Lure of the Depth Photo

Photographer’s Note

The ocean affects different people differently. I suspect that even the same person may rediscover its appeal in a new way at a different time in his life. I am told that men feel humbled when confronted with the vastness of an ocean. That is how my mother felt, she said. That is not the way I ever felt about the ocean. Standing at the beach in a moonless night, in the blind darkness when the presence of another person is more felt than seen, the only visible object being the phosphorescent surf breaking on the shore, I had always felt an immense sense of unspeakable power...a sense of superiority...a maniacal rush of heightened promise...I cannot explain this but this is the closest to a 'religious experience' that I ever have come to. Yet, the experience is perhaps the antipode of religious humility that others speak of when confronting nature's immensity. Even the earliest memory of this experience, when I was merely fourteen years old, was one of utter conviction that this vastness of water and sky is perhaps meaningless to all but this insignificant creature crawling on this insignificant planet, who has the power to wrestle out the secret of its mysterious sources. On other equally dark and sleepless nights, I have often felt a certain magnetic attraction to this living rhythm of wind on water. I am reminded of the fabled demise in 1534 of a childhood hero of mine, Sri Caitanya, a brilliant logician turned into a schizophrenic devotee of one of the Hindu trinity, Lord Krishna. In a frenzied mood at age 48, one night he apparently walked into the sea.

***
I was inspired to take this shot through another one by Alain Somvang (ALSOM). I like his photo better. For providing me the inspiration to go out once more in the dark, I post this one specially for Alain.

Galeota, yanseiler, pasternak, ALSOM, Homerhomer, keribar, KevRyan, RandomCameraGuy, prezntime, stefi, BrianGraney, PeterC has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Galeota (10329) 2006-08-25 3:56

I do like the image, with a colorfull ghost walking into the ocean, or vanishing into darkness should I say. Beyond the photograph, I would like to praise your note which was pure delight to read. This is a beautiful dedication to Alain.

yanseiler (20) 2006-08-25 4:12

Hi Animesh, I liek this effect, where the ghosts are doubled, the effect of the waves is also cool, really looks like a pastel painting, very artistic, I liek a lot...
Kindly
Yan

russte (0) 2006-08-25 4:29

Hi Animesh, this is certainly not an image I would associate with you. It has an almost mystical quality, a capture of a fleeting event. I like how you have reduced the sea to its most basic elements and the use of the shadows gives strength and depth to the composition. Unlike Yan, I think I would have preferred two legs rather than three, maybe with a touch more blur but the image works well nonetheless and conveys precisely the intent of your (excellent) Note. As a photograph, I too prefer the image from Alain but yours has an even greater sense of the spititual. Congratulations. Stephen

pasternak (12930) 2006-08-25 5:10

If I could, Animesh, I'd praise your note separately by a green smile. Or no, I wouldn't, it is beyond those points, it is simply one of the best notes I have ever read on TE. Having said that, I really like your picture as well, it is so strange and attractive... But the combination of this two elements is superb!

Cheers
Alexander

ALSOM (6616) 2006-08-25 5:50

Thanks Anymesh, i'm not sure I deserve this tribute, however many thanks, I feel honored, especially from a gifted photog like Mr. Ray.

I can only congratulate you for this one. I know it is not easy to get the desired effect. I took me 3 attempts to get the one you linked to find the proper setting and apply to the right moment with timing consideration as the light is vanishing very quickly.

In your case, I think it was not even easy (no sunset to bring somehow a by of light in the sky) as the main source of light seems to be the urban lighting producing a pretty brutal light like a flash.

I like the ghostly 'twin' effect you managed to get, a twin or a walking flag (swedish colors) with a nice reflection (the colors make the reflection here). In addition, the waves create 2 stripes schratching the deep ocean and sky.

Creative, I love it along with the brilliant note.

Cheers, Alain -

Homerhomer (4005) 2006-08-25 9:22

dude, you should be a writer!!!!!!!
I love going to the beaches, don't have an ocean here but still, and as you write, different moment, differen feelings.

The image itself is ok, think Alain makes a great observation about the light, I would suggest trying next time a bit earlier, you will still be able to get the movement but colours will be even better, and without the harshness and your shadows.
Peter

Salil_B (737) 2006-08-25 11:13

I guess it fits the idea of magic realism to a tee.
I distinctly remember my third view of the sea. During the first two I was too much of a child. At Digha, in 1962, it was definitely a mystical experience. That afternoon, I followed the diminutive tracks of a fox playing hide and seek through the dense undergrowth of the then abundant 'jhaau' forests and at night I was astounded by the mutter of crabs in the sucked out husk of a hammerhead.
Besides, as they say, the sea stirs archetypal memories of our marine prehistory.
Great photograph, Animesh.
Salil

bantonbuju (48334) 2006-08-25 12:47

i fully understand your inspiration, animesh!
yet this is quite yours, i daresay you've gone two steps further with applying the full colour "solution"
nice work,
bw, j.

keribar (42652) 2006-08-25 14:03

Hello Animesh,
Many thanks for this interesting shot and note: I am very impressed by your art.
I would like to tell you that I see three feet on the picture, for obvious reasons. So three feet for me means a piano. A concert piano near the ocean means also the famous film , you will remember " The Piano " Jane Campion's film with Harvey Keitel.

I wish you a very good week-end - Izzet

KevRyan (22297) 2006-08-26 7:55

A fantastic work of art in words and image Animesh - I agree a wonderful dedication to Alain's great picture but you are here in a great league of your own - haunting, mysterious but also curiously grounded in the sensory responses it evokes.....I can relate to so much that you write about....although landlocked where I now live I have such a strong relationship to the sea.....

bw kev

RandomCameraGuy (3063) 2006-08-26 13:06

very nice sir. love the splash of colour in this image. I am a bit disturbed by the visibility of people's shadows. It lessens the open, empty mood of the pic and it's 'one' person.

Great note too. I've always had an affinity for the ocean myself. The sound and low rumble of it goes straight to my heart. Both terrifying and calming, the religious connection is natural to make.

prezntime (3945) 2006-08-27 23:13

Greetings Animesh.
I could read quite a few things into your photo. I became depressed upon first viewing. I could picture only a young individual walking into the sands waiting for his death. A wonbderful spare photo.
Best wishes,
Chris.

Furachan (0) 2006-08-29 4:14

ANother beautiful Summicron vista onto the world, Animesh. This one was SO worth opening in order for it to reveal its mystery (no idea what was in the thumbnail, ha ha) This one positively shimmers, there is life and movement in the darkness with just those touches of primary colors.
Beautiful,
Francis

HIRAKZ (168) 2006-08-30 14:52

Hi Animesh,

Great abstract photo and a nice note too.
TFS
Hirak

stefi (1147) 2006-08-31 13:08

Hi Animesh, it's strange but I feel the same when I face the Alps. Ocean, mountain two things bigger than us that give the same feeling.
I like this shot and the homage to Alain too.
I think that this is a very creative use of light.
TFS
Stefano

BrianGraney (1734) 2006-09-01 14:57

This gives a powerful sense of standing on the edge of the world.
I also like the shadows - other beings also enjoying experiencing the moment.
Superb note, too.
Thanks
Brian

Polonaise (5625) 2006-09-02 8:09

Your words have a magical power. They transform a picture into vision. The darkness of the wide waters into seductive call of the mistress. Very attractive mistress, mind you. Your photo breaths very heavily with powerful emotions
They shatter my image of the things and transform it into feelings. They have the power to lure us into the abyss of the ocean, when it all started, if you believe in the origins of our existence.
My deep bow in front of you, my dear friend.
It's a great privilege for me to share the same century with you.
g.

PeterC (2242) 2006-09-19 1:19

A wonderful shot Animesh. The whole experience both note and image are spellbinding. It's is alsmot like you are spellbound and drawn to the surf. The flaskes of colour are just remarkable. For someone who has grown up near the ocean this is about the best photo i have seen putting the way i feel abou the ocean. In to the favourites it goes. Top Top stuff.