Leaving Hiva Oa, a photo from French Polynesia, Other

Photographer's Note

The Seabourn Odyssey had just pulled up anchor, and was sailing out of Hiva Oa towards Papeete, Tahiti. A puff of smoke, visible to the left of a smoke stack, appears to blend into the fog and the slight drizzle shrouding the island. The oval shaped area on the ship is tampered glass and crowns a Circular Staircase. Angled forward, it reflects a clearing sky ahead.

For lovers of art and music, the graves of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin (1848-1903), as well as the Belgium/French singer Jacques Brel (1929-1978) are less than a 100 m from each other at a local cemetery. (The link to Brel's music is in honor of my good friend John Maenhout, although he explains below that the famous singer was not particularly popular in Belgium, singing mostly in French.)

I was on board the Seabourn Odyssey to serve as a Cultural Enrichment Lecturer.

aloyho, Sonata11, Graal, papagolf21, bukitgolfb301, jhm, ikeharel, Zengi001, Kielia, patdeph, danos, Nard, jlbrthnn, Didi, nikkitta, worldcitizen, Charo, nobuikehonda, serp2000 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

happypoppeye (4813) 2012-02-04 15:20

Good to see your still going at it Bulent ...French Polynesia huh ...good for you. Nice shot, great view ...man, you have a great job!!!!

I'm still "lax" here on TE, but still traveling, although taking a little bit less pictures, but still coming back to look here and there. Nice work, keep it up.

John

mesutilgim (58910) 2012-02-04 15:27

Selam dear Bülent,
Very ncie capture with the taste of a monochrom capture and perfect graphism.
Enriched with good notes.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

PS. Until two days ago heavy snow and temperatures around - 10 deg C, and today + 12 deg C !!!

rigoletto (29583) 2012-02-04 15:33

French Polinesia!
You really are worth to be jealous with, Dear Professor.
I like the way you presented the "threatening" clouds, as if they were rushing after your ship. I like the reflections on the glass ceiling, though i first happened to think that it was a solar cell and was therefore curious whether it was operating satisfactorily under the lack of sunlight.
Best wishes,
Deniz

aloyho (6699) 2012-02-04 18:14

Hi Bulent,
An interesting way to exaggerate the puffing smoke with the interesting light and clouds from the sky. It certainly adds power to this moving ship. I like this low key composition and the cool monochromatic scheme is most soothing.

Have a nice weekend.

Sonata11 (16346) 2012-02-04 20:18

Hello Bulent,
interesting snapshot of this puff of smoke, graphism, clouds and surround this place. Great sharpness, POV, exposure, clarity with so many details (a circular staircase are spectacular, awesome). Wonderfully executed image with technically elegant. Perfectly well done. Thanks for sharing.
All the best and have a nice Sunday,
Barbara

aliabazari (3843) 2012-02-04 20:19

Hi ...
Picture of the beauty of the beautiful sky and clouds ships touring with well registered

agulberk (3299) 2012-02-04 20:33

Merhaba Bülent Hocam
Teknoloji ile doğal ortamın bir arada oluşu insanın keşif ruhunun yansımasını gösteren etkileyici bir duygu yaşatıyor insana. İnsanın bu keşif ruhunu en doğru şekilde kullanması dilek ve temennilerimle, selam ,saygı ve sevgilerimi sunuyorum.
Adnan.

berek (30833) 2012-02-04 23:01

Merhaba Bülent bey

bulutlar bir harika görünüyor. iyi bir açı ve ışık. kendinize çok iyi bakın.
Burak

Graal (82166) 2012-02-04 23:44

Hi Bulent,
good reportage from Your travel. An interesting view of mountains with the clouds in BG. Good composition with the fragment of ship on FG.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

Ricx (12780) 2012-02-05 0:18

Hello Bulent My friend, a most unusual POV.. the Solar panel- creating an "eye" eggect . . you must have been up early before the gusests.. as usual a very interesting note.. TFS Rich from a very White Oxfordshire - its snowed last night

N

JFS (21914) 2012-02-05 0:44

Hi Bulent,
Unusual and very interesting shot, I like the mood, the blue light, the sensational BG. Nice moment, thanks for sharing it with us!

Cheers,
Juan

papagolf21 (70574) 2012-02-05 0:55

Bonjour, cher ami Bulent,
C'est toujours un pur régal que d'apprendre, s'enrichir grâce à vos compositions et à vos notes d'accompagnement réalisées avec soin.
Une fois encore, la réussite est bien présente.
Merci pour la musique d'accompagnement "lac des cygnes" à propos de la photo critiquée.
Excellente journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

bukitgolfb301 (22980) 2012-02-05 1:16

Hi my dear Bulent

Another dynamic shot by cropping the top of ferry.
Blue color covered in all is so fantastic image.
Perfect framework and well considered composition! Thanks for your sharinig with finest work and have a nice Sunday evening!
Best regrads,

Takero from sunny Tokyo

MJR (2414) 2012-02-05 1:31

Bulent
A wonderful confection of greys and whites, which clearly belies what was actually a bright and sunny moment. Shoting at the light produces some strange effects.
Another lovely scene form ne of your many working cruises - you certainly 'get about' !

Regards from a cold and cheerless Cumbria

regards
Martin

Fis2 (65944) 2012-02-05 2:04

Witaj Bulent!
Interesting place.
Curious colours and light.
Photo has climate.
Good note.
Nice sunday.
Krzysztof

jhm (112100) 2012-02-05 2:44

Dear Bulent,

The mother of Jacques Brel was a Flemish woman, out of West-Vlaanderen, he was not truly popular in Flanders because he always sang french songs.
Your picture is nice taken with the smoke of the chimney.
Fine composition, and photographed everything in a perfect moment.
You create depth and perspective.
Excellent composition, TFS.

Best reagrds,
John

ikeharel (25421) 2012-02-05 4:03

Hello Bulent,
The modern ship's stern arise well onto the mountains covered by clouds.
There is an interesting solar-panel on-board and I assume many other tech. details can be spotted on deck.
Blue tone dominating the fine scenery here.
My cong.'s,
Ike

Zengi001 (1982) 2012-02-05 5:22

Selam Bülent Bey,
Bulutlar sanki geminin bacalarından çıkıyormuş gibi.
Çok güzel kurgulamışsınız, sonuç ta pek başarılı. Tebrikler!
Saygılarımla,
Engin.

Nicou (83142) 2012-02-06 7:55

Hlelo

Grandisoe compo et iamge, sueprbe vue quel effet ce ciel lourb et blanc, avec une ouverture qui se dessine au milieu et ce avant de bâteaux, superbe compo.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

Kielia (17649) 2012-02-06 8:03

Dear Bulent,
this is an excellently composed impression of the leaving ship! I like how the backlight makes the fume of the ship’s engine visible. Very beautiful reflections and a dramatic mood! An image that is very much to my liking - accompanied by a very nice note; my compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

photoray (4173) 2012-02-06 8:27

Dear Bulent,

The dark lighting dramatizes the mountainous Polynesian volcanic background, and contrasts with the very modern Odyssey, certainly worthy of a modern day Odysseus.

And I am envious, Must be a spectacular place to be, and journey.

Sincerely,

Ray

mauro61 (47809) 2012-02-07 5:05

ciao Bulent,
una tonalità particolare con l'inquadratura riempita da questa nave che entra nella baia in una giornata di nuvole,
saluti
maurizio

patdeph (35108) 2012-02-07 10:42

hello Bulent
I like very much how the smoke is mixing itself with the clouds,giving a very nice effect, with the light crossing it in the middle part.The bluish tones are beautiful.Lucky Brel and Gauguin that finished their days in such a beautiful place.
Regards
Pascale

danos (64263) 2012-02-08 0:30

Ηello Bulent,
great the chosen POV of the Seabourn Odyssey with its smoke to blend with the fog of the backdrop island creating a dreamily optical effect.The moody environment and the absence of the passangers, make the image more effective and unique.

Regards,danos

Nard (5160) 2012-02-08 3:39

Hi Bulent,
The cloudy sky is realy impressive and it seems going out the chimney of the boat like smoke. You POV shows a part of the boat a bit futuristic with this circular reflection but it seems empty. Is it the cause of the weather ? I never been there but I guess it must be wonderful.
Regards
Bernard

eldancer1 (9962) 2012-02-09 14:08

Wow! What an awesome view of those mountains covered with clouds. Love the mood of this scene. Nice soft lighting and good dof with nice details. Well done, tfs.

jlbrthnn (71902) 2012-02-10 3:34

Hello Bulent,
After the cuts yesterday, I repeat that your framing aptly describes the architecture and landscape of the ship drowned beneath the clouds. Sharpness and depth are excellent. I appreciate the reminder of the presence of the graves of Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel. Excellent quality and publication. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

mursaloglu (7952) 2012-02-10 4:32

sevgili Bulent bey
harika bir görünüm mükemmel bir gök ve özne birlikteligi... tonların birlikte ve ayni renk olmasi fotoyu olaganüstü bir boyuta tasimis. bravo ihsan

TopGeo (34819) 2012-02-10 4:48

Hello Bulent! Excellent composition With your note! the sounds of the French song! and smoke from the chimneys of our cruise travel the seas and dreaming Combine the trip with learning and what charms is it! Thanks for sharing!
Warm regards
Georgios

Didi (44602) 2012-02-10 11:52

Hi dear friend
Interesting moment of the day.
The clouds give an interesting dominant in your picture.
Even a sophisticated camera can match the quality of human vision.
That's why I have done a workshop to render the actual vision of the eye.
Warm regards

[workshop] [compare] +

nikkitta (3594) 2012-02-11 19:10

Hola Bulent

Nice monochrom capture ( blue and white) with an imposing sky and clouds or is all smoke from the ship?
Must just be a mix
The two blacks towers( not know the name) give all the photo a science fiction look
Lecturing on art in French Polinesia, just great
Congrats and TFS
Maria

anokutan (14866) 2012-02-12 13:39

Bülent bey merhaba,
Nefis bir açı.Mükemmel etkileyici bir görüntü.Tebrikler.

ChrisJ (82363) 2012-02-13 3:41

Selam dear Bülent,

Another gorgeous shot of French Polynesia. It must have been torture for you! Excellent sharpness with superb shadow detail & marvelous tonal range. The blue & white colours are sublime & the window of strong light at the back enlivens the shot. Tfs!

emka (49725) 2012-02-13 10:57

Hi Bulent,
So you went not the first time with Seabourn Odyssey. Interesting photo in bluish tone.
I knew that Gaugin lived on Polynesian Islands, maybe not that it was Hiva Oa. But why Jacques Brel?? I found he lived on Hiva Oa when he was ill on cancer but died in Bobigny. In sixties he was very popular in Poland. His songs were translated into Polish. I liked him and other French singers - Piaf, Aznavour, Brassens.. They were my favourites. it seems that now it is only American pop music.
So you left Hiva Oa and went to paradise :). I hope to see other kind of paradise in September - wild animals rather than beautiful plants.

Warm regrads

Malgo

worldcitizen (4031) 2012-02-13 18:22

Hello Bulent,
Nice view as your ship leaves one part of paradise for another. :-) I like the way the oval window functions as a mirror to reflect the sky ahead. We can get a glimpse of the landscape of Hiva Oa, and see the storm brewing in the sky. I see that Didi made a workshop removing some of the blue cast. I think my eyes lean towards the workshop version, only because the clouds seem so blue in the original. It is a very nice scene. :-)

Bluejeans (59394) 2012-02-14 5:20

Ola Bulent ,
Bons detalhes para este primeiro plano com o navio , bonita a paisagem de fundo com as nuvens e a montanhas cobertas de vegetação , boa luz , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Angshu (47527) 2012-02-15 8:16

Hello dear Professor 'A'
You took this picture against the sun or near-abouts. Quite a unique image. The twin chimneys are good focal points. Am quite intrigued that this picture is near monochrome. Is that a solar panel? Also I felt the picture had a blue cast which Didi effectively removed. But the composition is yours & its a good one!
With Warm Regards
Angshuman

Charo (51174) 2012-02-17 14:10

Hello Bulent,
You are a tireless traveler, I too would like to make these trips, but I prefer solid ground.
The composition with the boat is very unique and well captured the reflection of clouds on the glass circle.
Looks like a beautiful place, though in your composition what stands out is the boat.
Best wishes,
Charo

Yiannis84 (2678) 2012-02-19 8:28

Hi Bulent..

A really fascinating composition rich of atmosphere! your POV is amazing, it gives a great perspective...original & creative shot..very well done

Best regards..Yiannis

nobuikehonda (3832) 2012-02-21 11:03

Hello Professor Atalay,

Your eyes look back in the direction of the paradise instead of looking foreword. I think that I can understand your feelings very well. After having spent time in what seems to be the closest place to the heaven, seeing the Island getting further and further away must have been a difficult moment. The dramatic sky and the fog, the overall cool blue tone of the photo seem to reflect the sentiment involved in this particular moment. The beautifully rendered image, and the blue tone, and a sea breeze must have brought you a moment of silence. An image full of rich sentiment and feelings, this is a very memorable image.

With my kindest regards,
Have a very nice morning hours, professor
Nobu.

P.S: Yes, all around the castle, there is a moat surrounding the main structure and its forecourt. It was created for aesthetic reasons.

PJE (20676) 2012-02-25 22:51

Bulent I have to assume you really enjoyed yourself on this Cruise ship both for relaxation and as lecturer. I suppose on board you always have a captive audience and trust all had a great time on tour. The details of the ship are wonderful and the view very lush tropical. Is this photo taken late in the day?

serp2000 (23149) 2012-03-01 20:25

Hello, Bulent,
They say, than more in person of a child,so more human in person. I remembered that the ideas of the far travels connected with my childhood. Then I read Daniel Defoe, R.L. Stevenson, Jules Verne, and dreamed of seafaring. With age, when many dreams realized, a childlike sense of anticipation of a trip is in me. Thanks for this post.

Serghei