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Vilamendhoo Palms


Vilamendhoo Palms
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Jenkin (rushfan2112) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 688 W: 56 N: 799] (2885)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-07
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon D200, Nikkor 17-55mm AF-S DX f2.8G IF ED, Marumi Circular Polarizer 77mm
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-12 13:10
Viewed: 3871
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I've been rather neglectful of TrekEarth over the last month or so - but rather by necessity. My excuse (reason?) is that I've just got married....!

Although it was a modest wedding by modern standards, it took an awful lot of organising at a time when work was also manic. Therefore, I'm really sorry that I've not had the chance to post and critique as much as I'd like to have done.

Anyway, here's a photo (from our honeymoon) of what is probably a fairly typical Maldivian scene.

We sort of mis-timed the honeymoon in the sense that we caught the wet and windy south-west monsoon season.

It doesn't rain all the time - we had about 8 days of stunning sunshine out of the 14 day holiday. Only 2 days were a complete wash-out.

When it was hot, it was dangerous to be out in the direct sun without bucketfulls of factor 25 for more than about an hour at a time!

Anyway, Vilamendhoo is an island about 800 metres long and 300 metres wide. It is on the south east edge of the Ari Atoll about 30 minutes by air taxi from Male (the capital) and less than one degree north of the Equator.

The island sits east-west along its longest axis and the interior is jungle - although this is being partially cleared to build a spa facility.

The island you can see in the distance is another "resort" island called "Lily Beach". Although it's about half the size of Vilamendhoo, it provides facilities for about a third more people than Vilamendhoo (440 compared to about 350).

Under the palm trees is a small, shaded lagoon popular with young and juvenile Black-Tipped Reef Sharks and Stingrays. They apparently stay there until they outgro the superb house reef and swim to live in the deeper, open water.

Contrary to the paranoia about sharks, even when fully-grown (2-3 metres), most species aren't remotely interested in humans and usually stay well clear of us. We did five open-water dives as part of the PADI Open-Water course and we never saw one at close range.

Vilamendhoo is a fabulous place and much recommended. The photo is not cropped. I've straightened the horizon and slightly increased contrast, brightness and saturation from the RAW file.

Hope you like it.
avene, quillo, fijiphil, Hendrika, feather, vero07, tehanu_f, ocskaymarci, mightyweed, smash2707, manojtnair has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To barni: Thank you Christophe......rushfan2112 1 01-07 14:42
To smash2707: Thanks Yvonne.....rushfan2112 1 12-27 21:50
To Savitha: Thank you Savitha...rushfan2112 1 12-06 14:49
To avene: Thank you Kristine......rushfan2112 1 12-03 11:15
To veve: Thank you Veronica.....rushfan2112 1 11-09 10:24
To mightyweed: Thank you Danuta....rushfan2112 1 11-04 02:48
To ocskaymarci: Thank you Marci....rushfan2112 1 10-20 10:59
To tehanu_f: Thank you Fusun......rushfan2112 1 10-15 02:15
To vero07: Thank you Vero.....rushfan2112 1 10-14 03:07
To vincz: Thank you Vincent.....rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:49
To feather: Thank you Kath......rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:47
To Hendrika: Thank you Els.......rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:44
To axiotea: Thanks Marilyn.....rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:43
To partha: Thanks Partha.....rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:40
To batalay: Thank you Bulent.....rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:39
To paura: Thank you Paulo....rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:36
To fijiphil: Thank you Phil...rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:34
To quillo: Thank you Francisco....rushfan2112 1 10-14 02:32
Honeymoonaxiotea 1 10-12 23:25
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Critiques [Translate]

-

Hello Paul, simple and nice this image of Vilamendhoo, the colors and the light are good or the very agreeable result, they give desire to go there and to enjoy this paradise.

A greeting.

-

Despite the somewhat non idyllic weather conditions, you've still managed to captre a really idyllic scene here. Shame there isn't a hammock stretched between those trees!!

  • Great 
  • paura Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3828 W: 8 N: 2531] (20397)
  • [2007-10-12 19:35]
  • [+]

Very beautiful and artistic composition here, Paul.
Colors and lighting well adjusted to show to all us this paradise.

well done!

Paulo

Hello Paul,

You have been away from Trekearth, and I am happy you returned without depriving our vicarious pleasure in seeing this remarkable scene. The palm trees growing virtually horizontally, a spectacular beach, the spectacular colors of the Indian Ocean — all collaborate in producing this astonishing photo.

Warm regards,

Bulent

  • Great 
  • partha Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1489 W: 85 N: 1293] (12834)
  • [2007-10-12 20:39]
  • [+]

The inclined coconut tree , its shadow and the overall pleasing green tone gives a nice view.
Regards.
Partha

Hi Paul
I love the mood of the simple scene as the grey sky contrasts well with the turquoise tropical sea. Tight framing around the palm trees works well and nice little island as BG.
Cheers
Marilyn

Hi Paul, very nice shot! Good POV and colors. Very very nice place!

TFS

Philip

Congratulations on your wedding Paul.
About your planning I can say one thing: the honeymoon-destination was well chosen.
One can say this is picture perfect, but you have to see it larger, so for me it is poster-perfect.
TFS this part of your honeymoon!
Els

Welcome back from your honeymoon Paul; now you are an old married man! ;D Congratulations to you and your bride. I wish you years and years of happiness.
This photo is gorgeous. The wonderful colours of the Indian Ocean are just waiting to be dived into. I love how you composed the image with the palm trees straining almost horizontally right into the frame. The muted light is beautiful so there are no harsh shadows; just the gentle shadows on the surface of the sea. The "wet season" sky is a perfect backdrop to the palms, giving them a 3D appearance. What an idyllic place for romance.
Kath

  • Great 
  • vincz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 87 N: 5049] (17510)
  • [2007-10-13 1:57]
  • [+]

Wow... this is an excellent picture taking really advantage of this grey weather to get excellent blue and green colors on the sea. i like it a lot.

Hi Paul,
What an amazing and paceful view! I like the great quality image of the palms and the contrast of their colours with the emerald tones of the water. Excellent combination also with the stormy sky.
Perfect job!

Look who is back! And with a beautiful scene from a famous honeymoon spot! I was away on holiday, so I've just seen your latest photos. Apparently, you didn't waste your time only swimming and relaxing. A good photographer is like a good soldier, always on stand-by to capture a good view even on the honeymoon! ))) Congrats, my dear friend.
Fusun

Hello Paul,
Marriage is quite an acceptable excuse! :) CONGRATULATIONS my dear friend, my best wishes to your wife and you!
And I can see your honeymoon was very exciting!
You took a beautiful photo with the well-known view of tropical islands.
Great composition and lights! I just think the colours sould be a bit more stronger.
TFS!
Best wishes,
Marci

perfect picture of the paradise...great composition and colors...a place to visit...

  • Great 
  • veve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 505 W: 13 N: 587] (4221)
  • [2007-11-08 10:29]
  • [+]

Hello Paul,
Nice photo!Beautiful palms,wonderful place!
Excellent colors!
Best regards,
Veronica

  • Great 
  • avene Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1078 W: 68 N: 1341] (5042)
  • [2007-12-02 14:54]
  • [+]

aw, what a place! wanna be there NOW, instead of cold and gray and damp NYC... :) awesom shot, Paul, the leaning palms nicely lead the eye into the scene and towards the inviting blue of the Indian ocean. I also like a lot the pastel colours, I find they better convey the sense of hot and lazy day than more saturated tones. very well done.
wishing you many many years of happy family life,
Kristine

Colors are beautiful.The photo is very well captured. Framing of the Palm tree adds depth to the picture.Great work.
Congratulations on getting married.
kind regards Savitha

Hi Paul. Another beautiful landscape. I like the way the palms "lean" on the water. Very nice compo. Regards, Yvonne

  • Great 
  • barni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1462 W: 90 N: 1596] (9251)
  • [2008-01-07 13:20]
  • [+]

Hello Paul
I discover your gallery and many beautiful picture.
Here, is a perfect POV and good colours
Regards
Christophe

hi paul,
good capture of the palms. the exposure and colours are good. tfs.
manoj

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