Zanzibaaaaaaaaa....

Critiques [Translate]

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• happypoppeye (3748)
• [2007-08-30 13:54]
• [+]

Well, Luko, I say your one of the best on the site and this only backs up my words.

Great catch. Spontaneous yet refined. Colors are good. Composition is excellent, with perfect timing catching the boy on the air, arms outspread, ready for the big splash. The bicycles in the corner are perfectly placed and the boats in the background are the onlooking crowd, cheering the boy on. Good note to compliment the photo also.

Great work.
John

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• naxius (16675)
• [2007-08-30 13:54]
• [+]

Salut Luko,
Ta note est très intéressante et lorsque je suis allé au Sénégal, cela a été également difficile de prendre naturellement les gens en photos sans avoir de suite tout un groupe devant toi réclamant des devises!!

Une superbe photo, hyper dynamique...et quelles couleurs! J'adore!
Alex

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• teutza (10074)
• [2007-08-30 13:57]

well i'm sorry about your disapoinment....it's usually happening this when we expect to much from something..or someone..:)
anyway...i'm very pleased with your image..i really like it a lot!!!!:)
teo

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• fayeulle (24757)
• [2007-08-30 14:14]

Hi Luko
Voici un cliché que je trouve super... C'est tout le dynamisme de ce gosse qui transparait dans cet image. C'est très difficile à faire. Alors chapeau !
Cordialement
JP

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• fabdemacedo (379)
• [2007-08-30 14:14]
• [+]

Hello, I understand you were disappointed to see Zazibar full of tourist, maybe it could be better to visit the island in april or may during the low season (rainy period) it's really different...there's no tourist, athmosphere is really different, I'm used to work there sometimes and I know that july august and september are 3 months to avoid if you want to see something more authentic...I hope you will try to come another time out of this period...your picture is a typical scene during high tide,well captured. I wanted to try to cut the picture and keep the guy without the bikes, just to see but I don't know how to do workshop...
My best regards.
Fabien.

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• designsoul (21340)
• [2007-08-30 14:20]

Luko! Missed you.
Hm, what a disappointment--I mean the shattering of your expectations. Loved the title already, I can hear you sing or say it...:-)--and then reality comes. Outstretched arms, greeting, and then the fall. Pretty symbolic. But the shot itself is of course far from disappointing--that turquoise green of the ocean, the fine classic composition, the threepartite division between air, water and earth, with the beautiful boy to bridge the three.
Glad you are back--am off to my Budapest pilgrimage next week, all being well...
sasa

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• tehanu_f (6718)
• [2007-08-30 14:30]

Sorry to hear that, Luko. Having experienced this several times, I know what it is like to get disappointed in such cases. Anyway, at least you've seen it. As for the photo, clearly your journey to Zanzibar is worthwhile. You captured the boy at a great moment. He throws the bike aside and jumps into the water at once. Your photo reflects his excitement, impatience and happiness. Well done.
Regards from Turkey.
Fusun

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• rozy975 (3041)
• [2007-08-30 14:45]

Excellent composition, Luko and your note written in clear disapointment.
I felt same in many places I have visited.
You have to run from the touts when you should have enjoying the sites.
Your photo reflect the young boy in joy.
Well done!

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• AnimeshRay (8808)
• [2007-08-30 15:31]

Wow! What a marvelous take! Fantastic timing, but more importantly the division of the frame is just perfect. Terrific color too.

Loved your writing. Disappointing, yet the name is so mythical I think I would rather disbelieve you but prefer not to verify!

Animesh

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• bwiti (6020)
• [2007-08-30 15:37]

Quand je pense à Zanzibar, je pense à Rimbaud qui toute la fin de sa vie, même croupissant, amputé d'une jambe à Marseille, bouffé par un cancer, il continuait à se promettre de repartir et aller un jour à Zanzibar... Terres des mille uns désirs...
Et puis j'ai cru comprendre par la suite qu'il n'en était plus rien, qu'évidemment le rouleau compresseur du tourisme avait fait son office... Alors voila, je ne souhaite plus y aller et garde en tête les délires d'un mourrant pour seule représentation de cette mythique... En tout cas bienvenue au bled et content de retrouver tes photos...

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• partha (13144)
• [2007-08-30 18:29]

Like an NG shot. captured at the perfect moment.
Regards.
Partha

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• s10001in (1456)
• [2007-08-30 20:31]

ummmmm,

Nice Photo for its true natural color & wonderful presentation.
Sorry but ....Looks like lovely picture post card.

Warm Regards,

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• sidstakes (764)
• [2007-08-30 20:44]

This is as good as it gets...Luko style...

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• ndb1958 (9228)
• [2007-08-30 20:54]

sad about your disapointment. About the picture just the opposite. Full of power and joy. Simply beautiful. Great colours, Nino.

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• prezntime (3939)
• [2007-08-30 20:57]

I'll tell you what I like about this shot...the colors. No over saturation that is so apparent with the digital boom.
I read an article with someone about how color photography is starting to look all the same because of the lack of film choices...Now, I don't fully agree, I think some great things can be done with digital; but his words still hover.

Have we become to aware of what is right and lost what is good?

I like how the sky is a true shade of blue and white...I like the motion and the arrangement of the shot.

Maybe it would have been nice to see the young man occupy just a tad more of the frame...just nitpicking.

Good shot, tasteful.

Chris.

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• geist_21 (611)
• [2007-08-30 22:06]

You caught a very nice moment here with the kid just jumping, and the way the bikes are positioned makes it a very good composition since we can have an idea not only of the moment (the jump) but what came before (the kids arriving on bike, etc.)

As only remark is that the tones seem a bit blueish, i don't know if it is a problem of my PC, an d of course most of the photo is covered with blue elements, but even so seems a bit too blue

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• berek (23968)
• [2007-08-30 22:17]

Hi Luko,
active picture. very good timing and framing. well done. have a nice weekend.
B.Erek

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• plimrn (16842)
• [2007-08-30 22:26]

Hi Luko,
I'm glad you at least got this wonderful photo in spite of your disappointment. I thought Animesh's comment was the best of all; the sky is perfect and his thought, "yet the name is so mythical I think I would rather disbelieve you but prefer not to verify!" mirrors mine.
Wiahing you health, love & joy, Pat

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• InasiaJones (16828)
• [2007-08-30 23:22]

Salut Luko,

Presqu’autant que tes photos, tes commentaires sont toujours intéressants et/ou font état d’une réflection personnelle ressentie.

À la lumière de ta note, je comprends encore mieux la valeur de cette photo, empreinte d’une trop rare authenticité. Le moment est excellent, de même que la pose et la lumière.

Toutefois, je ne suis pas convaincu que le large espace à droite était nécessaire dans la composition et peut-être qu’en coupant entre le bateau blanc et le noir, l’attention aurait davantage été concentrée sur le plongeur.

Je sais que tu n’es pas un apôtre de la retouche et je le respecte, mais j’aurais été tenté d’effacer les quelques bateaux parasitaires qui s’imposent dans la scène en interférant avec le sujet, entre ses deux bras . Cependant, l’inclusion des vélos augmente l’aspect ludique de la photo.

Bon retour!

André

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• ktanska (13063)
• [2007-08-30 23:56]

Hi Luko,
Joy of boys... I see so much energy on that jump and I can imagine how he appeared there full speed with that bike. Also ships in the background are interesting. A sad note, that's something that TV travel programs don't tell.
Kari

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• smarcell (9533)
• [2007-08-31 0:12]

A very nice capture. Just in the peerfect moment. It shows the joy of the guy, who left the bike there for a dive. I can here him shouting. Your gallery is very interesting. I will have a look ! Cheers Stefano

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• rbcy1974 (20528)
• [2007-08-31 0:51]

Hello Luko
I am glad that to see you are back.
Its too bad that Zanzibar didn't meet your expectations. At least this photo came out good, nice froen moment, and nice boats on the backround. I found a similar situation in ethiopia regarding people's expectations of money for photos, a guy I met there joked that they all suffered from a Claudia Schiffer complex. Many times it was the old camera at the waist trick that allowed me to take photos of people without being harrassed or posed at.
Cheers
Daniel

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• Furachan (0)
• [2007-08-31 0:59]

Yes it would be fine even without the bikes, but WITH the bikes, it takes on an even better flavor. And then there are the distant ships...yachts, cruise ships, humble fishing vessels.
Perfect timing.
A HAPPY shot.......not
-F

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• savask (1667)
• [2007-08-31 1:13]

Hey this is apurely journaistic photo. The way uou managed to capture him in the air and the color exposures are state of the art

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• faubry (28941)
• [2007-08-31 1:41]

hello Luko, tu as raison le fric est dans toutes les bouches et je crois que c est un peu de la faute des touristes qui donnent a tort, et ma foi ils ont pris l habitude et si quelqu un n accepte pas de donner du fric, il est mal vu, je suis comme toi, je me refuse a en donner, plutot que de crediter cette forme de nous voir comme des vaches a lait, il y a beaucoup d autres moyens d aider style apporter dans nos valises quelques crayons ou autres choses pour les enfants, oui l Asie est differente, une dignite mais aussi une grande soumission et acceptation de leur sort je pense? mais peut etre que si l on va plus dans les terres nous rencontrons des gens moins abimes par le tourisme ravageur mais sans doute utile pour certains....
en tout cas cette photo est tres dynamique et apres avoir lu ta note, je me dis que cet homme s enfuit de Zanzibar.... a juste titre... vite ailleurs, fuir la societe de consommation qui a envahie mon pays....
j avoue que tout de meme j aime l Afrique avec ses travers, dans le village ou je vais pas de soucis de ce genre, il faut dire que mes voyages sont percus differement et que je refuse a me faire arnaquer dans les rues de la capitale, comme tu le fais aussi.
a tres bientot
francine

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• luisafonso (13460)
• [2007-08-31 2:29]

Can you please ask him to fly just a bit to the right at the same time he pulls the boats a little to the left not to overlap them? Please? :)))) You know me... always following the rules of thirds! :) It's a great photo Luko. Colors are great. And so is the moment in which you decided to click. Not much more to say here. You indeed are one of the best on the side and this only backs John's - and mine - words! ;)

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• ALSOM (6616)
• [2007-08-31 2:49]
•  [Show CommentHide Comment] [+]

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• Elaine_Blath (8570)
• [2007-08-31 4:44]

Hi Luko,

great capture, perfect moment, well composed...

Take care, Ivana

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• vapours (7764)
• [2007-08-31 5:18]

Well at least this kid wouldn't have caught you out I guess.

These type of images always do a good job of showing joy, and for me its easy to forget that places in this part of the world do have some beautiful blue oceans, away from all the red sand. Wouldn't say this is up there with the best of yours or of this genre, but I think you've succeeded in what you wanted to do.

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• Darren (6803)
• [2007-08-31 6:29]

Strangely, my earliest memory of Zanzibar is from a Billy Joel song. Damn you, you now have the tune going through my head and I am by no means a Billy Joel fan.

It is a nice shot; full of life, happiness and nice colors. It reminds me of one from Philip Coggan from all those years ago, although his was just of the calf and foot, it is somehow the same for me. I wouldn't have minded if you were just a fraction later on the shutter, but that is tiny. Nice one and a good note too.

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• markoci (3877)
• [2007-08-31 8:38]

not too crazy about this one, a rather cliche shot imo.. quite suprised you uploaded this, i think it reflects your disappointment (sorry to hear)... you get my two points though for that right hand and the absolutely fabulous quality despite the noon sun..

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• melmcree (2253)
• [2007-08-31 12:14]

What a fantastic capture. A wonderful example of childhood innocence and reckless abandonment. An adult would have stood at the edge wondering if the water was deep enough but the kid, no way.........ZANZIBAaaaaaaaa. A lovely image!

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• lestans (12964)
• [2007-08-31 14:29]

Oh Luko what a fantastic wonderful flight!!!
Great, great!

Livia

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• devimeuxbe (48687)
• [2007-08-31 16:49]
• [+]

Salut Luko
C'est drole de te voir poster sur Zanzibar. Je suis intéressé aussi par ton commentaire.
Comme tu le sais je suis allé pas mal là bas, même si le grand spécialiste c'est Fabdemacedo qui est presque devenu un local.
Je n'ai pas vraiement eu la même impression que toi. C'est toujours très différent de rester pour travailler et de passer.
C'est vrai comme le dit Fabien, il y a une courte période touristique ou tous les "casse couilles" du continent débarquent pour harceler les touristes. Mais nous n'avions plus ces problèmes dès qu'ils avaient repéré qu'on travaillait là bas.
Zanzibar, c'est surtout passionnant pour le choc des cultures Arabes et Africaines. Le vieux Stone Town est tout de même assez fascinant, même si (et surtout si) tout est défraichi.
Moi j'ai beaucoup aimé Zanzibar.
Ton image est classique le soir sur le port. Très bon ton cadrage avec le vélos.
Amicalement
Bertrand

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• Curioso (8926)
• [2007-09-01 2:24]

Salut Luko, une scène de dessin animé ? Le type qui fonce et qui au milieu de la chute s'aperçoit qu'il va se ramasser ? C'est l'impression qui ressors de cette photo pour moi.

Pour ta note, ouais... C'est moche ces lieux mythiques qui disparaissent. A la fin de l'année, je pense aller sur un autre ancien comptoir colonial Omano-musulman : les îles de Lamu au Kenya. J'espère qu'il y reste un petit parfum d'authenticité.

Pour la mendicité touristique, je deviens malheureusement un dur à cuir en envoyant bouler le moindre Camerounais qui me dit "donnes-moi l'A'gent !!!" sous pretexte que j'ai pris une photo du rocher de son village... Alors ta note ne m'étonne pas.

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• brevbrev14 (20574)
• [2007-09-01 9:15]

Hi Luko, you break my dream about Zanzibar with your note... :((
i had your same dream about this country...about the colours and spices..about the people and the places..

The image is fantastic, with a great decisive moment full of lige, energy and joy..
i like a lot!
ciao!
Valeria

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• eleparc (24039)
• [2007-09-03 4:59]

note pleine d'emotions et de déception...mais belle note néanmoins! J'aime bcp ce gamin qui plonge avec tes illusions dans l'eau turquoise. beau cadrage!
Eric

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• yanseiler (6565)
• [2007-09-03 8:32]

avant-plan, fond, sujet tout y est sauf que je ne le trouve pas extraordinairement placé ce sujet, il se pète un peu les dents contre les petites barques de pêcheurs au loin :) Mais bon triste ton histoire du coin, ça ne donne pas tellement envie d'y mettre les pieds... Un ami avec qui j'ai discuté ce week-end m'en a dit de même sur l'amérique du sud, tu prends une photo dans la rue et on vient t'insulter comme ça sans même être entré dans la sphère intime... Pas mal l'Asie quand même...

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• dolin (15647)
• [2007-09-04 2:59]

Il essaie de te fuir en se lancant dans le vide ? ;)
Superbe ce cadrage, la position des vélos....rolala
Pis bon, le timing est bien sympa, meme si j'aurais presque eu envie de le voir totalement "sur" l'eau...
Les teintes, le moment, la vie de la photo, la dynamique....ouais voilà quoi, BRAVO !
fred

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• arturo (31)
• [2007-09-04 7:30]

Hi Luko,

witty and equally nostalgic and partly sad note...the company of those ships in a distance may look pretty figurative for this shot i suppose...cheers, arturo

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• presidente (912)
• [2007-09-07 23:49]

Hi Luko,
excellent picture and excellent description of Zanzibar where I've been this summer and I was really disappointed as you were.
About the photo: Great catch with really good colors. The timing catching is perfect, maybe IMO, the POV could be a little lower to have the higher orizon and the boat not behind the boy.
But I know you cannot know how high he would have jumped....
TFS, Andrea

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• zeca (18572)
• [2007-09-10 10:00]

Very nice timing, Luko! Perfect capture! Everything is nice, but the flying boy is the best part..
Regards,
Zeca

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• p_m_geraldes (774)
• [2007-09-12 9:02]

Hi, Luko

What a great moment you got here. The guy is perfectly sharp, but his movement is transmited despite that. There was no need to use a slow shutter speed. You got him in the perfect place of the photo... not in the thirds? I like that.

Regards
Pedro

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• coco (23741)
• [2007-09-18 15:28]

Hi Luko.

Good timing. You shot just in the right moment and it looks a funny an impressive moment.
Well done.

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• aralda (2881)
• [2007-09-19 3:55]

Great shot, Luko!
As for the note, I'd say come to Romania. It's a photographer's heaven. Some people in rural Romania are fascinated by the camera. They will sit still and will not move unless you tell them to. :-) Sometimes that spoils the photo moment, but you cannot hold it against them.:)
Raluca

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• dilane (9843)
• [2007-09-20 15:04]

Bonsoir Luko
C'est "bwiti" qui parle de ta photo et c'est ainsi que je visite ta galerie - ce plongeon est pris au bon moment - bien vu - regards
daniel

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• MayaG (2173)
• [2007-09-24 7:22]
• [+]

Ha ha, well sorry Monsieur, but anywhere in Africa being my dream destination I won't listen to you and hope to be disappointed someday myself! (yes I know, it's about Zanzibar only)
interestingly enough, seems like this photo has been the community fav from all your Africa photos, so far at least. I browsed your PBase gallery, and I admit I am totally impressed. Now, my secret hope is that you'll post the second picture in the 4th line there so i can take it as an immediate favourite ;)))
Marija

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• maciekda (19436)
• [2007-10-09 10:56]

sweet image Luko, a must have shot from Zanzibar, nice compo with the bike in the corner, I only wish those boats were not touching his hands, nice