Through the looking grass Photo

Photographer’s Note

Dotted around the countryside of South Africa you will see many of these steel windmills used for pumping water. In some places the local people even make minature versions from wire to sell as souvenirs.

My title I took inspiration from the story of Alice in Wonderland- through the looking glass.

robertosalguero, dareco, InasiaJones, japiey, Floydian, siolaw, npecanhuk has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

InasiaJones (20060) 2008-04-28 21:56

Salut chère Wanda,

This is a very cool shot, certainly one I would like to have in my portfolio. These steel windmills are so graphic and iconic, I wish I could live near one, so I could photograph it under every possible weather conditions.

The way you have done it is gorgeous; I definitely like the blurred background that makes the windmills look even sharper. The simplicity of the composition - one subject, one foreground and undisturbing background - makes the shot.

Off-centered in the frame and low angle make it standing tall with strong focus.

Excellent work!

André

aadilj (17950) 2008-04-28 22:25

This one is a break from from your style but is equally fantastic and wonderful. I love the way you have used the focus and the colours. great textures and tones Wanda. Superb...I wuz again away for the weekend!

japiey (9493) 2008-04-28 23:13

Hi Wanda,

Great shot.. Subject is well placed in frame, and the foreground objects given the blurry mood creates the beauty.
Good tones.
EXCELLENT.

jp

robertosalguero (110) 2008-04-29 0:28

Hello Wanda,

Very nice image. I posted a similar image not long ago. Windmills definitely make excellent subjects. They are attractive and enhance the view of the countryside very nicely. Your image is well composed, sharp and the light is perfect. Nice work Wanda.

Roberto

dareco (17104) 2008-04-29 0:30

I have just added this to my favorites. I love this windmills and 'through the grass' looks wonderful. A really beautiful picture. TFS

dvlazar (6474) 2008-04-29 2:09

Hey,
A great shot of the windmill from a unique and interesting POV. I like the amount of blur on the wheat stalks, and that the windmill is in perfect focus. Well done.
Dave

Jeppo (11836) 2008-04-29 3:59

HI Wanda,
it's right...I saw lots of them during my trip from Jo'burg to Sabie!
in the land where sun never goes down (is the translation of Mpumalanga, isn't it?) I experienced some pleasant rural landscapes...very particular because they look being somewhere between europe and africa.

have a nice trip to morocco...an excellent place for photos!
ciao
Silvio

Budapestman (41686) 2008-04-29 6:21

Hi Wanda,
Beautiful work, I like the creative composition and the splendid atmosphere, POV is great too. Very well done!
Have a nice day
George

Floydian (30970) 2008-04-29 9:45

Dag Wanda,
Wij hebben deze dingen niet meer in Nederland, maar in het buitenland vaak gezien amar nog nooit een goede foto van weten te maken. Daarom ben ik hier wel iets jaloers op want deze had ik graag zelf willen hebben.
Mooi hoe je dat gras hebt meegenomen in de compositie, maakt het beeld dynamischer en sterker in de kadering...heel mooi.
Groetjes, Henk

siolaw (25726) 2008-04-29 18:14

Hi Wanda,
A nice FG bokeh to give depth and lead the eye to the windmill, seemingly a common feature of SA's landscapes... Good framing and well saturated colors.
Greetings
Laurent

macondo (13075) 2008-04-30 6:37

Hello Wanda.
I really like the very low viewpoint and the blurred grass; you are brave to show so much out of focus in order to make the windmill stand out. We have a lot of these in Australia, too. The windmill is nicely placed just left of centre, and the point of view makes it seem to tower enormously. A very impressive minimalistic shot, that conveys very well the essence of this rural scene. Great title too!
Regards,
Andrew

euryan (8345) 2008-05-18 21:18

I like the low to high POV. The blurred grass is cool looking and I like the clever title. This photo gives me a sense of being a kid again, like I'm very small looking up towards the windmill.

ben4321 (9781) 2008-06-08 14:58

I see you've been posting a lot of good stuff lately Wanda, but out of your recent shots this one stood out at me the most - I really like the simplicity of it; just the long grass, sky and wind-pump.
The way you shot through the grass, while ensuring it remained out of focus has worked very well, giving a creative twist to what for you is no doubt an everyday scene.
I think I'd have placed the windmill slightly nearer the left edge of the frame, but the way you did it works well too.
Good work.

Cheers,
Ben

npecanhuk (13713) 2008-06-17 7:50

Hello Wanda!
I loved this picture!
It's simple but very eye-catching, extremely appealing! The play with blurred and sharp is fantastic and the result: a beautiful image!
TFS - Congratulations!
Greetings from Brazil,
Neyvan Peçanhuk

claire526 (1261) 2008-08-19 9:45

Hi Wanda,
The focus is superb here. I like yuor POV and composition where the subject is off center. Nice soft tones and the blurry forefront craving for attention creates a very nice mood.
TFS
Claire