58

Hi Rosemary,
Wonderful beach scene. Something like this you cannot see anymore in Europe. Well taken, enjoy a fine weekend.

Daniel

francio64 (38188) 2012-07-20 4:58

Hi Rosemary,
sembra di vedere un missile pronto per essere lanciato.
Davvero originale.

TFS!
Francesco

mjw364 (3642) 2012-07-20 9:17

Hi Rosemary

A very well composed image. The horizon placed on the line of the third. The sea jutting in from the right to add pattern. Foreground interest with the rope emerging from the sands and the abstract structure of the beams of a shipwreck.

It reminds me almost of a whale skeleton after it had got lost and beached - its giant rib standing as the only testimony that it once lived.

As always - a pin sharp image.

Excellent - well done.

Mike

bukitgolfb301 (30053) 2012-07-21 1:07

Hi dear Rosemary

This is aother strongly imprresive iamge, via so clear and sharp focusing, so tasteful bright color touch, marvelous framework. I have to do a sigh. The shape of shade on the ground is the best role stabilize this great work. Thanks for your good work and have a good weekend!
Best reagrds,

Takero from Tokyo, rain after rain here

tyro (13043) 2012-07-21 3:40

Hello Rosemary,

A photograph which is striking in the extreme on account of its simple strong composition and the paucity of different colours. And, of course, the strong oblique lighting which has brought out the textures of the wood, rope and rusting metalware to best effect.

Perfect exposure, lovely true yet vibrant colours and, as always, stunning sharpness.

A most interesting note too about this doomed boat and this dangerous coastline.

Fabulous!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. Looking at your workshop picture, I really can't decide which I prefer as both pictures are excellent. On balance, perhaps, the inclusion of the piece of rope in the foreground of this one might just tip the balance in its favour.

UlfE (13728) 2012-07-21 7:10

Hi Rosemary,

A brilliant composition with the remnants of the fishing boat pointing up towards the top left corner and the horizon perfectly positioned. As usual very nice colours and perfect sharpness. Excellent and very good note. TFS and have an nice weekend!

Cheers,

Ulf

Tigerlily (2343) 2012-07-21 11:15

Beautiful work,Rosemary. Interesting composition, wonderful colour and light.. great work!

williewhistler (7257) 2012-07-21 12:31

Hello Rosemary,
this is a lovely combination of textures,shapes and colour in a thoughtful composition with lots of little triangles to feast upon enjoy.
Most enjoyable photography.
Best regards Les.

timecapturer (30256) 2012-07-22 3:07

Wow Rosemary!
this is a classic! Just love everything about this shot. The composition and light are just amazing as are the textures and sharpness. A really special image full of magical elements and executed flawlessly. Congratulations!!

Enjoy your Sunday - regards Brian.

delpeoples (44904) 2012-07-22 22:37

Hi dear Rosemary

A great title for a beautiful and very evocative photo. I love the blocks of colour, the choice of the vertical frame, the textures in the sand and of course your subject matter. There is a real sense of history and tragedy about shipwrecks and old ship graveyards. A wonderful subject, superbly taken, as usual.

Warm regards
Lisa

bayno (16149) 2012-07-25 0:15

Ciao Rosemary,
mimimalista beautiful composition, great light and perfect framing, great clarity that makes us see the perfect texture of the dried-out of old wooden boat, beautiful natural colors, perfect exposure with the ISO to 200 to add depth to the photo...very very nice...
warm regards,
Valter

kennyblack (4105) 2012-07-25 5:30

Hello Rosemary
Fantastic picture of great visual effect that looks like a perfect picture of some science fiction movie. The Perfect POV and the position of 'object, calls the' eye to see the beautiful color of the sky. Excellent light management and exemplary clarity, congratulations for this great shot.
The best greetings, have a nice day ... Marino

MJR (3141) 2012-08-02 6:16

Hi !

Virtually a stranger here now, it is good to hear from you.

I saw this and thought, 'Usain Bolt' !

You can tell how we are all struck down with Olympic fever here.

Had you composed these various elements yourself, you could not have done better. Nature is a marvel ! As it is, your chosen angle of attack, sorry POV, shows off the elements well, ( I think the cropped shadow jars, but it may be TOO long to be included. ) The thirds show up well, ( though it leaves a little too much blue around the tip of the timber for me, but then you could not have lost any sand to compensate... )

All round its about right !! But then, you knew that, as this would not have been idly posted ! Knowing you, it is all most particular and well considered.

Lovely true colours all look gorgeous, though I believe the sea may not be as inviting as you make it look ! And the blue sky - ahhh, to die for !

rgds
Martin

PS
Go well.. An expression I have only ever come across in Bridges of Madison County ! Are you a fan, as I am ?!

ikeharel (37254) 2012-12-16 6:53

Hello Rosemary,
I heared about the many wrecked boats and ships on the Namibia coastline, some are from old eras, and some from last century.
Looks as this had sunken in the dune... rather than in sea...
Picture has good clarity and well managed the light and WB on beach(which is not an easy task).
Good evening,
Ike

Photo Information

Copyright: Rosemary Walden (SnapRJW) (18690)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-04-08
Categories: Nature, Transportation, Artwork
Exposure: f/18.0, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): francio64 (My favourite/1), Decay, Your Favorites [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2012-07-19 8:53
Favorites: 2 [view]