The Harbour, Pittenweem Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is the little harbour in Pittenweem, a small fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife.

This village is the only one in the East Neuk still with a working harbour. Although there are fewer boats sailing from here now than in days gone by, it is a unique opportunity to see the daily landings and early morning market. Pittenweem fresh fish is bought here and sold by the many local fish vans who travel all over Scotland selling the fish. In fact, we frequently buy fish in Lanark from a van which has travelled the 80-odd miles from Pittenweem.

With the decline in fishing, many of the little back streets are now home to little arts and crafts shops.

You can read more about Pittenweem on the wonderful "Undiscovered Scotland" website here.

Taken early this afternoon in hazy sunshine. Shot in RAW using a polarising filter and converted and edited in PSE6.

All comments/critiques/advice welcome!

macondo, brano14, graffer, parbo, Royaldevon, lrw1966 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

divail (1461) 2009-02-15 17:05

Hi John,
Très joli point de vue, tes bateaux sont éclatant sous cette lumière et j'aime bien le quai avec sa mousse verte. Bravo.
Diane

macondo (13067) 2009-02-16 0:56

Hi John.
That is an amazing name for a village, and you have done it proud with this terrific photo. I find it astonishing that only one of the 48 viewers has seen fit to comment. Really, the composition you have set up is first class, with the good perspective of the seawall, curving away on the right, and the delightful colours of the boat and the buildings. I think this looks great in the square-ish crop. You had a nice light which creates a pleasing afternoon ambience which you captured well with the CPL, and the shot has excellent sharpness. A delightful photo.
Regards,
Andrew

brano14 (1866) 2009-02-16 3:31

Hello John,
Very nice and interesting photo, well composed, with good colors, beautiful roofs.
I'm confused, how do you get on those boats, the ground is too high?
Thanks!
Brano

graffer (1764) 2009-02-16 4:39

Hello John,

A very satisfying composition - the strong element of the red and white fishing boat in the FG, neatly balances the houses as they rise up on the hill to the right.

The stone wall of the quay starts from the left nearly horizontal, then bends to make a strong diagonal. It curves at the far right side, then we have that marvellous sweep of the mooring rope connecting the ship to the quay.

The green seaweed on the stonework is an excellent complement to the red hull of the boat.

The only tiny thing that distracts the eye is that modern lamp post that is cut off at the top of the picture.

I wonder - would a few minutes with the clone stamp be worthwhile.....................?

Best wishes,

Peter.

[workshop] [compare] +

parbo (10966) 2009-02-16 5:52

Hello John,

What a huge differences between low and high tidal there. I just checked and saw that the maximum tidal range is approximately 6 meters. Wow!

I liked your well build point of view for including historical facades and harbour with two colored boats. The splendid mossy textures on wall is great bonus. Very good clarity an sharpness. Congratulations. Have a nice new week.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

Royaldevon (5888) 2009-02-20 1:08

Hello John,

This really is a lovely shot!
The curve of the wall with its detailed stones and green moss leads in beautifully.
The boats, with their bright colours, are well positioned and give a good sense of perspective.
The light is good and has created soft reflections on the rippling water and interesting shadows on the walls.
The composition is excellent as is the dof, which allows us to enjoy every detail.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Glint (3040) 2009-03-02 11:23

Hello John,
I have seen this before and meant to come back to it as I was short of time when I first viewed it. The light and colours give it a continental flavour, Britanny perhaps.A saisfying composition with your POV giving us a good view of the boats and the slimy green harbour wall.There are so many places I have still yet to see in Scotland and here is a place I will have to add to my must see list.
Bev

lrw1966 (1630) 2009-03-24 13:01

John, Hi;

This is really beautiful. Marvelous clarity and tack aharp details. Thanks for the notes. Congratulations, very nicely done.

Larry

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (2660)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-02-15
Categories: Daily Life, Architecture
Camera: Canon 20D, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD SP AF, Hoya 67mm Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-02-15 15:46