THE BIG AND THE SMALL Photo

Photographer’s Note

THE BIG AND THE SMALL

Monaco, the eight hundred year old principality ruled by the Grimaldi Family, is tucked in the underside of France along the extraordinarily beautiful Riviera. Among the more celebrated sites in Monte Carlo, the capitol of Monaco, are the Jacque-Yves Cousteau Aquarium; the castle of the Grimaldi Family; the Casino de Monte Carlo, home of its defining industry, gambling; and high on the hills the Grande Cornice, where Princess Grace Kelly met her death in an automobile accident in 1982. (While I was in boarding school in Delaware, St. Andrew's, I would frequently visit a compatriot Turkish family in Philadelphia; they lived across the street from the Kelly Family, and I met the beautiful actress just before she was married to Prince Rainier.) Close by is the French Riviera city of Nice, then beyond that, Cannes. To the east are the Italian ports, Genoa, Portofino, and Portovenere.

August 1, 2008 at 7:00 in the morning, I stood on the promenade deck of the Crystal Serenity, admiring Monte Carlo's impressive skyline, its curtain of mountains forming a horse shoe around the city, and its marina teeming with impressive yachts. As I leaned on the banister, contemplating the view, a yacht — neither the smallest nor largest in the marina — suddenly began to pull out. And simultaneously a small orange kayak appeared, paddling leisurely into the harbor, creating a dramatic contrast of the very large and the very small.

A small monopod helped me to steady the camera on the banister, allowing me to minimize the movement in shooting the scene, one of the playgrounds of the rich and famous. Nikon D200, ISO 200, Circular Polarizer.

jhm, Didi, MLINES, isabela_sor, devimeuxbe, kdialyna, snunney, Kielia, tober, Tezic, asajernigan, azaf1, stelli, paura, belido, feather, jwmunro, tomi1, ALIRIZA, jmcl, stego, JCG, gracious, danos, jaywalker, xavshot, AiresSantos, trekks, ilDottore, pablominto, Emile, Henryk_Bilor, axiotea, leo61, zeynepe, riclopes, meltemi, Uhu, didemay has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

carper (64784) 2008-10-19 0:04

wauw Bulent you had a great view there,
I see you made a photo of my yacht there, It's a nice one with a good pov, a fine details and a super shot, you can be a proud man for it, good photojob, have a good sunday.
regard jaap

mesutilgim (36743) 2008-10-19 0:20

Selam sevgili Bülent,
Demek senin Crystal Serenity'nin tepesinden böyle görünüyormuş Monaco limanı !
Ama gimmick muhteşem ; zavallı kano'cu çift büyük bir ihtimalle yollarını kaybetmişlerdir, yoksa orada ne işleri olabilir ki ?
Nefis bir kare.
Gözüne gönlüne sağlık
Tebrikler
Selam ve sevgiler
MESUT ILGIM

MLINES (10880) 2008-10-19 0:29

Hi Bulent. Ideal high POV to see the whole of this large vessel. It is a clear photo with ideal colours. The diagonal slope makes it stand out well. TFS. Murray.

isabela_sor (42136) 2008-10-19 0:31 [Comment]

Show Comment

devimeuxbe (55865) 2008-10-19 0:34

Hi Bulent
This perspective is very nice. i like the incredible contrasts you get between thses different boats. THis place look so busy.
Very nice and instructive picture
Well done
Bertrand

kdialyna (3068) 2008-10-19 0:51

Good morning my dear friend.
Your sensitive eye caught this really big different between the huge yacht and the small kayak and you made the right moment this interesting photo with somehow social extensions.
My best regards.
Kostas

snunney (34830) 2008-10-19 1:21

Hello Bulent,
An interesting and amusing juxtaposition between these two craft so different in size. The composition makes good use of the diagonal perspective on the two 'protagonists'. Very good photographic quality.

delic (6735) 2008-10-19 2:35

Your timing to frame that monstrous yacht was perfect. But what I like even more is the dwarfed orange kayak, which adds color and cuteness to the picture. The ugly buildings in the backdrop tell me that something has gone wrong in Monaco's construction history, just like in Istanbul. Regards,
Hakan

tober (3948) 2008-10-19 3:59

Merhaba Sayın Hocam, bu fotoğrafınızdaki kano bana 2005 sonunda Lizbon'dan motorsuz ve yelkensiz 7 metrelik teknesiyle okyanusa açılan ve sadece kas gücüyle kürek çekerek Atlantik geçişini başarıyla tamamlayan; daha sonra yine aynı şekilde ABD'deki Seatle'dan Pasifiğe açılan ve Filipinlere kadar sadece kürek çekerek giden ve okyanusta uzun süre kalma bağlamında Guinness Rekorlar Kitabı'na giren Erden Eruç'u anımsattı.

Zaman zaman teknesinde bulunan uydu telefonu aracılığıyla kendisiyle temas kurduğum Erden Eruç, okyanusta kendisini bekleyen en büyük tehlikelerin neler olduğunu sorduğumda, deniz trafiğinin yoğun olduğu ve büyük gemilerin sıkça geçtiği yerlerin biraz zorlu olduğunu belirtmişti.

Şimdi bu fotoğraftaki manzarayı gördüğümde aklıma Erden Bey'in anlattığı bu anektod geldi.

Elinize sağlık, çok saygılarımla, Tolga

Kielia (8465) 2008-10-19 4:14

Hello Bulent,
another variation of the fascinating story of David and Goliath and you have been on the right place to capture the most impressive juxtaposition. A fascinating shot with an excellent management of the light and great details of this famous place! Concerning the beauty I agree to Hakan!
Kind regards
Harriet

Tezic (16927) 2008-10-19 5:39

merhaba Bülent Bey,
Geri plandaki liman ve binaların net detayları, önde kano ve tüm heybetiyle yol alan yatın enfes konumu, renkler -özellikle denizin lacivert tonu- ile harika bir kare olmuş... tebrikler ve beni onurlandıran değerli yorumunuz için de çok teşekkürler ;))
sevgi ve saygılarımla,
tezic

asajernigan (14120) 2008-10-19 7:54

Bulent,
This shot shows excellent contrast between the mega yacht and the tiny canoe. Your composition is fine using an angle that creates nice and direction to the scene. The lighting and colors are fine with excellent sharpness and detail.
TFS,
Asa

BWJ (1773) 2008-10-19 8:15

Hello Bulent,
What a splendid composition taken from an excellent POV. The setting portrays an atmosphere of activity and excitement. I like the long diagonal of the yacht with a nice arrangement of boats in the port and a view of Monte Carlo in the background. There is a lovely contrast of blue and white. It is very well done with a good note too.
Kind regards,
Betty

azaf1 (15541) 2008-10-19 10:10

Hi Bulent
This is exactly the place to be with all the VIPs and their luxury. I like the square frame and the sideline created by the yacht and of course the contrast with the kayak. I guess it must have been a great experience to cruise around in that cruiser last summer
Have a great week
Argiris

stelli (2941) 2008-10-19 11:47

Thank God for the boats in this picture because the concrete of Piraeus is not the best site! Great POV and framing! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

paura (38348) 2008-10-19 15:15

Bulent,
Uma incrível imagem, mostrada de forma competente. O ponto de tomada é excelente e o resultado muito bonito. beleza de trabalho, amigo.

Abraços do Brasil

Paulo

belido (16421) 2008-10-19 16:30

Hi Bulent,

stunning composition. I'm impressed (always be) by the richness of Monaco. You found a very nice angle for catching the big one against the orange little. Nice to see the city at the back. Great work!
Abraço,
Carlos

anokutan (7595) 2008-10-20 0:58

Bülen bey merhaba,
Nefis kadaraj.Denizin rengine ve arkada çok tatlı köpük bırakan yatın konumuna bayıldım.Selam ve saygı.

feather (49860) 2008-10-20 2:45

We don't often see this view from this POV and it makes an excellent image. As well as the difference in size to which you allude in your note it is also apparent there is a huge difference in size between this yacht and "your" ship. Good use of the "carper" format too.
Kath

jhm (82461) 2008-10-20 3:18

Hello Dear Bulent,

You was on a very richly place, where the yacht boats each other almost push aside, bigger and bigest.
I see these boats very gladly lie in the port.
Splendid picture, you took this marina on a very nice manner, also a part of the city in background.
Composition and presentation are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day my friend,
John.

jwmunro (6573) 2008-10-20 6:34

Hello Bulent -

Small, large, and largest boats forms an interesting scene in this small harbor. The splash of orange from the smallest adds so much to a scene that is rather monotone or flat toned. This well seen and presented.

Thank you for sharing.

John

tomi1 (1240) 2008-10-20 9:54

Oeiras,20-10-2008
Bulent Atalay
These are beautiful yachts with the most modern fit. The manufacture of these ships employs people and is ever a technologic advancing. In fact only some famous people may own them to be in the best places of the world. I do admire them. In such boats many human relations have the ideal environment for being shared, to feel other natural pleasures. I have never visited Monaco and this picture already shows me a little of its wealth. Best regards. Domingos

ALIRIZA (16197) 2008-10-20 13:15

Merhaba Bülent Abi,
Küçük kırmızı kano mini mini, sevimli bir kontrast oluşturmuş. Beyaz ve mavinin ağırlığıyla güzel bir şehir manzarası. Ellerinize sağlık...
Saygılarımla...
Ali Rıza

gunbud (27833) 2008-10-20 17:05

Hi Bulent,
Love the high POV that highlights this luxurious vessel steaming out of the harbor. All the white pleasure crafts contrast brilliantly with the blue Med.
The lovely architecture of the old principality make a wonderful background for this powerful shot.
The little orange kayak must prepare for the wake of this huge modern vessel.
Regards, Tom

jmcl (13771) 2008-10-20 17:23

Hi Bulent,

hope you and yours are well.

This image is so immediately striking .. and so balanced .. both in terms of composition .. and in the way the white and blue interact and the way the softer building tones act as a framing counterweight against them ... very nice. take care, John

stego (22352) 2008-10-20 17:24

Hello Bülent,
At first I thought that the small was that yacht that cuts nicely the lower diagonal and the big was the ship where you stood when you shot this wonderful photo. It turned there is another scale of big and small. What a sense of observation and opportunity! If the shot was triggered just a few seconds before or after and the image wouldn't have half the impact and the same would happen if any of the boats had tuned slightly to the left or the right or if the kayak hadn't such a vivid colour. But the boats are just the FG, the BG is equally beautiful. Namely the tracks on the water add much interest and dynamism to the image.
Regards, José.

JCG (25291) 2008-10-20 22:28

Hi Bülent,

Unusual point of view on the port of the principality of Monaco. Indeed what a contrast as well in the size as in the color !!! A photograph with multitudes of interesting details and quite luminous. Pretty glance Bülent.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-10-21 0:45

Hello Bulent
So you went to the millionaires playground, any idea how much in American dollars these boats all add up to? Quite astonishing probably but that is the world we live in. The boats are fab and so they should be for the price tag but the small orange boat in the FG really makes my day. With all the money here, the small Kayak really grabs this scene in my opinion. So dwarfed it is.
Excellent Bulent, thanks for the note.
Jim

gracious (20017) 2008-10-22 1:02

Merhaba Bulent,
Selamlah!
Thank you for this wonderful highground view on the great city!
must be a city for the rich with those expensive yachts around with big and small!
very nice colour and details
well done
greeting
Tony

jrj (34779) 2008-10-22 4:56

Fantastic place this Monacco Bulent. Really somewhere to show off for some all their financial power - too bad many of these supermens had a knock out in their economy the last weeks... what a tradegy too park that yacht in the backyard.. hehe..

You got yourself a perfect contrast here with the cayacker going in to harbour..

Last time I was there I had the pleasure to have a chopper lift from Nice to Monacco- also a kind of 'fancy' way to arrive ;-)

danos (32400) 2008-10-23 6:50

Hello Bulent,
The big and the small or David and Goliath.Very nice and panoramic shot of Monte Carlo harbour with the expensive yachts.In all the whiteness of the boats,the tiny orange kayak looks like as a discordant voice.Well done.

Regards,Danos

windosil (770) 2008-10-23 10:02

Yes, Bulent, I could repeat what has already been said about the large and small vessels. But the real eye-opener is seeing how tightly packed together the buidings are, and how high they rise. And how many small boats are tied up in the far corner of the harbour! What a competetive place it must be. I like the touches of red and orange in the buildings, and the brilliant blues. a satisfying picture.
Best wishes,
Winifred

jaywalker (12190) 2008-10-23 15:38

Hi Bulent, A great piece of observation with the big & small passing each other, a wonderful view across the harbour, I was there earlier this year & loved the place, that is a great vassal & I would not mind going out to sea on it, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

KemaLMerT (11164) 2008-10-24 15:41

merhaba, kırmızı lekesi ile harika bir fotoğraf, kutlarım. selamlar, sevgiler

xavshot (62389) 2008-10-25 4:31

Bonjour Bulent
la photo est bien composée et le POV excellent. C'est vrai que le gros yacht est plutôt impressionnant comparé aux autres. Belle image.
amicalement
Xavier

AiresSantos (42040) 2008-10-25 4:50

Hi Bulent
great view from Monaco.
Many kind of yacht and boats in the harbour.
Fine details and sharpness
TFs and have a nice Week
Aires

trekks (14292) 2008-10-25 23:58

hello Bulent

This is the 1st time I see the marina side of Monaco and the so many luxury boats here really spell out the rich and famous.

Amongst the white vessels the small orange one stands out nicely.

I can see the cluster and crowded buildings here.

tfs, bill

ilDottore (4004) 2008-10-27 7:38

Dear Professor Atalay,
Beautiful image with good captured contrast between the big and small one. The difference in colours highlights this contrast additionally.
As we can see, they swim in different directions - this is slightly symbolic for me. :)
But what I like most in your photo is the beautiful panorama of Monte Carlo yacht port with beautifully separated grounds.
First, the Russian billionaire in his BIG yacht, then the yahts of "ordinary" millionaires, then, on the background, thickly builded houses.
Some day I have to visit this impressive place.
Kindest Regards
Chris

Emile (19961) 2008-10-27 14:30

Hola Bulent.
Your shot bring me good memories of my recent cruise in the Crystal Celebrity that ended in Monte Carlo. Very good picture of the yachts in the bay, your high POV give us a nice view of the crowded Monte Carlo's bay with all the new modern buildings constructed during the last several years breaking the old type of architecture typical of this beautiful place.
Wonderful composition, good sharpness and colors.
Well done.
Best wishes.

ahmetgedikli (21877) 2008-10-28 14:12

Monaco limanı sizin objektifinizden nefis görünüyor... Geri pilanın karmaşıklığı yanında ön tarafta birbirine zıt küçük ve büyük yatların belirgin varlığı oldukça dikkat çekici...
Ellerinize sağlık, selamlar, saygılar Hocam.
Ahmet

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2008-10-28 15:54

Hi Bulent
Wow, great comparison between the big and small ones :). I could not notice it if didn`t see the title... Nice composition and light.
Regards

axiotea (16081) 2008-10-29 5:06

Hello Bulent
The morning light was quite attractive and combined together with the polarizer, it created a pleasant atmosphere. The tight framing for this image is interesting and shows well how busy is the harbor!
Greeting from Thailand
Marilyn

leo61 (43398) 2008-10-29 14:15

Hi Bulent !
A great shot of this playground for the rich....
I think I have two work about 350 years to afford such a boat.....
Great POV and excellent composition with is luxury ship leaving the harbour.The little orange canoe makes the composition perfect.
Regards,Leo

zeynepe (9342) 2008-10-29 23:27

Gunaydin Bulent Bey,
Monte Carlo limanini high POV ile muhtesem yansitmissiniz, kanoda dolasan cifte acidim biraz, herhalde yollarini kaybetmisler , yatlarin hepsi muhtesem duruyor.
Tebrikler/iyi gunler,
zeynep

fkokol (1614) 2008-10-30 3:43

Monte Carlo'dan harika bir kare.. sehir ve liman cok guzel gozukuyor. Renkler ve kompozisyon cok hos. ellerinize saglik,

figen

pablominto (40600) 2008-11-01 8:46

Hello Bulent,

Great point of view and an interesting subject!
Probably one of the most impressive marinas in the world as far as vessels are concerned, hehehe!
And you record it all very well, thanks to your elevated point of view and fine details...

Greetings,
Pabølo -

Didi (36078) 2008-11-01 11:48

Salam Bulent
Did you find my ship ?
Nice dominant view on rhe subject; it's a marvellous place.
Perhaps it's possible to adust the normal optic distortion with ShiftN.
But it's a good quality picture with an interesting comment.
Kind regards.

polpo56 (7942) 2008-11-02 10:35

Hi Bulent,
you have seen the kayak only for his orange colour, I think...
In this landscape every thing is many impressive: big houses, big yacht...
Perhaps there is also a normal people here, not only V.I.P.
Ciao
Ludo

Bluejeans (32227) 2008-11-06 11:44

Ola Bulent,
Linda foto esta deste gigante iate e magnifico faz um belo contraste com o pequeno barco cor de laranja , muito belos os detalhes dos edifícios , boas cores, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Yar (795) 2008-11-09 9:25

Hello, Bulent,

it's been lonmg time since I came to trekearth...
very nice image in its contrast and the place is extraordinary.
it was a good catch, indeed :)

riclopes (32977) 2008-11-10 0:56

Olá Bulent, the contrast that you achieved bettween the two is fantastic but that's not all that is interesting here. I always imagine this place of the rich and famous (as you mentioned in the note) as something out of the world context, even absurd. And this image show me a bit of that. The scenery of white yachts and the density of construction filling the background is incredible. I don't think I would feel confortable there, even if I was rich ;-) Now, I see a couple of people on the pier above the kayak, so tiny...But the orange 'peanut' is indeed a great detail.
warm regards,
ricardo

jemaflor (39323) 2008-11-13 10:38

Hi Bulent,
Good pov to give an impressive contrast between these boats, interesting result for an original shot.

tetixxx (1921) 2008-11-16 3:12

merhabalar,
bakış açınız çok güzel..güzel bir kare olmuş..slmlar
said

meltemi (9746) 2008-11-22 1:21

Hello dear Bulent,
this is a very good "slice-of-life" picture of a typical crowded harbour that works well because of the composition, various elements (moving boat, still boat, buoys, and buildings), and quality of light. The contrast between the "luxurious toy" and the small red cayack is striking. Very interesting note as always.
All the best.
Stella

edal (6571) 2008-11-24 5:17

Merhaba Bulent Bey,
It's a wonderful capture of this "gambling" and f1 place. Your excellent pov has presented us with a spectacular panorama. Tesekkurler,
Anton

Uhu (7376) 2008-12-03 8:14

Expensive things! These are really are.
Very good, very balanced photo, I like it very much!

nivaldo (13085) 2008-12-19 10:43

I wished it was mine! (Just kidding. I´m not sure if I would be happier... Anyway!)
Nice to see it , Bulent!
Um abraço, good Christmas time for you!
Nivaldo

flatwin (1934) 2008-12-23 11:48

bonsoir

intéressante prise de vue de ce yacht, le comparatif avec la barque rouge nous montre la taille de ce bateau

Arnaud

Angshu (33637) 2009-01-11 0:46

Hello Professor 'A'
What a yacht! Streamlined almost to perfection like an arrowhead piercing through the water. Till I read your note, I did not notice the small kayak, perhaps, more to do with my awe at seeing the regal yacht itself. Yes the contrast is fascinating, not only in colour but in almost everything. The orange stands out against the deep blue of the sea. We see a 'jungle' of yachts in the BG & also a 'jungle' of houses. Beautiful!
With Warmest Regards
Angshuman

boa (1338) 2009-04-25 2:27

Hi Bulent,
impressive size of that boat ! A good contrast to the small colorful canoe who stands out in this photo. Fine Pov where we have a good overview of Monaco. Well done and Tfs !
Have a nice day !
Boa