Deserted Pier, a photo from West Sussex, England

Photographer's Note

I thought that I would continue with the Worthing theme (sorry about the tilted horizon in the last picture!). A pier in England is often associated with the image of Victorian pleasure piers when seaside resorts were becoming popular. In recent years some have got negleted and are rather tatty reminders of their past. Worthing pier opened in 1862 which was updated in 1888 with a 650-seat pavilion. Storm damage in 1913 led to it being rebuilt the following year. Fire damaged it in 1933 and again it was repaired. In 1940 a large hole was blown in the pier as a measure against invasion.
Worthing pier is 290m long and today has the Pavilion theatre, an amusement arcade, a cafe and a nightclub.
Walking on the pier last week it was busy with fishermen and people strolling on the east side. Looking towards the other side of some glass partitions running down the middle of the pier it was deserted of people as this picture shows. I soon found out the reason - the strong winds were cold and made it difficult to walk! The photo shows some tyical pier architecture. I enclose a WS of the pier from the shore.

tyro, timecapturer, jester5, jester5, bayno, macjake, kennyblack, carlosmarin, tatadalou has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Sergiom (39184) 2012-04-29 6:07

Bonjour Ann,

J'aime bien la construction de cette image. Le cadrage vertical va chercher les éléments intéressants et les place dans un bel ordre graphique.

Amicalement

Serge

tyro (13065) 2012-04-29 6:36

Hello Ann,

This photograph is peerless! Just had to get that off my chest, sorry.

Actually, it is indeed excellent: the composition is so pleasing, that large post perfectly placed on the right vertical "thirds" line, the boards of the decking making a fine diagonal across the lower part and the curve of the staircase leading the eye perfectly to the upper levels on the left. And a lovely enticing view of the distant horizon through that narrow gap and of the lamppost through a glass panel.

Lovely colours, perfect exposure and contrasts and exquisite detail and sharpness.

Your workshop picture (with the straight horizon!) gives an excellent overview.

Absolutely Peerless!

Kind Regards,

John.

yquem46 (32247) 2012-04-29 6:41

Hi Ann
I like this play on lights and shadows and the graphism in the compo
Nothing complicated here, just plain elegance
Best regards
Patrick

wolf38 (28166) 2012-04-29 9:22

Hello Ann. This photo convinced by his successful composition. Every detail has its ideal place. The shadow came across well. Well seen and presented. Informative text. Rgds, Wolfgang.

timecapturer (30300) 2012-04-30 3:15

Hi Ann
like this composition, it is a well observed shot and beautifully conceived. Great use of light and shade which make the sweeping lines and elements all work so effectively. Imaginative and creative imagery, presented excellently.

Have a great week - Brian.

jester5 (1620) 2012-04-30 4:36

Perfect composition with light and shadow creating something timeless somehow.I have never been to Worthing but this shot makes me want to go there, and wondering too,how did you manage to get it so empty?Usually these places are heaving with people.Like John I really like the view of the lamp through the entrance glass.Excellent photograph Ann.

patdeph (35738) 2012-04-30 7:55

hello Ann
nice graphism of lines and curves,enhanced by the shadows, and the tight framing.The colors are superb.Very well seen.
Regards
Pascale

bayno (16175) 2012-04-30 10:33

Hi Ann,
excellent light and very good management, I like the geometry of this shot, a successful composition, very nice too the WS...warm regards,
Valter

Nicou (97637) 2012-05-01 0:53

Hello

Sueprbe jeu de lumière et effet graphsique sur cet escalier fantastique vue et cpatage qul rendu et effet quelle vue et iamge, une emrvielle.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

speedymanu (3148) 2012-05-01 1:00

Hello Ann,

a sophisticated composition (for instance the way you've framed the lamp post on the right side) and an effective use of shadows add dynamics and impact to the final image. Thanks for sharing,

Emmanuel

Glint (5571) 2012-05-01 3:44

hello Ann,
there is so much to admire here.I like the dark sweep of the stairs, the play of shadows and shapes and the playful element of the lamp post seen through the square of glass on the right.For me, good photographs demonstrate that a camera owner has also a photographer's eye.Anyone can snap a pleasing image but this is something more.
best regards,
Bev

abmdsudi (26215) 2012-05-01 7:29

Hi Ann
I like your approach and ideas! brilliant architectural detail finely cropped. An inevitably impressive strong graphism, with perspectives and light display. Excellent results, strong lines, curves, shadows and colors. Creative works, Well done
Kind regards

macjake (39227) 2012-05-02 1:51

Hi Ann
very smart looking photo you have created here.
You cut the existing subject into a collection of geometric shapes.
its also a good thing you mentioned this is a pier, i thought it was the deck of a ship!
very well done, especially with the composition.
Cheers
Craig

UlfE (13730) 2012-05-02 12:59

Hi Ann,

An excellent photo of the deserted pier. I love the way you play with the lines and shapes in your composition. The lighting is perfect and you even make use of the shadows in your composition. TFS and have nice evening!

Cheers,

Ulf

kennyblack (4105) 2012-05-05 5:01

Hello Ann
Beautiful image full of detail and with a great light. Bello the 'beginning of the spiral staircase which invites you to go up, the little piece of the sea and the lamp hidden in the tables. I really like. Thanks for having shared.
The best regard's, have a nice day ... Marino

carlosmarin (11948) 2012-05-10 1:08

Hello Ann,
A beautiful composition of the different elements of the pier, no people, completely deserted. With a beautiful play of light and shadow.
Excellent work.
Regards, Carlos

npecanhuk (53889) 2012-05-10 7:07

Hello Ann!
This picture (totally different than the other one - with wild life subject) also pleased me a lot!
I specially enjoyed the vertical format, management of light and, of course, composition! Shapes, textures, bright and dark elements were harmoniously placed together here!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

tatadalou (3247) 2012-06-01 13:50

Hello Ann,
What I particularly like in this photo, is the fact that you succeed, with only a few details, to evoke the architectural ambience of this pier. The game of shadows and light adds a touch of graphism.
Regards,
Delphine

mjw364 (3662) 2012-06-12 12:48

Hello Again

Its the shapes that make this for me - the vertical lines against the curve of the staircase and the shadow - also the post in the foreground is given scale by the smaller post through the gap in a kind of reverse scale perspective that makes the graphic feel more three dimensional if you see what I mean! Well cropped and composed.

Michael