Bay of Descending Dragon.., a photo from Quang Ninh, North East

Photographer's Note

Legend of Halong Bay:
The words Ha Long Bay means "Bay of Descending Dragons". Legend has it that a dragon once flung itself headlong into the sea, and its tail managed to dig deep valleys and crevices in the mainland of Vietnam. As the dragon descended into the sea, these deep valleys and crevices filled with water and thus creating Halong Bay. According to another legend, the Jade Emperor of Heaven ordered a dragon to halt an invasion of Vietnam by sea from northern invaders. The dragon actually spewed out jade and jewels which created the islands an dislets of Halong Bay. This helped to create a natural barrier which block off the invasion.

Picture of small floating homes set amongst the high cliff of limestone karst islets, sheltering the community from rough sea. I was told that many of these homes are multiple generations old. The community have traded their creature comforts, some were born here and never set foot on dry land.

The day was not on my side when this was taken, it was chilly and rather grey afternoon and there was a heavy mist across the bay but I felt totally at peace with the world, purely magical. Nothing can take away the stunning-ness of the vista, not even the weather because even in really moody atmosphere the limestone formations rising out of the water always look fantastic.

Additional pictures:
WShop1: Floating community going about their everyday business, relying on what nature will provide from the sea.

WShop2: A joint effort, husband and wife team.

papagolf21, siamesa, krzychu30, Budapestman, adramad, bayno, Janusz1974, ourania, jlbrthnn, kordinator, maria-v1981, fabbs99, Cricri, marina7, Nard, mkamionka, josepmarin, aliabazari, elenimavrandoni has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

eldancer1 (17088) 2012-09-23 8:44

Beautiful! Those rock formations are really amazing, I wish I could see them in person. I like the effect of the morning mist, it makes the scene more romantic although I don't think the hard working people in the floating community will agree with me. It's novelty for me but not for them, it's their way of life. Good soft lighting and good dof with nice details. Well done, tfs.

JFS (32179) 2012-09-23 9:25

Beautiful and magic image, great light despite the lack of sun. The scenery is impressive and your work too. thanks Abmdsudi!

TopGeo (37994) 2012-09-23 9:42

Hello Abmdsudi! Nice detailed image pleasant for look at.
Excellent composition, good presentation too.
Very, very impressive photo, very atmospheric, with a beautiful peaceful feeling! but misty Technically ! Great composition and framing, outstanding light management, wonderful contrast! Top quality photo! Congratulations!
Georgios

carlo62 (12636) 2012-09-23 10:06

Ciao Abmdsudi
una panoramica meravigliosa, splendidamente composta e con un'atmosfera tranquilla.
Belli i tetti colorati sparsi nell'acqua e la barca rossa in basso a destra.
Saluti
Carlo

Fis2 (73124) 2012-09-23 10:27

Witaj Abmdsudi!
A very curious place.
Wonderful view.
I like light and sharpness.
Very impressive picture.
Best regards
Krzysztof

leo61 (0) 2012-09-23 10:28

Hi abmdsudi!
Excellent composition with this tiny boat in the right foreground and aI love the foggy atmosphere in the far distance.
Great shot of these unique karst mountains.
When I was in Hanoi years ago it was raining and the weather forecast was bad for this famous bay, so I did not visit.
Great shot!!!!
Best regards,Leo

brianmcc (5536) 2012-09-23 10:46

hi abmdsudi,
this is an incredible landscpae, so magical and full of interest. lovely composition taking in so much of the scene. the low clouds really add atmosphere and mood.
regards,
brian

papagolf21 (76603) 2012-09-23 11:39

Bonsoir, Abmdsudi,
La légende convient magnifiquement à cette composition.
Je n'ai pu m'empêcher de pousser un "oh" d'admiration en découvrant la photographie.
Difficile de rester insensible à cette beauté.
Amitiés.
Philippe

ACL1978 (5789) 2012-09-23 11:53

Still one of the most visually stunning places on earth. This is a really nice capture - subtle colors and light, which fits the weather, and the mist closing in on some of the hills in BG adds mystery to it. The boat in FG in the lower right corner is perfect, with ideal placement to give a sense of entry to the scene. Really nice work as always, Abmdsudi.

Andrew

rigoletto (30490) 2012-09-23 12:58

A hundred times i've seen photos of this place (and even seen it in my dream!), but i think it is the first time i see those floating houses. Not the best light maybe, but the details are clear enough. The boat is really useful here to complete the composition.
Best regards,
Deniz

mauro61 (52527) 2012-09-23 13:08

ciao Abmdsudi,
rocce come denti che escono dal mare con le tante imbarcazioni e questa particolare ambientazione creata dalla nebbia.
Ottima la qualità,
saluti
maurizio

kevhome (70) 2012-09-23 13:38

Never been and not likely get the chance which is all the more reason I love seeing this photo of the place. The rock form is out of this world and to have captured the fishing huts with the dEtail and colour you have is great given the natural light available.
Thanks for sharing.
Kevin

npecanhuk (53913) 2012-09-23 14:53

Hi Abmdsudi!
Magnificent natural location!
Wonderful picture of it!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, contrasts, chosen pov, horizontal format, black & white borders and, above all, composition are all excellent photo qualities here and they all really pleased me!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

pajaran (36270) 2012-09-23 21:31

Dobar dan.
Vrlo interesantan i dobar tekst, o zalivu zmaja ...
Lep pogled i trenutak ...
Dobra ostrina, kontrast i perspektiva, lepe boje.
Dobra kompozicija, lepa priroda.
Imajte lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Srecno.
Paja.

Good day.
Very interesting and good text, the Gulf dragon ...
Nice view and a moment ...
Good sharpness, contrast and perspective, beautiful colors.
Good composition, beautiful nature.
Have a nice and successful day, all the best in the new week that started.
Good luck.
Paja.

krzychu30 (8897) 2012-09-23 22:46

Hello Abmdsudi,
Ha Long Bay is really one of a kind.A friend of mine who visited this place said it was one of the most beautiful and breathtaking views he has ever seen.
You captured the scene excellently.Even the grey sky can't spoil the image.The huge rock formations,the swimming houses-it's all makes the picture really fabulous.You chose also the best settings of your camera to get the best out of this scene and weather conditions.Well done!
Have a nice day
Krzysztof
(I'm sorry for not commenting your last pictures.I've just returned from Barcelona,where I didn't have an internet access)

Budapestman (82620) 2012-09-24 1:01

Hi Abmdsudi,
what a fantastic view, the composition is very spectacular, great details and the perspective is superb. Amazing shot, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kívánok!
György

dkmurphys (36831) 2012-09-24 2:02

Hello,
Great shapes of those mountains. A splendid place even in a rainy day. Well captured atmosphere, enjoy a good week.

Daniel

adramad (27556) 2012-09-24 4:29

Hello Abmdsudi.
This composition is great, whenever I see pictures of this place, it seems to be contemplating another universe.
Superb POV, with this small boat in the foreground and the small bay dotted with houseboats, these rock-islands are breathtakingly beautiful.
The background haze adds charm and dreamlike.
Very well done.
Have a nice day.
Best regards.
Luis.

sevy (13273) 2012-09-24 5:28

Hello,

For sure, the weather was not the best possible, but at least you caught a real mood in this shot, especially with the fog hidding the islands in background.
Good you kept the tiny colorfull boat in the bottom corner. It helps a lot to balance the composition, filling the foreground and also giving a depth filling to this seascape.

Yves.

bayno (16213) 2012-09-24 7:36

Hello Abmdsudi,
a scene and a place that seems straight out of a fairy tale or a science fiction movie, a really special atmosphere with the mist rising from the water, a photo that stimulates my already great desire to visit this amazing country, realy great work...
regards,
Valter

yquem46 (32295) 2012-09-24 9:21

Hi abmdsudi
Even if very classical, yet very beautiful
A quite moody shot with the fog
The rower at bottom right is perfectly placed
Have a nice evening
Patrick

Janusz1974 (2275) 2012-09-24 10:05

Hello Abmdsudi!
Great photo of this incredible place.
Very nice the POV who you choose in order to show us this Bay of Descending Dragon.
Best regards
Janusz

mesutilgim (68014) 2012-09-24 10:39

Hello Abmdsudi,
Amazing landscape capture of Ha Long Bay with perfect light management and very good layout.
Many interesting notes and nice framing.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

ourania (12427) 2012-09-24 12:40

Hello Abmdsudi,
this is a magnificent setting for daily life and I believe that the people who live there surely spend some time amid their every day concerns and occupations to marvel at the natural beauty that surround them. They have the opportunity to see it in various kinds of lighting and I'm sure they feel a sense of wonder every time. Your point of view and composition are marvellous offering a suggestive sense of depth and space and a delightfully balanced view. I love the placement of the boat in the lower right corner, it introduces us into the scenery intriguingly and smoothly. Your light management is very competent, the chromatic tones and textures are rendered superbly. The high rocks and the mist seem to be protecting the peacefulness of this place. I love both of your workshop pictures, very confident and elegant interpretations of daily life in Halong Bay. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely day,
Ourania

jlbrthnn (79773) 2012-09-24 14:18

Hello Abmdsudi,
Ha Long Bay is a fantastic place. Your photo is very interesting with these amazing houseboats. A good picture, sharpness and depth. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

CanmoreKevin (2111) 2012-09-24 18:21

Abmdsudi,
Wow, I love this natural scene that is then dotted with colourful man made items. Very nicely composed.
Kevin

kordinator (13411) 2012-09-25 0:47

Hello Abmdsudi
Excellent composition with this boat in the right foreground.
Fine foggy atmosphere in the far distance.
Nice detailed image pleasant for look at.
Excellent framing.
Kind regards
Saša

maria-v1981 (10403) 2012-09-25 2:30

Hello Abmdsudi,
Wonderful scenery. The composition is very good showing the bay and the boats. I like the pov and also the light that gives a really nice atmosphere. I like the atmosphere that comes out of your shot. it's an invitation for travelling.
Have a nice day,
Regards,
Maria

fabbs99 (5499) 2012-09-25 4:39

Hi Abmdsudi,

Beautiful view of the bay with hill islands in the background.The floating houses and boats add real charm to the whole scene.The lighting is also amazing as well as perfect POV too. Very well done, TFS.

Keep sharing and exchanging views.
Best wishes and warm regards
Farhat

kato (6789) 2012-09-25 5:05

Hi Abmdsudi,

This is an interesting landscape, so it's impressive to see the bay with some rocks of strange shape and some boats. It's impressive misty atomosphere in the distance. Well captured and good tone.

Kind regards,
mikio

COSTANTINO (42746) 2012-09-25 8:24

Hello
excellent capture through the fog
delicate and welldone with a hidden
mystery,it is unbelievable,small
floating homes on the surface
of the water,your notes are
very useful
regards
Costantino

Cricri (86501) 2012-09-25 10:56

Hi Abmdsudi
Une atmosphère particulière donner par la brume et les rochers, un calme profond qui se fait resentir, intéressante et composition
Belle soirée
cricri

Waylim (22357) 2012-09-25 13:59

Sabaidee Abmdsudi,

With this mood and misty condition, it seem the dragon will be descending any time now. Excellent shot with mysterious atmosphere and mood. You managed well with this low light condition. A Place I wish to see myself soon.

Way

Silvio1953 (98217) 2012-09-27 3:29

Ciao Abmdsudi, fascinating composition with fantastic rocks and lovely floating houses, beautiful atmosphere, wonderful soft colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

cornejo (18116) 2012-09-27 5:14

Abmdsudi Hello, I really like this lovely picture of this beautiful and mysterious place. Very nice and interesting picture very well composed and technically accomplished. Excellent and lovely work my friend, my congratulations.
Tfs.

Good night and happy weekend.
Best regards and best wishes.
Angel.

marina7 (5860) 2012-10-01 9:27

Hi Abmdsudi,
this famous place leaves no one indifferent no matter how many times you see it. And even the moody weather like this can't take anythihg away from its beauty as you show it brilliantly in this picture. Wonderful atmosphere of serenity and eternity. Thanks and my warmest regards
Marina

Nard (6913) 2012-10-02 6:07

Hi Abmdsudi
A place I would like to go. I love it! It's wonderful, magical, out of time like unreal. I ilke the soft light, the mountains, the mist and the houseboat. Your shot shows well the atmosphere.
Regards
Bernard

mkamionka (24559) 2012-10-02 12:58

Hi Abmdsudi,
spectacular view, I know it of course from other photos. You had some bad luck indeed and yet you manage to create a very atmospheric capture. The fog adds a feeling of mystery as if the dragon could emerge from behind the rocks. Thanks for the explanation of the name, I did not realize it has a meaning.
Great work,
M

josepmarin (55063) 2012-10-04 10:59

Hi Abmdsudi,
the mist creates a very special atmosphere, a bit mysterious, on the capricious geological formations of this famous bay.
In this composition you have caught its beauty, and also the bustle of the daily life in this place, with the floating houses and the boats.
The result is a very rich and attractive photo.
Friendly regards,
Josep

macjake (39235) 2012-10-07 9:59

Hi Abmdsudi
well, the day may not have been postcard perfect, but in the end I think it turned out better anyways as it provided you with an excellent and unique atmosphere.
the water has that dark black feel to it which also enhances the look.
splendid nature and culture scene.
well done
cheers
craig

aliabazari (10105) 2012-12-05 14:12

Hi .. Dear
Beautiful view of the cliffs and boats. Good lighting and colors. Clearly seen.

Regards ...

elenimavrandoni (5789) 2013-02-09 12:34

Who needs sunshine when there is a perfect rainy day color conspiracy and a (combination of 2) great photographer available?
Great image, eye catching great details!
The world is beautiful everywhere!
regards,
Eleni