Pounding Oakville Harbour Photo

Photographer’s Note

My second contribution to the Photos from Oakville harbour on windy morning of Sept 24. What you see here is a pier getting hit by a wave. I had got kind of pretty drenched that morning trying to get shots of the waves, but was very content at the end of the shoot.

The thing that struck me the most that morning was the size of the waves pounding the harbour. Never had I seen the waves so big striking the shores of the Lake Ontario. The waves might have looked like way too petite if you compared them to the waves in the ocean, but I must remind that this is Lake Ontario.

I would appreciate some input from other people who have seen the waves on the Lake Ontario about what do they think about the size and strength of this baby. I for myself was way too impressed.

capthaddock, Tue, Fixfocus, jhm, UlfE, elihesamian, Clairedelune, HNIK, feather, cengiz, weswang, riclopes, mortijo, maphoto, ChristianS, john_c, Emile, chaity, apache, aloyho, timleahy, devimeuxbe, Loeina has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

elihesamian (26091) 2005-11-11 10:10

Hi Sarju,
A very nice morning shot with a wonderful dynamism you posted,a very good moment freezing you did,excellent sharpness and quality and very well composed,too,oh!my monitor became wet!:)
amazing attractive sky with that layer of cloud you had,well worked and nicely composed,too,Thanks for sharing Sarju,
Best
M

Clairedelune (4885) 2005-11-11 10:17

Hi Sarju,
Wow! Are you telling us the truth? Is it really the Lake Ontario? :) The moment was just perfect! The sky is also impressive, with those dark clouds, menacing. But, there is some sun rays there. So the timing was right. You achieve something with the light, it's the kind of situation where it is difficult to have it right. The little line of light blue sky could have been way overexposed. But it is not. It is just a bit, but not disturbing. I would like to see a larger view, maybe because I like so much wide angle!
Hope you understand what I say, it seems that I have a hard time today to convey my ideas in english. :(
Claire

cessy (13647) 2005-11-11 10:24

very nice capture of this big waves, Sarju
looks scary
I hope you are not put yourself in danger to capture this :)

HNIK (1104) 2005-11-11 10:29

WOW!
What a great wave!!Sarju,
So great sky and nice colors,and very well composition with wonderful wave,
Well done
Best Wishes

feather (49858) 2005-11-11 11:01

Excellent timing Sarju as the wave crashed. Sorry you got wet Ha Ha :)
I love the light on the water and trees, yet there is a dark dramatic sky
Kath

cengiz (3581) 2005-11-11 12:29

wondeful captured waves, colours of clouds very nice
well done sarju
cengiz

jafadabret (39441) 2005-11-11 13:51

Sarju, c'est du mouvement dans un paysage superbe. La lumière du soleil passe juste à travers une déchirure de nuage pour éclairer cette vague. C'est du grand art.

UlfE (8955) 2005-11-11 15:41

Hi Sarju,

A Wonderful shot. You have captured the wave in exactly the right moment. The sky and light is also very dramatic. Thanks for sharing.

Ulf

Fixfocus (9377) 2005-11-11 16:24

Hi Sarju,
You captured this splashing wave with perfect timing.The size of the wave is really impressive.I like the lightmood here,the dark tones and the dramatic sky.
Have a nice weekend,
Hermann

dipak (255) 2005-11-11 18:32

This is amazing shot Sarju, You have captured it in right time. It would be really exciting to see such a huge wave poundering the harbour. Bright part of the sky just above the trees makes the beautiful contrast. Nice composition.

bhogalrajnish (72) 2005-11-11 18:58

Hay
Sarju another beautiful pick from you . Love the clouds in the background and what a moment .Very clear and the focus is just right .

Rajnish

sergecross (3438) 2005-11-11 19:57

Sarju, excellent picture, i like the darkness and the stormy day with the fast water moving. The scene catched was great!
Sergio

partha (13657) 2005-11-11 20:23

The capture of the wave is excellant.Well taken shot. Almost perfect.

maphoto (8076) 2005-11-11 21:26

Wow Sarju, this is a great and dynamic post, the mood is also excellent, the splash in front of the trees gorgeous, great timing and nicely presented, well done, have a beautiful week end.

cam (8880) 2005-11-11 21:48

Hello Sarju
Good action shot.
Very clear and good light from the side.
Hope the water was not too cold.
Charles

ChristianS (2997) 2005-11-12 3:57

Hi Sarju,
Dynamic composition capturing this furious wave at the right moment. The dramatic touch of the composition is even more enhanced by the threatening clouds. Nice light and colours. Well done!

Regards, Christian

riclopes (32969) 2005-11-12 3:58

SUPERB shot Sarju!
I don't know the place but I'm impressed with the captured of the atmosphere of this windy morning. We can fell the furious on the water and a storm coming from the sky. The lighting is excellent with some spots on sunshine spread over the photo. The movement of the wave is just amazing. I love it! Congratulations!
TFS,
Have a nice weekend,

Ricardo

greg64g (11193) 2005-11-12 8:36

Hello Sarju

Superb this poweful wave, very impressive to see that, with the wind and the nice colors, i love this kind of mood.
well seen
cheers
greg

weswang (18223) 2005-11-12 12:17

Wow, Sarju, What a catch. I hope you have yourself kept dry. A nice and clear capture of the splash of the wave with detailed water drop, the dramatic stormy sky, and the angry dark water. A very well taken picture. Well done.

john_c (24635) 2005-11-13 12:20

Hi Sarju,
Wow! This certainly is the decisive moment for the wave. I like the dynamic feel of the scene without sacrificing clarity. The waters appear brown and angry in the wind. The skyline is rather dark and foreboding. Yet off to the left is a patch of richly textured grass and pleasant trees with autumn leaves, giving us a hint of solace and comfort despite the snarly face of the lake. Great ambience and superb capture, Sarju.
John

Guntram (6) 2005-11-13 14:37

What a great splash, Sarju! I've never been to Lake Ontario, but I guess that's something unusal there. I like the dark, clear colours in contrast to the -splash- a lot! It looks like clean fresh air on a very windy day. Well done and fun to watch.
tfs
Guntram

toni_al (15430) 2005-11-14 6:42

HI Sarju
Joli photo de nature, avec toute l'action qu'elle peut, nous montrer.
Joli Travail

dsidwell (9745) 2005-11-14 19:37

Nice moment captured, Sarju! I also love the tones in the water and sky. A very dramatic, engaging image!

agerrard (338) 2005-11-14 20:05

This is a great snap, Sarju. Very powerful, indeed.

Hope you're having a good time in NY.

(I still have to download that program you emailed about!).

lestans (15448) 2005-11-15 3:12

What a nice shot, Sarju!! Great capturing such a big wave, I would like to hear also its noise!
It is a well done composition: the wave is framed by a tree, left side is more dramatic and in the right side everything is lower.
And you captured also a good light, I think it was a fine dusk. Bravo!
Livia

vincent24 (9038) 2005-11-15 15:29

Hi Sarju,
Great shot!very impressive,you've taken some risk,the splashing wave under the morning sun gives a dynamisne to the picture,good job,
vincent

fayeulle (26543) 2005-11-17 0:41

Hi Sarju
The force of the wave is very well rendered on your shot. It's why I like it. I loke also colors. I can't imagine it is a lake wave !
Cheers
JP

Emile (19901) 2005-11-17 7:25

Impressive splash of the wave against the harbour and also amazing clouds, very well captured. Good composition. Lighting and sharpness are great.
Well done Sarju.

Tue (25608) 2005-11-17 19:07

Hej Sarju,
Wow, you captured here some really wild water! Well done. I also like the warm light shining on the water. Creates fine colours, good work!
Hilsner,
Lars

pamastro (7213) 2005-11-18 13:58

Nice stormy looking scene. The contrast and the harshness of the water is even through as harsh trees, rough sky and rough concrete surface on the pier. The wave breaking against the pier is also nice and strong as it explodes in its fury. Overall very nice lighting and very sharp. And with enough of a wave trough in the water to add a strong feel of the water flowing in and out.

And as for a wave, it's a good one. It certainly seems normal for a small storm passing across the lakes, or along the shore probably with this one considering Oakville's orientation.

Here is another TE photo of waves on the lakes from Grand Haven on Michigan's "west coast".

Touch the Sky

And another one I found on the internet showing a wave breaking over the entire signal house, also at Grand Haven.

Grand Haven Pier

chaity (1539) 2005-11-22 0:55

Hi Sarju, what a big wave you caught. It is even scarier with the dark clouds looming behind.

apache (1426) 2005-11-22 1:39

Hey Sarj....You sure are on a roll...Your pictures are amazing..:) Nice capture of the approaching storm. Love the way you have the dark clouds in the frame. Superb colours and sharpness.
Way to go man.
Ranjith

t0mmm1 (5434) 2005-11-22 2:01

Hi Sarju,
what a great capture. Decisive moment, the breaking of a wave on the pier and the waterdrops enlightened by the sun while everywhere is dark. Nice shot.

jhm (82297) 2005-11-22 7:20

Hi Sarju,
You have captured the wave in exactly the right moment, with excellent contrast between the white foam and dark sky, it small part with green and yellow colour give a picture a more appreciation.
Thanks for visit and sharing.
John.

Quentin (5278) 2005-11-22 8:19

Salut Sarju
Very good timing on this picture. The light and colours are
beautiful and I like the detail level on the lake. Did you
have your feet wet?! ;-)
Regards
Quentin

capthaddock (28640) 2005-11-22 10:20

Hi Sarju - simply incredible, a real tsunami in a lake, the dark brooding sky looks very fitting over the choppy water.

ArtLook (2332) 2005-11-25 8:05

Hi Sarju,
Great shot, you was in right place and in right time :). Nice colors, contrast and good exposure time. I like the contrast on this picture because of cloudy dark sky. Well done, BRAVO!
With BEST regards,
Arthur

PJE (19405) 2005-11-25 23:00

Wow this sure is pounding along the shoreline. Excellent work in capturing a timely photo. The waves even have a nice balance in the frame too.

DLM (6447) 2005-11-27 5:23

Hi Sarju,worth getting wet for mate,well captured.
TFS.
Dave.

jbweasle (9294) 2005-11-27 7:58

Hi Sarju, this is a powerful shot. I like the line of the path leading towards the wave which itself is perfectly framed by the trees behind. The stormy clouds add to the dramatic feeling. I guess you were quite lucky here - if you stood in the wrong place you would have been very wet!

aros (0) 2005-11-29 4:26

A good formula for dramatic photographs - sun coming through under leaden sky, pounding waves and a rocky coastline.

About waves on Lake Ontario I can give you no opinion. However, on your photo I can: it's a dramatic capture which gives a clue of the power of nature. If we get in the way, we come off second best. Well caught!

aloyho (6109) 2005-11-30 2:24

Hi Sarju,
An impressive action shot and you freezed it at the right moment. The pier lead us nicely to the action spot and the overcast sky compliment and emphasized its power even more. Great shot!! Regards. My apology for the slow response and I am glad to be back.

timleahy (2189) 2005-11-30 19:25

Great shot Sarju! I like the way the crashing wave is framed against the bright green of the tress in background. great dark sky and moody looking water to complete the picture.

...tim

rhizomes (15325) 2005-12-06 13:48

Hi Sarju,
I like this picture a lot !!
The waves are perferctly captured !!
Full of detail, congratulations,
Christophe

faubry (32281) 2005-12-07 5:26

superbe image avec cette vague qui se projette sur la berge!!! belle netteté malgré le mouvement, bien vu!
francine

devimeuxbe (55865) 2005-12-10 12:26

Hi Sarju
Very beautifull capture. Right on time.
Beautifull light also on the wave.
Very well done
Bertrand

rbcy1974 (20742) 2005-12-11 5:33

Hello Sarju,
Wow its amazing
it must have been quite difficult to keep yourself standing with such winds,
the surroondings are so wild that its hard to beleive its suburban oakville; I lived in Oakville and I never saw waves like this.
still I think you could play with levels and shadows a bit so that its a bit less dark
regards
Daniel

prumod (8258) 2005-12-11 23:27

hi sarju
a well captured moment... your timing is perfect...
regards
pramod

Stepan (27175) 2005-12-21 16:09

Deep contrasts and colors here...
You captured perfectly the action.
Well composed.
Stéphane
PS : thnakfs for you kind critiques

Cormac (26449) 2005-12-29 22:17

Perfect timing to catch this as the water burst over the wall and into the air. Looks pretty impressive to me too! I like the lighting too, with the dark clouds and the sun on the trees. Very dramatic. Happy to put you over 100 for this one!

anaines (786) 2006-03-10 20:54

Very powerful photo, I like it very much. The dark cloud, the power of the wave! Good job.

jsec (2074) 2006-06-09 23:30

Wow, this wave is in a lake? Excellent capture, well worth the soaking time you had getting it!
Congratulations on 100 points here.

Regards

Jeff