the old man and the sea Photo

Photographer’s Note

the old man and the sea

I'm trying to tell the story of Latvia.
There is a big difference between the story of Latvia, and my story.
Sometimes I see differences, sometimes just life, sometimes I travel back in time.

the pier I posted Yesterday is still used. A fisherman comes here with his only companion. A slow routine both know, although the horse had trouble waiting to start eating, after pulling the boat in the sea.
There is nothing more to tell, life is that simple.

When I was young, horses were still used in Holland, but like in Latvia nowadays, they were disappearing fast. The milkman had one, the grocery man, the man collecting the milk from the farmers, and some farmers themselves. Only those who didn't need to change kept their horses, their way of life.

Like slow food, we should consider slow life. I am reading a book from James Gleick; "Faster", and it describes how we live in a "time-gripped age". In Holland, I couldn't get away from this, in Latvia I have the feeling I still can.

The question is only for how long . . .

this is part of small serie about the Latvian coast, and how the fishing ‘industry’ evolved over a century;
lost pier
soviet planning
engure harbor
harbor office – question photoshop

PS2;
crop, converted to B&W, adjusted brightness and contrast, resizing, added the border slight sharpening and finally added the text.

If you like this note or the critiques other people write, please mark them as useful.

delic, jarkko, Davidh34, BlkDaffyDuck, stego, stiginthedump has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

delic (6735) 2007-10-04 3:29

Hello David,
I looked at the previous image, and prefer this one for a couple of reasons. The boat (not sure if the man is old) adds dynamism, and the viewpoint that makes an angle with the logs offers a more pleasing composition, which is usually the case compared to straight-on views. The horse's presence is a nice and unexpected touch, and one could say it makes the picture extraordinary. I have no complaints about the B&W selection but somehow feel that color would be even better, esp. because of the perfect reflection. It seems like this spot offers endless photographic opportunities. The note is well-written and helps the viewer connect with the image. Regards,
Hakan

jcdurka1 (1940) 2007-10-04 3:50

Nice square format that match very well the B&W. The compo is well done with many sucesive plans.
Well done,
Jean-Claude

Davidh34 (838) 2007-10-04 4:42

Hi David

Wonderful image. I like the square format and framing, and the image itself is lovely and sharp, well composed, and suits the B&W well. There is a slight tilt on the horizon, but who doensn't suffer from that? Good Work

Regards

David

calceman (691) 2007-10-04 5:44

Composition is great, however the overall look of the picture is too gray for my taste: skyis gray, sea is gray, sand is gray, wood is gray, water is gray... Also there's no white anywhere. My advice would be to make this picture with more contrast to give it a more emotional value.

[2] +

BlkDaffyDuck (385) 2007-10-04 6:58

Hello David,

I love the atmmosphere of your picture.
Your composition and the black and white are a very good choice.
I love particulary the 3 sucessive plans, the horse and his reflect and this man who seems to come from null leaves with his small boat.
I find this picture very poetic !
Congratulation.

Regards,
Damien.

stiginthedump (1823) 2007-10-10 22:46

Nice photo Dave. I like how the horse is on the riht, the boat on the left and the wooden posts are on the bottom. Without the rower it wouldn't have been have as good althouh I disagree with Delic about how the rower adds dynamism. I think it resembles a lazy afternoon!

I do however agree with Calceman about the photo being a little too dark. Maybe a little adjustments to the curves would help. Also i think that you should crop off the posts on both edges of the frame.

I'll post a workshop to show you what I mean!

[workshop] [compare] +

cooperknights (363) 2007-10-24 0:35

I had to think really hard about whether or not I liked this image (that is a good thing, by the way!).

I really like the black and white imagery - the contrast between light and dark works well with the wooden posts against the sand and I prefer it to the more straightforward composition of your other pier image.

I love the reflections and the calmness and tranquility of the image over all.

The only thing that lets it down a little in my eyes is that the top half of the image looks like a completely different photograph from the bottom one. I know that it is not - they are clearly just two halves of the same photograph - but it just seems a little disjointed.

Having said that, I really like the overall concept and having wanted to visit the Baltic states anyway, your images only go to firm that intention up in my mind.

Lucalain (1734) 2008-05-15 13:55 [Comment]

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joscel1975 (489) 2008-06-11 7:42

Hi David:

This one is very interesting. All of the elements in the photo came in perfect harmony. The way you did the B&W is so sharp. It's classic. Thanks for sharing

Josh

sebinho342 (18736) 2008-08-27 10:54

Hi David, this is very nice, i just browsed few pictures of you and here is the one i prefer : elements of perfectly positionned here in the frame and that MAKES the difference. On your last shots there are elements (mostly humans) that are on your frames but not choose by you, here this is the opposite, all elements are well positionned and add something to the overall composition. I think the BW is a little bit too grey as i would have like to see more darks and more white.
Anyway this is a very good one
Regards