3 years on Trekearth (Swan Song) Photo

Photographer’s Note

Three very nice years. Doing something I have always loved doing, getting to know so many others who love it also and learning SOOO much. Shoot, I thought I was pretty good. :)) At least that's what my family kept telling me. They're so nice...

This is not, however, the same Trekearth I became a member of 3 years ago. Unlike a lot of others, I can't bring myself to delete all my photos. Maybe I am not worried anyone would steal OR sell one of them...:))) And I cannot bring myself to delete my account, either. I just find it more and more difficult each day to have the same enthusiasm for the site. It sucks, too, because of lot of my favorite photographers are new and ... it's hard to explain. And really, I just haven't enough time or energy to do it right.

I sure have enjoyed these three years, though, and I thank each and every one who has made them so very enjoyable.

ktanska, dta, Glint, JudyR, bukitgolfb301, Dyerco, papagolf21, Longroute, Ivanyoudontknow, lucasgalodoido, gunbud, pablominto, bostankorkulugu, JCG, Cretense, Didi, jmcl, Juntas has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ribeiroantonio (21921) 2009-06-09 21:36

It is a very elegant photo for your third anniversary on TE. Congratulations and keep up the good work.
Antonio

mesutilgim (36858) 2009-06-09 21:39

Hi Shelly,
Congratulations to your 3rd year at TE !
TE is such a fascinating platform; allthough we all get very uypset due to some "nonesense" regulations from time to time, it's like in our households. Enough fight but if the love is there, the family exists !
This blakswan has therefore double symbolism for me; it's beautiful but black on the other hand. The color of sadness !
TFS and keep on posting !
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

ktanska (16585) 2009-06-10 0:25

Hi Shelly,
Colours of green and black match well. Reflections are like from a painting. Good framing and the posture of the swan seems to reflect your feelings.
Having just posted a swan shot myself, I read that black swans are natives of Australia, so this one isn't wild?
Three years is a plenty of time for ups and downs, people coming or going, even interface changing. New one having pros and cons, and glitches to be solved. But I believe it's gonna get better...

dta (5266) 2009-06-10 1:52

Hello Shelly ,
Congratulations for your 3 years . I like the attitude of the swan , here , and the look of the texture and colors of the water . I can see that you like animal's pictures . May be , I'll try to post some ones , too .
Have a nice day .
Regards

saxo042 (15726) 2009-06-10 8:33

Hi Shelly,
And congratulations to your three years on TE! A fine photo here and I particularly like the ripples on the water surface with all the different colours here!
Kind regards
Gunnar

Glint (3042) 2009-06-10 10:41

hello Shelly,
I like the irridescent colours here.Unusual black swan and the way it fluffs up its feathers makes an attractive image. Sorry that you are down in the dumps about the site right now, I'm much the same. But I hate to see people delete their images and would be upset if you were to do the same. Maybe I have got low self esteem or soemthing but a part of me would be quite thrilled if someone stole a pic of mine..proves I've got something worth stealing! :))
Bev

JudyR (847) 2009-06-10 11:11

Hi Shelly -- Congratulations on three years with this wonderful site. I've enjoyed your portfolio.

This is a wonderful composition, although a bit oversharp for my taste. The color and cropping are perfect to my eye, and ripples and details of the swans feathers are pure delight.

bukitgolfb301 (4658) 2009-06-10 13:21

Hello my dear Shelly

Congratulation on the third anniversary !

What a wonderful photo! Composition, color management(I think this is very difficult in this case)and timing(wave) are splendid. This photo is most suitable for the third anniversary for you.

Thanks for sharing and best regards,

Takero

Dyerco (9102) 2009-06-10 23:31

Hi Shelly.
Happy Birthday!!
The colours in the water surrounding the swan are really quite unique. Excellent capture.
Phil

papagolf21 (56435) 2009-06-11 0:42

Bonjour, ma bonne amie Shelly,
Le cygne décore, embellit tous les lieux qu'il fréquente.
Quelle élégance, quelle beauté majestueuse représentée par ce cygne noir.
Le cadrage est parfait.
Très belle mise en image.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Longroute (9375) 2009-06-11 8:17

Hello Shelly,

my best congratulations for these three years in TE which have brought us so many intriguing and inspiring pictures, and I want to tell you that I'm really impressed by the beauty of this one: so sharp, incisive, so colourful and intense and so elegant as a composition: an excellent work which is a pleasure to see.
All the best:
Donato

Ivanyoudontknow (12) 2009-06-11 10:56

Hi Shelly,
nice photo, as always of you...
Ivan

lucasgalodoido (16605) 2009-06-11 14:30

Hi Shelly
very beautiful swan on your picture, the colors, reflections and contrast was great. Congratulationf for your 3th year on TE.
Regards,
Lucas

gunbud (27907) 2009-06-11 18:13

Hi Shelly,
Happy 3rd anniversary on TE and what a lovely image you have chosen for the occasion.
Love this mejestic black swan and the gentle wake she is creating.
Great detail to the plumage and that brilliant orange beak.

pablominto (40754) 2009-06-11 22:48

Hello Shelly,

Congrats on the anniversary!
The black swan is an amazing bird, and this fellow is no exception with this fine pose...
A pleasant composition with good details in the plumage, amazing colour palette!

Greetings,
Pablo -

batalay (20964) 2009-06-12 14:15

Hello Shelly,

I look at this gorgeous photograph with deep ambivalence. You are a very good photographer, and a most gracious compatriot to have on Trekearth. You have characteristically exuded talent, enthusiasm, and good humor. I will miss seeing both you photographs and your personal notes always resonating with a cheerful disposition.

I cannot take a hobby site quite as seriously as many others, people whom I genuinely admire for their photographs and also for their kind and intelligent comments. Accordingly, I will continue to post images, but at the slow pace that I have been doing in the past few months — but mostly because I am so busy, rather than because of any disapproval of commercialism or politics. I may just drop out also and return to painting and writing (books), but not just yet.

This photograph is sensational. The brilliant colors in the water present a dramatic contrast to the black swan, and the creature itself has the brilliant red beak as a focal point. The way it has its head bowed, however, is to me a demonstration of sadness, of resignation to the fortunes fate, and also in the manner of the proud creature that it is. It is perhaps emblematic of you.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Vasa (5608) 2009-06-13 13:40

My dear friend Shelly,

you were child when you start your generosity on TE. So thankful for your participation and proud of your friendship.

I like this black swan. It could be a white one, never mind. It must be yours.

Friendly your

Branko

balatrek (7419) 2009-06-13 15:16

Hi Shelly,

Congratulations for the three years, a very beautiful image and very good textures, perfect composition, I like the tone of the water, a very special atmosphere.

Regards
José

bostankorkulugu (33616) 2009-06-13 15:27

you are leaving as well? :(... this place is becoming really boring day by day... and you are leaving with such a beauty... poetic shot of this amazing creature shelly... hope to see you in some other media... take care...

korkut

fkostas (428) 2009-06-14 19:01

Hi Shelley,

I'm not commenting on whether the sky is falling or not anymore, but I like the swan in the multi coloured water.

Maybe it's a little sharp, or maybe I'm not seeing it right.

No matter. It's a good picture.

Farah

denisn72 (6979) 2009-06-15 14:23

Hi Shelly!
Congratulations for your 3 years on Trek Earth and don't give up!

There is a wonderful blend of colours on the water. The stylish swan is standing proudly and well placed on the picture. A really good work! Cheers!
Best regards
Denis!

JCG (25377) 2009-06-15 22:02

Hello Shelly,

You have the gift to photograph the animal kingdom, I like much this photograph of this gracious swan. A development of the animal full with poetry. Very beautiful image to celebrate this milestone on TE. I assess much the quality of the treatment of the photograph so much in the colors, the light and clearness. Well done Shelly and thank you for this pleasant moment.

With all my friendships of Versailles and with soon,

Jean-Charles

Cretense (56222) 2009-06-18 6:00

Hi Shelly!

So sad to read that you 'll stop posting photos, here! You are right, this site isn't what it used to be, I don't like it either, but I think you should reconsider, and continue posting, even with less frequency, for your friends here! Anyway, this is a fantastic photo, ideal to express your feelings right now, I just hope that you 'll change your mind in the future!

Whatever your decision might be... Best wishes!

Hercules

COSTANTINO (22747) 2009-06-28 8:33

Hello Shelly
Thanks for sharing with us all those 3 years,thanks for sharing with us your thoughts..I also love photos and I still continue to do so with the same enthusiasm
I like your shot,it is very sweet and nice..
good documents from you dedicated to all of us
regards and compliments
Costantino

Didi (36158) 2009-06-30 11:23

Hi Dearest Shelly
I wish you 50 more years of photography
Interesting contrasted picture of the black swan with the water waves around.
Sincères amitiés.

jmcl (13865) 2009-08-03 14:14

Hi Shelly,

wonderful image .. the green water is wonderful .. black swan beautiful .. sharp .. great moment .. well captured ..

hope maybe someday you will feel the TE urge again .. you are one of the wonderful things about this place.

take care,

John

macondo (13123) 2009-08-10 1:52

Hi Shelly.
A bit late, but congratulations on the milestone. Sorry to hear of your somewhat sad reflections on the transformations in TE and loss of some members, although I notice you are still uploading, albeit with some hesitation and lingering regret.
The picture itself is a beauty, and the arched neck and the rippled water suggest the reflective, nostalgic tone of the note. This swan, by the way, must have been brought over from Australia. It was once said, hundreds of years ago, that all swans were white!
Regards,
Andrew

quillo (7176) 2009-10-14 7:13

♥

Hola Shelly -->

Una bonita y elegante imagen del cisne negro,
me gusta el color, me gustan los tonos,
me gustan los contrastes, es una interesante
composición; felicidades.

Un saludo.

♥

Juntas (3275) 2009-10-17 16:59

Hi Shelley. It's a lovely scene with such beautiful colors well saturated. Very nice sharpness on the swan. I've ead your not and your intro page! Nice to see that the swan still sings. Hope there's not such thing as a "3 years of TE spell" (I'm almost there:)). All the best to you. Paulo