THE FLOATING DECK Photo

Photographer’s Note

THE FLOATING DECK

Among my photographic archives I recently found a 14-year old slide that had always been among my favorites, and just recently I got around to scanning it. It depicts the cruise ship, Royal Viking Queen, shrouded by a thick blanket of fog in one of the magical fjords of Norway, its upper decks seemingly floating above the opaque layers of the fog. A tender that carries passengers from the anchored ship to a small dock is seen emerging from the fog soup. Carrying only about 220 passengers, “the Queen” was the most elegant small ship of its day, and I had been giving lectures on the cruise that commenced at Tower Bridge in London, crossed over the North Sea to Bergen and then meandered its way up to the North Cape. In the 'Land of the midnight sun,' I remember taking photographs on the deck at midnight on the day of the summer solstice (June 21). Indeed, this time of year the sun does not set, making a low dip and rising again. As the ship made its southward trajectory, it again visited a few fjords, and we eventually disembarked in Oslo, and flew back to the United States.

Geirangerfjord, seen in this photograph, was among the fjords the Queen visited on its southward itinerary. I understand the fjord is approximately 700 meters (over 2000 feet) in depth, one of the deepest among the myriad magical coves on the western coast of Norway. Like the other fjords, it was carved during the glaciation period, or ice age — spanning the period 1.3 million to 11,000 years ago. Large boulders pulled along by retreating glaciers created many of the deep valleys by abrasive action.

This will probably be the last photograph I will submit to TE for awhile, as I am about to begin a sojourn of twenty-four days on the Crystal Serenity, the most elegant of the mid-size ships in existence today. The Serenity consistently ranks as #1 on Condé Nast Traveler's annual list. I would like to bid my good friends at TE a very pleasant August. On the cruise I will meet José Pires (stego) when the cruise visits Barcelona, and several other TE-friends when the ship arrives in Istanbul.

Bulent

Nikon N90, Kodachrome 64, 70-210 Nikkor Zoom lens.

goodwill, carper, Kielia, robiuk, Mediterranean, isabela_sor, ALIRIZA, vixchris, dareco, zeca, zeynepe, Henryk_Bilor, Cretense, salvator, AiresSantos, zmey, jhm, MLINES, Didi, adores, Emile, AROBN54, PaulVDV, Charo, stego, jaywalker, rigoletto, Wanda1 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

brandstaetter (14186) 2008-07-29 9:42

Hi Bulent,
a mysterious scene, the small boat is also necessary and an important part of composition. Good quality of scan.
Compliments, Christian

mortijo (12264) 2008-07-29 9:47

Hello Bulent,

A magnificent shot you have here. Excellent scan quality and an excellent note. The whole image has a magic athmosphere. We travelled Norway this year. North to Kirkenes by car and tha n, with the Nordkapp back south to Bergen, and further south by car to Kristiansand. I started posting photos a week ago.
Regards
John

carper (64948) 2008-07-29 9:53

very nice fot s scan from 14 year back my friend.
you captured a fantastic atmosphere here, good balance and a pleasure to look at, good photojob here, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

mesutilgim (36868) 2008-07-29 9:56

Selam sevgili Bülent,
Şiir gibi bir kare ! Minimalist ama çık etkili.
Bakıyorum yavaş yavaç cruise'un havasına giriyorsun!
Tebrikler
Selam ve sevgiler
MESUT ILGIM

emka (21578) 2008-07-29 10:05

Hi Bulent,
Wonderful photo from the old slide. The fog makes it mysterious and indeed, it seems that the deck floats. But I prefer when I can see something in sunny day:). I liked my trip to Norway very much. I haven't seen this fjord but saw the most impressive ones from Bergen to Trondheim. You have good job giving the lectures during the crises - nice and useful. I wish you wonderful days on Crystal Serenity.
Warmest regards

Malgorzata

P.S. In a month I will be in USA! I am looking forward to it.

Kielia (8509) 2008-07-29 10:14

Good evening, Bulent
and congratulation to this amazing composition which is also perfectly scanned. The fog creates a magical atmosphere! And the light is wonderful too. Phantastic work.
I wish you a pleasant sojourn on the Crystal Serenety!
Warm regards
Harriet

robiuk (10763) 2008-07-29 10:32

Nice bluish foggy shot, Bulent.
Indeed, it looks as if the ship's floating...
Love the mist and overall duotone colourspace.
Have a good cruise,
Robi

avene (11032) 2008-07-29 11:33

hello Bülent,
I like a lot this moody photo, the gradually changing blue tones create an elegant and somewhat mysterious scene. the ship and the boat are placed just right in the frame to create an angle in the composition that fits well this m inimalistic image. superb quality for the scan, excellent work.

with best regards,
Kristine

Mediterranean (870) 2008-07-29 12:45

hi professor
really an impressive photo
the fog makes an outstanding image in this picture,it reminds me phantom ship in the famous movie''Pirates of the Caribbean'':)
i travelled to adriatic shores with the similar ship a few weeks ago,it was first experience for me and i prefer the land travel:))
perfect picture,congrats
best wishes

isabela_sor (42175) 2008-07-29 12:48 [Comment]

Show Comment

ALIRIZA (16197) 2008-07-29 13:20

Merhaba Bülent Abi,
Arşivinizde neler varmış, neler. Sis bulutlarının içerisinde etkileyici enfes bir manzara, tablo gibi. Ellerinize sağlık...
Selam ve saygılarımla...
Ali Rıza

vixchris (277) 2008-07-29 14:06

Dear Bulent
A very well captured shot, which indeed merits digging into your old slides. The ship looks like a ghost, there in the background.
By the time you read this you will have probably returned from your cruise. I look forward to seeing some more photos taken from the Crystal Serenity,
All the best, Vicky

dareco (17104) 2008-07-29 21:10

Wishing you a wonderful trip!! I love this picture, the boats, the fog....oh! a beautiful sight to this prairie girl :) TFS

zeca (20026) 2008-07-29 22:24

Hello Bulent!
Very nice capture from the foggy fjords of Norway! Amazing scnene!
Regards,
Zeca

zeynepe (9342) 2008-07-29 22:46

So the fog shows up and there's a ghost ship, everything is vanishing slowly , except the small boat...
I wonder which country you are in , and hope that your cruise is awesome :)
Best regards,
Zeynep

azaf1 (15547) 2008-07-30 1:24

Hi Bulent
A pity you won't be sailing our way. The capture of the Royal Viking Queen, really artistically shot, is great in the special lighting conditions of the area and the misty atmosphere.
May you have ΟΥΡΙΟΣ ΑΝΕΜΟΣ in your voyages.
Argiris

Dpbours (220) 2008-07-30 4:21

Hello Bulent,

It is actually a cruise ship! The moment I saw it, I thought it was a hoovercraft which bottom was hidden by the spray of water of the turbines.
"Stavanger Fjord, seen in this photograph...", hahaha, I like that! There is nothing to be seen here in the background next to a thick fog :-))). Very nice atmosphere and wonderful detail of that little boat bringing passengers to the shore. Good note as well. Wonderful to read about your adventures with giving lectures on the ship. Thanks for sharing!

Greetings,
Dennis

Henryk_Bilor (20367) 2008-07-30 7:19

Hi Bulent
Impressive capture of this flying ship. Great mood and composition with the boat in the right corner to compare.
Have a nice holidays:).

Cretense (56282) 2008-07-30 8:18

Hello dear Bulent!

Is this the Bermuda triangle, where ships and airplanes, misteriously dissapear? Well, excellent, unusual and very impressive photo, great framing and composition! Congratulations!

Warm regards,
Hercules

salvator (18819) 2008-07-30 9:41

Hello Bulent Bey,
The misty atmosphere, the small boat emerging from the mist and the big one disappering and half seen from within looks absolutely wonderful.
Best personal regards. Salvator.

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-07-30 18:43

Hello Bulent
Fantastic atmospheric shot with the boat disappearing with great neutral colours.
Very good scan and the small boat does add great depth to this image. Well captured Bulent, and informative note as ever.
Regards
Jim

pablominto (40788) 2008-07-31 3:01

Hello Bulent,

A landscape wrapped in fog is normally not ideal photo setting, but there are exceptions if we're able to spot them!
This is an amazing capture, where the fog becomes the photographer's friend and not enemy...
Interesting atmosphere in a fine composition!

Greetings,
Pablo -

AiresSantos (42194) 2008-07-31 3:57

Hi Bulent
Nice composition with lovely feg effect. I like so much this kind of pictures. Very good quality taking in consideration you scanned it
TFS and have a nice day
Aires

zmey (7250) 2008-07-31 7:59

merhaba bulent

magnificent foggy shot. i feel, the TE size does not give it its due. would much rather see it poster sized... my compliments!

good luck with your trip!

warm regards,
kristaps

trekks (14320) 2008-07-31 17:54

hi Bulent

I like the thick fog here in creating a feel of mystery around the boats. Good quality scan, I must say.

I studied about geography and fjord in high school and almost forgotten about it and this word is really very rare for Malaysians. Until I see this post and your informative note.

tfs, bill

jhm (82629) 2008-08-01 0:33

Hello Bulent,

I read alway your note with a lot attention, I learn glad something on TE, you as great man gives us the possibility.
A very nice picture with the misty around the boat, exactly a little bit spooky with the gray colour, do my think to my the naval force period.
Nice composition and good presentation. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

anokutan (7685) 2008-08-01 11:16

Bülent Bey merhaba,
Arkadaki gemi sanki havadaymış gibi görüntü vermiş.Sis altında kalan kompozisyon nefis.Selamlar.

WepWaWet (3955) 2008-08-02 11:44

Merhaba Bulent Bey,
Bu kareniz bana Bermuda Seytan Ucgeni ile ilgili okuduklarimi hatirlatti. Sis muhtesem bir atmosfer olusturmus. Harika bir kompozisyon. Elinize saglik.
Selamlar,
Seref

yedirenk (7387) 2008-08-03 1:42

Merhaba Bülent bey,
ilginç bir kare.arka plandaki gemi sanki havada asılı gibi görünüyor.kadraj ve derinlik çok etkileyici.sis harika bir efekt oluşturmuş.elinize sağlık.selamlar

Cevdet

TGULUMSER (12514) 2008-08-03 8:17

Hello Bulent Bey,
First of all I wish you an excellent holiday, will be waiting for your wonderful shots. This composition is very nice, just like a dream,
Best regards,
Tulay

MLINES (10884) 2008-08-03 14:43

Hi Bulent. A very nautical ambiance flows from this fine composition. Creative work and most interesting notes as alway. Look forward to see some photos upon your return. TFS. Murray.

adores (15577) 2008-08-03 17:53

Hi Bulent!
Good idea to show this one! I especially like the atmosphere of the fog and the boats passing through it. Very good work with the scanner also!

sacavem (8311) 2008-08-04 3:00

Nice composition with lovely feg effect, Bulent.
I desire to it good vacations of rest.
Filipe

Didi (36172) 2008-08-04 4:57

Salam Bulent
Interesting foggy composition, the ship seems to travel nowhere.
Very good quality of picture scan.
Kind regards.

Emile (20001) 2008-08-04 22:29

Hola Bulent.
Excellent composition, the ship almost cover by the fog creates a good mysterious image, lovely way to captured the boat coming out of the fog, great work with your very good scan.

I'm taking the Crystal Serenity on the 12th of September in Venice, a nice cruise around Italy, including Croatia and disembarking on the 24th in Monte Carlo, hope you will be there.
Best regards.

stelli (2949) 2008-08-05 8:05

This wonderful and mysterious! Great illusion and considering it is scanned excellent coloring! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

AROBN54 (10777) 2008-08-06 8:22

Warm greetings, Bulent!
What a lovely and unique photo. I love the way the ship stands out above the fog and the small boat is in such good focus appearing to be fleeing from the larger one. Wonderful quality for a scan of such age. It's really kind of spooky looking. No wonder it's one of your favorites, it's marvelous! Many thanks and warm regards,
Shelly

PaulVDV (5240) 2008-08-06 11:53

Hello Bulent,
Very good capture, also of the small boat in the right corner which is essential for the impression of the floating cruise ship in this misty atmosphere.
Best wishes, Paul

ribeiroantonio (21921) 2008-08-12 18:29

I hope you can see your cruise ship better than in here! This is a very mysterious picture as we can not recognise the ship. Well done.
Antonio

fkokol (1614) 2008-08-18 5:36

Sisler icerisinde harika bir kompoziyon yakalamissiniz. Yillar sonrasinda bizim icin guzel bir sunum olmus. gecte olsa size iyi tatiller simdiden.
selamlar,

figen

Charo (31671) 2008-08-19 6:22

Hello Bulent,
A very unique image with a great atmosphere. Excellent and making good time.
Best regards,
Charo

stego (22360) 2008-08-24 9:23

Hello dear Bülent,

I have been waiting for your return to comment this one about which we had told me in Barcelona.

You produced a wonderful image, using a a very fine compo. The atmosphere has something magic, ethereal, with the ship slowly diving in the fog and the boat running away from it quickly. The title is well chosen, as the only thing visible from the ship is the deck, float immaterially in the fog. I like very much the natural monochrome, that reminds a black & white turned into blue & white.

Hats off for the scan and PP. I guess that it didn't result from any technique you used, but

PS: I hope you and Carol Jean had a good time during your holidays and your leg is already healed. I knew by Zeynep that the TE meeting in Istambul happened (silly me, why wouldn't it happen :-).

Regards, José.

BWJ (1773) 2008-08-24 17:49

Hello Bulent,
This is a lovely composition with the small boat heading out away from the ship floating in the cloud of fog. The various tones of blue are soft and delicate. Hope your cuise on the Crystal Serenity was pleasant. Will be wathcing for pictures from your August travel on TE.
Warm wishes,
Betty

meltemi (9746) 2008-08-25 2:28

Hello Bulent,
you have beautifully captured this magnificent moment, a simphony of grey and blue colors and the details are very good, although it is a scanned picture. Nice sharpness and light balancing. I like it a lot, very relaxing photo. Scenery with very good composition.
All the best.
Stella

ryno (4617) 2008-08-25 6:00

Hi Bulent, I like the ghostly atmosphere of this photo. The speedboat seems to appear out of nothingness, while the cruise ship appears to be swallowed by it. Minimalist and very appealing. Elenize sağlık!
Ryno

kristina (275) 2008-08-25 9:15

Does this ship arrive to Belarus, Bulent?)))
Brilliant picture, quiet, silent, mystical and enigmatic!
Thank You!
Kristina

jaywalker (12190) 2008-08-25 13:00

Hi Bulent, A ghost ship if ever I sore one, the spooky atmosphere is excellent, the overall composition with the speed boat racing towards the lens has been captured brilliantly, wonderful soft colours, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

keribar (42756) 2008-08-25 22:11

Hello Bulent,

You were right to think about it as one of your favorites. It is really mysterious and the general atmosphere it cnoveys is incredible. Please keep searching your valuable archive for more.
Warm regards - Izzet

tehanu_f (6874) 2008-08-27 1:10

tatilde oldugum zamana rastlamis ve bu muthis fotografi kacirmisim. gercekustu bir goruntu. mono renk de modern mary celeste'e cok yakismis. tebrikler.
selamlar,
fusun

rigoletto (26326) 2008-08-31 1:11

Hello Dear Professor,
It was a pity missing the chance to meet you on Friday, but i was on a vacation in Eastern Black Sea region on that day. But i was in Istanbul Modern's restaurant when the Crystal Serenity was leaving on Sunday. Then i was talking with my girlfriend whether you could be on that ship. So you were! What a missed chance!
Anyway, this is a very nice photo of the cruiseship in fog. The mysterious atmosphere is one of a kind. I like it a lot.
Best regards,
Deniz

Bluejeans (32439) 2008-09-01 13:05

Ola amigo ,
Muito dramática esta tua foto de nevoeiro com o navio de passageiros quase a desaparecer no meio da neblina , fizeste um bom trabalho de scan , os detalhes ficaram muito bons , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

papagolf21 (56451) 2008-09-03 13:34

Bonsoir, mon bon ami Bulent,
Image étonnante et magique tout droit sortie d'un rêve. Le bateau en arrière-plan semble flotter au-dessus des eaux et donne l'impression d'un navire-fantôme hantant les mers.
Très belle réussite photographique.
J'espère que les vacances ont été enrichissantes à tous points de vue.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Angshu (33729) 2008-09-04 0:28

Hello Professor "A"
Great to see you back from the cruise. I'm sure you had a great trip. Moody is the word which has been mentioned by many critiques & moody this shot is...very mysterious as well as the fog has enveloped almost the whole of the BG as the tender (didn't know this term) emerges from the blanket. The quality of the image is excellent & scan quality is fine as well. As an image, it has the quality to definitely be one of your favourities.
With Warmest Regards
Angshuman
PS : A young Indian boy who had worked as a trainee with me & studying in an Engineering college in Virginia, may contact you, as I had requested him to. Since I might not have the privilege in meeting you, at least I can do so indirectly now through this boy. Hope you wouldn’t mind.

devimeuxbe (55867) 2008-09-10 15:52

Hi Bulent
What a beautifull vision. This boat in the fog is beautifull. Very nice and strange vision.
Well done
Bertrand

kensimage (8541) 2008-09-12 7:13

Nice atmosphere here, Bulent. It's more than just a recording of what something looks like--it takes a point of view on its subject, saying that it's shrouded in mystery and maybe a little intrigue. (Or maybe not, in reality, but so what?) I think that counts for a lot more than just showing us what something looks like. Regards, Ken.

scalerman (25741) 2008-09-13 17:09

Bulent: I like the dissolved effect you were lucky enough to spot here - a magical, other-worldly shot. Welcome back, c

emjleclercq (14324) 2008-09-16 23:14

A very nice fog view, wihch is also a good illustration that fog remains low over the ground or, like here, the sea.

All the best,

Emmanuel

Buin (37756) 2008-09-17 8:26

Hallo Bulent!
I like this one! You show here (then) modern technics in a very special and an a bit mystic atmosphere. The lack of nearly all colours males this picture additionally worth seeing. Truly a not everyday photo. As I said - I like it!
Greetings from autumnal cool Germany1
Frank

Graal (58065) 2008-09-18 0:14

Hi Bulent,
amazing image, like painted. Good work. Friends all told You. I like this work also.
Gr., Aleksander

COSTANTINO (22775) 2008-09-24 10:27

Hello Bulent,
First of all thanks for all your useful notes very interesting and necessary for all of us.
Second thanks for sharing this wonderful
photo,very artistic,well done and well seen
Regards and compliments for your work
Costantino

Wanda1 (10989) 2008-10-04 7:45

Hi Bulent,
Ther is so much fog that the boat is actually turning invisible, I like that. Lovely monochromatic colouring and I like the dynamic with the small boat coming towards us.
Regards
Wanda

Yves-triga (3507) 2008-11-23 7:54

Hello Bulent,
I like this view with the mist.
Good composition.
Well done.
Yves

vmukherjee (395) 2008-12-03 19:37

Amazing shot! You have captured a captivating shot.

lraew (42) 2009-02-09 17:51

Dear Bulent,
Beautiful photograph. It only emphasizes a well known fact that some of the very best photos are shot during some of the most inclement weather. The weather no doubt creates a total mood and shroud of serenity. Best wishes on your trip. See you on the other side.
Lisa

Photo Information

Copyright: Bulent Atalay (batalay) (20984)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1994-06-26
Categories: Nature
Camera: Nikon N90, Nikkor 70-210 f4.5-5.6
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): MOODS OF THE SEA, Pre-digital III (stego), Moody [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-29 9:39