smooth sailing Photo

Photographer’s Note

OUCH! That mast! Argh!
One of those shots I wish I would have taken more time for....

It was our arrival morning in the Faroe Islands, the 27th June 2005, around six in the morning.
There was absolutely not a single breeze in the air, yet the clouds were silently making their way from across the sea and city to further away lands (more probably just vanishing).
We'd just stepped out of the car, after having unloaded ourselves from the boat.
It was cold.
End of June.
Very cold.
About 6 or 7 degrees celcius.
Yet the sun was there, greeting as it should by this mid-summer season. As we left mainland Denmark, we also left the sense of a dark night behind us. The sun was there, simply turning around the horizon, perhaps just dipping beneath it just to reappear some dozens of minutes later.
It was truly beautiful yet also unusually cold.

Here we are looking at one part of the port of Torshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands (which stands of sheep islands in the local language). The city literally means Thor's harbor, a reference to the God of thunder and lightning as cited in old Norse mythology.

As I stood taking this picture, behind me was the big boat that carries goods and tourists in and out of these islands. Here you see typical local buildings, some amongst them very old while others quite new.
Others have already put in better words plenty of information about the islands and the capital, so in case you wish to know more, I sincerely encourage you to take a look at the various following websites:
Faroe Islands Tourist Guide
the CIA fact-book :D (not always factual :P)
The Faroe Islands Tourist Board
Wikipedia

Oh how I wish I had reframed the picture just slightly better! That cropped off mast really rips my head apart. However, I decided to share it with you mainly for the simple joy of sharing a Peaceful early morning feeling. So, don't worry about the points or anything else :)
I hope you Enjoy!

An advance Thank You to all those amongst you who take the time to criticize and/or comment!

Nikon D70
2005/06/27 07:59:37.8
JPEG (8-bit) Fine
Image Size: Large (3008 x 2000)
Lens: 18-70mm F/3.5-4.5 G
Focal Length: 18mm
Digital Vari-Program: Auto
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/320 sec - F/9
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Sensitivity: ISO 400
Optimize Image:
White Balance: Auto
AF Mode: AF-S
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Color Mode: Mode Ia (sRGB)
Tone Comp.: Auto
Hue Adjustment: 0°
Saturation: Normal
Sharpening: Auto
Long Exposure NR: Off

SchwebagMike, pboehringer, pasternak, Davidwh, elmec, ruisc_pt has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

JasPahal (336) 2006-06-14 18:58

Hi Julia,

I like the bright colors in this picture.. I think the SUV in the background kinda throws things off! Also, the image could use some sharpening. The water looks abnormally still!

Cheers,

Jas

pboehringer (770) 2006-06-14 19:58

Well, lets ignore the mast. You already got enough mad on it. Otherwise it is brilliant with vibrant colors. The calmness of this water is unbelievable.
TFS, Peter

Lisas_world (1180) 2006-06-14 21:42

Well Julia, this is one of the sharpest reflections I have seen, and the colors are just exuberant. You have captured very well the cold, still morning you describe in your note, and I like the "T" intersection of the row of boats and the buildings. The mast is not worth your 'ripping your head apart' (although we all understand the feeling) :)... it's all there to see in the reflection anyway.

Kind regards,
Lisa

Cormac (26449) 2006-06-15 0:24

Great shot! The water is so smooth that it looks like a mirror, and it perfectly reflects the colourful buildings and boats. Well done!

ribeiroantonio (21839) 2006-06-15 1:25

What a great natural mirror giving all the details of the objects above. Just observe the boat on the right handside. Also, in the center of the picture, look at all the things you can not see against the buildings. Amazing superb photo. Congratulations.
Antonio

Davidwh (3652) 2006-06-15 2:27

Hi Julia,
Such a pleasant image you have captured here.A really nice mood of peace and quiet (just as you said you felt),calm waters with a lovely reflection.Don't be so hard on yourself regarding the mast its not so bad.You would have had to move out and then I think you would have lost some of the feeling of the image.Good detail, colours and light.
Have a great morning!
Regards, David

pasternak (13208) 2006-06-15 4:28

Hi Julia,

I don´t know why, but Faroes have been my dream since I was 10 or so... Never been there and probably never will, it´s something irrational in my mind I guess:)

Your photo is really wonderful. It reflects the cold clear transparent morning very well. The water reflection is perfect, one of the best I´ve seen here. Don´t worry about the mast, it´s almost there:) I like also the bent T-shaped composition.

Very well done and thanks for showing this,
Alexander

dHitman (0) 2006-06-15 6:41

Hi Julia,
Nice composition with strong reflections and colors. Don't worry about the mast, the picture as a whole is pleasant and striking. TFS!
Regards, Jino

rhizomes (15325) 2006-06-15 11:17

Salut Julia,
Quel miroir cette eau ! Toutes les couleurs sont superbement rendues dans cette belle prise.
Superbe, dommage cependant de ne pas avoir le sommet du mat...
Bravo !
Christophe

elmec (12194) 2006-06-15 14:04

Hello Julia!
This is so calm atmosphere in this harbour!
I think it was very nice, warm evening ...
Great composition and light!
Regards!

SchwebagMike (1490) 2006-06-16 9:12

Hi Julia,

Very nice picture ... and the description added one wishes to be there (even if it wasn't very hot). Marvellous colors and overall atmosphere !

I wonder if the green roof at one of the left buildings is out of grass ?

Kind regards,

Mike

cobraphil8 (11650) 2006-06-17 7:47

Salut Julia,
avec une note en français, cela devient divin ;)
On arrive à vraiment se mettre à ta place, à sentir la prise matinale, c'est génial et pour le petit bout de mat, tu l'as déjà souligné dans ta note donc on passe...
Par contre, j'ai une petite question car en voyant les façades des maisons, je me dis qu'il y'a moyen de faire des choses très intéressantes, as-tu fait quelques cadrages serrés sur ces architectures très colorées?
(surtout celles de droite)
A bientôt & encore bravo pour ce post
Philippe

PS: un petit WS pour voir :), bon WE

[workshop] [compare] +

ruisc_pt (6206) 2006-07-23 15:18

Well . marvellous picture. The mirror effect is perfect.
Why didn't you write your name in the upper coner upside down :)?

yesterday (9787) 2006-08-29 9:17

Wonderful mood from the calm water, the deep blue color and fine contrast, beautiful photo.

Gromit (442) 2006-08-29 9:55

Hello Julia

Elle est tout simplement sublime cette photo. Jolies couleurs, super reflet. Je dois dire que le bout du mât qui manque ne me dérange pas trop d’autant plus que le reflet sur l'eau me permet de découvrir ce qui est caché.

asajernigan (14072) 2006-12-31 23:44

Julia,
I like the colors and lighitng in this photo. You have captured an excellent reflection with nice sharpness.
Happy New Year,
Asa

meltemb (164) 2007-09-17 1:04