Straight as!!! Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hi all. I had this shot in the WS of a previous post and had so many favourable comments and even a few telling me it was better than the main posted photo that I had to promote this shot to main photo also.
This is Whakatane harbour on NZ’s North Island. Located on the east coast in the Bay of Plenty about an hours drive south of the city of Tauranga and an hours drive east of the city of Rotorua.
This is a slightly different crop with slightly different PP to one posted to WS previously.
This will be my last post for a few of weeks as we are off on a South Island trip. (Middlemarch rail-trail, Catlands, Stewart Island, Kaikoura, and some.)
Enjoy, Paul.

mikolaj_kawa, besnard, rodgerg, Floydian, Photo65Net, trekks, Gerrit, belido, ChrisJ, Docarmo, Dyerco, vmf-214, Scharan, edytungkal, plimrn, gracious, dareco, berek, jaywalker, Emile, alainh, papagolf21, Budapestman, dip, danos, Didi, Uhu, jafadabret, jhm, siolaw, BWJ, skippy007, John_F_Kennedy, josepmarin, Cricri, AiresSantos, BelCan75, Kielia, stego, Bluejeans, JCG, Cretense, Charo, PixelTerror, zeca, kiks, batalay, Henryk_Bilor, Urs has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mikolaj_kawa (29787) 2009-04-10 0:55

Hello Paul! Wonderful landscape. Amazing shadow. Good contrast. Mysterious effect. Well done!

pauloog (6374) 2009-04-10 0:57

Hello Paul,
A beatuful view, almost in black and white and respiring an atmosphere of serenity and stillness. The curve of the creek and the pale blue refelction bring the view to life.
Well done.
Regards,
Paul

besnard (30492) 2009-04-10 0:58

Bonjour Paul
Un superbe paysage bien cadré avec le regard qui suit les méandres du cours d'eau pour arriver jusqu'aux arbres qui sont du plus bel effet sur le ciel. C'est du bont travail.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

rodgerg (23717) 2009-04-10 1:02

Hello Paul,

A superb landsape, the incurving waterway learn the glance to discorevy the image and give a very great prospect. Superb refelctions in the water too. A good and nice photowork.
Best regards,
Roger

Dedsharp (18) 2009-04-10 1:06

A very nice one Paul!
I like the grey tones and the curving composition.
Excellent.

Ciao,
André

Floydian (30970) 2009-04-10 1:09

Hallo Paul,

Yes i also found this so called ws photo much better than the original posting. Lines make the composition here, strong lines towards those trees in the background. there is almost a b&w feeling, but those slight patches of blue bring some colour inside, an effect that i very much like to see.
Your crop and framing is also very good....a very good composed but most of all serene photo....well done, good choice to make it a mainpost.

Have a good night,

Henk

Graal (57647) 2009-04-10 1:29

Hi Paul,
nice view, amazing ribbon of river, good composition. I like the reflections also. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

Giorgio (8670) 2009-04-10 3:09

- Splendid maritim lanscape, I like this reflecting curve in foreground and the almost monochromic color, very well done!
Have a nice weekend Paul.
giorgio

dkeus31 (26106) 2009-04-10 3:26

Hi Paul
a nice image, I like here the foreground curve, leading the view to the isolated trees.
well seen
didier

Photo65Net (43084) 2009-04-10 3:32

Hello Paul,
Great light and exposure control here.
Your use of the curves in the FG is amazing too,
Have a nice day,
JB.

delkoo (34158) 2009-04-10 5:11

bonjour paul,

this small river snaking through the photo is a perfect way to lead us to discover this place. composition is perfect, the colours of an exalting sweetness, everything is in place for a magnificent landscape .

have an happy Easter.

didier

trekks (14262) 2009-04-10 5:13

hi Paul

Well, surprisingly that the normal bends of the stream can look so lovely at this low angle shot! I think the reflection of light on the mud is making it more interesting, especially with the tree formation shapes at the left. Yes, it makes a fine post!

tfs, bill

Gerrit (35593) 2009-04-10 5:24

Hi Paul,
excellnt shot following the meandering creek in the low tide bay.
Good counterlight management.
Regards, gerrit

belido (16273) 2009-04-10 5:27

Hi Paul,

I like your play with the curve of the canal which leads us through the image. It's a beautiful natural environment and you found a very good angle for shooting. The image is well balanced in its elements. Great job!
Regards,
Carlos

ChrisJ (70019) 2009-04-10 6:19

Hi Paul

I like the minimilist colour, & 's' shaped channel, which provides superb lead in lines. Superb sharpness & framing. A good Easter to you!

Docarmo (8820) 2009-04-10 7:40

Hi Paul,
Beautiful shot with so delicate colours... almost B&W.
Have a good trip. We will see good images, I'm sure ;-)
MCV

Dyerco (9018) 2009-04-10 8:04

You can't get much more of a "S" curve than this. Nicely done. The image has a sombre feel to it with all those grey to black tones.
Phil

vmf-214 (1622) 2009-04-10 8:06

Hi Paul,

Beautiful landscape you posted, Almost a B&W photo and lovely reflection in the water. Good use of the available light you had, Wonderful sharpness and clarity. Great job John.

Have a great trip
Jason.

Scharan (13951) 2009-04-10 8:31

Olá Paul

Como gosto deste tipo de fotos...está maravilhosa. Amei este caminho sinuoso de água prata e pelos seus reflexos. Muito boa foto.
Parabéns
GA
Vera

edytungkal (4519) 2009-04-10 8:57

Yes i think its worth to be posted as mainpost and this absolutely has a different pov from your previous, maybe just one thing that the weather was not really good that day but for sure i can enjoy this shot Paul, thanks and have a great WE.

daniel

plimrn (19600) 2009-04-10 10:09

Hi Paul,
I'm glad you promoted this silvery work of art. that stand of trees and its two part reflection has a mystical feel as does the river curving down to the bay. Then there is that touch of blue in the sky and the sky reflection in the river.

Have a great trip.
HLJ, Pat

gracious (20017) 2009-04-10 11:10

Hello Paul,
Thank you for this wonderful shot on the Whakatane harbour!
great pov with nice depth also with the beautiful lighting across it! the reflection is a nice impact as well!
have a happy Easter, my friend
Tony

bucanas (2209) 2009-04-10 12:44

Hi Paul,
Fantastic POV,beautiful photo,congratulation.
Best regards,
Ralf

LamCam (3603) 2009-04-10 13:44

Hello Paul,
The broad curves leading to the intricate detail of the silhouetted middle distance is a real treat for the eyes. There is a vast range of tones from black to shimmering white. Serene and beautiful.
Best wishes....Maggie

dareco (17104) 2009-04-10 18:06

Excellent composition!!! I love the lead in lines and the tones and textures. Great job!! TFS

berek (28849) 2009-04-10 21:00

Hi Paul,
beautiful landscape great lights control and reflections. I like perspective too. well done.
Have a Nice Weekend.
Burak

aadilj (17950) 2009-04-10 22:41

Hello Paul, this is like a poetic painting, its vivid and extremely beautiful. I love the way you have composed this

jmdias (19071) 2009-04-11 2:59

paul

very beautiful amount of sillouets and reflections creating a marvelous natural view.I liked the pov and the light here.well done

hugs

jorge

pablominto (40402) 2009-04-11 9:49

Hello Paul,

An interesting landscape, in particular I notice the trees in the back we don't have them here!
The reflection creates this fine shimmering surface on the water, and the winding stream is a fine element...
Hard to find distinct colours, except the reflected blue in the sky!

Greetings,
Pablo -

jaywalker (12190) 2009-04-11 14:34

Hi Paul, A lovely B/W image, with the snake of the stream leading the eye to the water & onto the silhouette of the trees beyond, great texture & a beautiful landscape, kind regards Wilson.

Emile (19883) 2009-04-11 16:03

Hola Paul.
Lovely landscape with grey tones and superb reflection, very well captured.
Hope you will have a very nice trip.
Wish you a good Ester Sunday.
Best regards.

alainh (35357) 2009-04-11 22:28

hello Paul
i like the format, the metallic colours, the curvs of the river, and the quiet atmosphere you captured !!!
a good sunday Paul
friendly
alain

carper (64546) 2009-04-11 23:05

very beautiful shot Paul,
the point of view is well chosen fine balance and good format, the composition is good and the light was not easy so black and white was an option for the shot, good photo job anyway. Have a happy Easter paul.
regard jaap

Nicou (44491) 2009-04-12 1:17

Hello,

quelle image, une merveille les tons sont fantastique avec les reflets dnas l'eau, les arbres qui se détachent en fond et ce sepent qui fait ces courbes, grandiose.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

maximage (13341) 2009-04-12 1:29

Bonjour Paul,
Une composition magnifique! Un graphisme superbe, excellent tarvail photographique, j'aime beaucoup.
Amitiés.
max

papagolf21 (56159) 2009-04-12 2:14

Bonjour, cher Paul,
La beauté plaît aux yeux, la douceur charme l'âme !
Que dire devant tant de beauté, rien, peut-être ! sinon contempler ce pur moment de bonheur !
Joyeuses Pâques.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Budapestman (41576) 2009-04-12 2:25

Hi Paul,
Beautiful photo with splendid composition and depth. I like the mysterious and tranquil mood, the soft lights are effective likewise. Have a nice weekend! Happy Easter!
George

dip (12534) 2009-04-12 7:34

Hi Paul,
beautiful composition,very good clarity and contrast,
well seen and captured!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

danos (32198) 2009-04-12 9:06

Hello Paul,
very impresive this harbour on NZ’s North Island,with this beutiful colour tint.I like the little waterway that penetrate the scene and connect with the entire water.Wel done.

RegaRDS,Danos

Didi (35998) 2009-04-12 10:51

Hi Paul
Interesting S curve on this deep and nice foreground.
Very good bacllights on this marvellous composition.
Best regards and Happy Easter.

danyy (68492) 2009-04-12 13:25

Bonjour Paul, très jolis reflets, ils rendent le calme de la scène à l'air libre.
J'aime beaucoup le format carré et ces teintes très douces.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

Uhu (7356) 2009-04-12 23:21

But this photo surely desreves to be posted in the main scenario, so to say! Great one - such a clarity and composition!

jafadabret (39357) 2009-04-12 23:36

Bonjour Paul.

Quelle merveille !
Ce paysage est d'une très grande beauté. J'aime le graphisme, les reflets et la lumière. Tout est bien en place dans une belle harmonie.
Bon voyage !
Jacques

anto95 (1794) 2009-04-12 23:54

Hi Paul,
You chose a very good position to take this shot with success.
Antonello

ahmetgedikli (21799) 2009-04-13 0:32

Hi Paul,
Very beautiful composition!
Great colors, POV and good lighting. Very good job.
Have a nice week.
Ahmet

jhm (82201) 2009-04-13 3:05

Hello Paul,

Different elements on these picture are very well.
Splendid the curve of the small river in foreground, together with the reflections.
Composition and presentation are very well.TFS.

Have anice day,
John.

siolaw (25720) 2009-04-13 3:23

Hi Paul,
I dont remember seeing it in your WS, but it is fore sure worth posting! Great curvy FG leading the eye to the bush of trees and hills making a nice skyline too.
Great greyish color tones and interesting textures
Greetings
Laurent

Angelillo (9065) 2009-04-13 7:26

Hi Paul,

It's really beautiful! I like very much how the creek's curve, guiding us to the lake. The silver light is magic, like in a dream. The harmony is extraordinary, and the vertical trees create a very interesting contrast! Thanks!

Greetings,
Angel.

darek1978 (11165) 2009-04-13 11:36

Hello Paul,
What a great, curving composition. I like your excellent point of view. Fantastic reflection on the surface of the water. Congratulations!
best regards,
Darek

sunamoon (5057) 2009-04-13 11:57

Hola Paul,

Precioso brillo en la imagen,
me gusta los reflejos y perfectamente encuadrado genial!
preciosa profunidad y definición!
Buen trabajo!

Saludos,
Elena

BWJ (1771) 2009-04-13 18:07

Hello Paul,
I like very much the curve leading into the picture. The silver, blue tones and reflections are exquisite; very nice lighting and details as well.

Enjoy your trip!
Kind regards,
Betty

skippy007 (6963) 2009-04-13 22:32

Hello Paul, not sure of the title perhaps As Flat As may have been more apt;-), I have a feeling I also preferred this one but can't be sure, any way I like the almost BW effect, with strong curves making an impact. Excellent light & reflections.
Thanks
Enjoy your trip.
Santo

John_F_Kennedy (31197) 2009-04-13 22:45

Hello Paul,
Very calm picture with a lot of silence. I love the curves of the little river in the front. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

josepmarin (33785) 2009-04-14 5:36

Hi Paul,
Excellent contrast between the dark silhouettes of the landscape and the silver tones of the rest of the image.
The reflections on the water create a very attractive and elegant visual effect.
I like how you have organized the composition and the framing.
Happy Easter and good trip across the South Island.
Best regards,
Josep

ElAprendiz (7370) 2009-04-14 10:56

Hello Paul:

This wonderful composition, without a doubt, deserves all the points.

The frame takes to us to follow with our eyes the brook, until the end. Great handling of the light and the tonalities, excellent brightness and contrasts.

Congratulations, John

Cricri (43030) 2009-04-14 12:42

Hi Paul
Une image qui mérite amplement tout les sourires
Une belle gestion de la lumière, le contraste des couleurs et le top avec la corbe de l'eau et ses reflets, vraiment superbe
Bon voyage et a bientôt
cricri

AiresSantos (41866) 2009-04-14 23:54

Hi Paul
Fine picture with the path in foregroung. Excellent sharpness, very well framed and done
Have a nice day
Aires

Flavia (10202) 2009-04-15 6:16

Hi Paul,

I'm glad you decided to post this one. It's a very good picture with such interesting composition. The silver hues are also very good.

Regards,

Flavia

BelCan75 (2416) 2009-04-15 10:43

Hi Paul,

Great that you posted this one as a main photo, this photo sure deserves it. I love the curve of the water which takes us right into the photo. The reflection on the water is beautiful as well. The silhouettes of the landscapes and trees in the back really works well here. This is a great shot with beautiful light and wonderful details. Great work!

Greetings,
Ann

Kielia (8387) 2009-04-16 11:25

Hi Paul,
great idea to post this gorgeous image! You have captured a pleasant atmosphere of the tide. The colors and the gentle light are very beautiful. Excellent reflections! TFS! (I hope you will have a nice trip and I am looking forward to seeing your impressions!)
Warm regards
Harriet

stego (22350) 2009-04-16 15:57

Hi Paul,
I wasn't wrong when I thought I knew this view already. Indeed it's an achieved photo, with a great compo for the use of the graphics of of the landscape and the amazing play of light and shadows. The stream invites the eye to snake through the image. The atmosphere of peace is quite relaxing.
Regards, José.

Bluejeans (32021) 2009-04-18 1:08

Ola Paul ,
Linda esta tua foto com este canal em S a ligar a baía , os reflexos estão magníficos , os detalhes da terra molhado no primeiro plano estão fantásticos , gostei muito das silhuetas , belo ponto de visão ,parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

toto (18695) 2009-04-18 5:46

Bonjour,
belle photo de cette touffe d' arbres et de cette coline qui se reflètent sur cette eau calme et sombre.
Ce lacet formé par ce petit ru et la vase qui l' entoure mène notre regard vers ce beau lac.
Beau partage.

Amitiés Thomas

JCG (25147) 2009-04-19 0:41

Hi Paul,

Beautiful control of the exposure on this photograph. I like much this framing where the meanders of the foreground bring a such graphics but also a good depth to the image. Almost strange landscape. Well done Paul and interesting.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

Cretense (55690) 2009-04-23 6:26

Hi Paul!

Wow, outstanding landscape photography, a real dreamplace captured perfectly by you! Great composition and framing, fantastic use of this small creek as "lead in" line, great light managment, beautiful atmosphere! Congratulations!

Hercules

Charo (31665) 2009-04-23 15:50

Hello Paul,
A beautiful composition with wonderful light. The landscape is very beautiful and wonderful reflections on water. Bravo!
Greetings,
Charo

milanvojtek (31) 2009-05-01 12:05

Hi Paul, wonderful composition and almost metallic look of mud. Greetings Milan

ifanik (20474) 2009-05-02 21:36

Hi Paul
Very beautiful landscape photo
I like the this S very much
Well done
Best regards
Nick

fserajian (4453) 2009-05-04 0:20 [Comment]

Show Comment

Glint (3040) 2009-05-06 10:23

hello Paul,
that this is a tidal water can bee seen by the channels that will fill when the tide comes in. It reminds of the Solways sand that can be quite dangerous. You can walk right across them from Sctland to England when the tide is out, but great care must be taken as the incoming tide will fill up the channels that run behind you and cut you off from the shore.
A well composed shot withthe albeit wandering channel leading the eye to the harbour water. I like the silhouette of trees and their reflection.
Bev

PixelTerror (86038) 2009-05-08 13:30

Hi Paul
The foreground snaking water is a very good lead into the image, I like also all these silver tones not so common.
Have a nice day JY

alvaraalto (5229) 2009-05-10 7:30

Hi Paul,

Lovely variation between water and sand. Silver-White reflection in an interesting grey landscape.
A attractive graphical composition.

Groet Rob

racheltafoya (505) 2009-05-10 13:41

Greetings Paul,

I can see why people lauded this image that was previously only in a workshop. This is all about composition and texture to me. I adore the snaking waterway with it's completely still, dark water, and how it contrasts with the wet sand around it, lightly pockmarked with little tiny puddles. The sand is probably quite soft and almost muddy, but the way the light is hitting it here transforms the wet sand into hard stone.

I also love how the horizontal lines carved into the bay by the current contrast with the vertical lines of the paintbrush trees and their reflections. It really is a perfectly composed and ideally shot photo.

Hearty congratulations!

Best,

Rachel

[2]

zeca (20026) 2009-05-12 21:03

Almost a black and white! Very nice work, Paul! The point of view is excellent and I like the textures on the foreground, enhanced by the low framing. Well done!
Regards,
Zeca

pboehringer (770) 2009-05-13 20:54

Paul,
the almost monochromatic appearance fits extremely well to the otherwise highly dynamic image. Lovely detail to have the trees as silhouette in the background interfering almost nothing with the absolute gorgeous sinusoidal waterflow in the foreground.
Peter

asl (246) 2009-05-22 0:03

Woaw! This is also very beautiful (I was just going through your galery). What a landscape! and great angle too! Well done!

kiks (6037) 2009-05-23 12:56

Glad you post it. It is a great composition with the 's' line of the water. Also the greybluecolors are awsome.
Best regards
KIKs

devimeuxbe (55853) 2009-05-23 15:03

Hi Paul
Amazing landscape; this picture is very nice for the soft colors,the contrasts and the successfull composition; Very beautifull
Bertrand

batalay (20810) 2009-05-25 4:43

Hello Paul,

Just as in the with previous photograph I've critiqued this image, this is a highly compelling shot — a long and winding stream, backlit, presenting an extraordinary example of light management. Again it points to Rotorua being surrounded by remarkable natural beauty.

Warm regards from a point close approximately diametrically opposite on the globe from Rotorua (12,800 km through the center of the earth). I have good friends who live in Rotorua, and I had a university student who spent a year as an exchange student there.

Bulent

Angshu (33551) 2009-06-05 0:33

Hello Paul
Nearly B&W, apart from the pale blue of the sky & reflections. The S shaped channel creates a good lead-in leading us to the group of trees and reflections. Very nice...well done!
Regards
Angshu

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2009-06-07 4:25

Hi Paul
This is great light, I love to capture landscapes in such a way. Lovely place and perspective.
Regards

chpp (3960) 2009-06-20 6:04

hi Paul
very nice shot, good dynamic with the water in the FG and the reflection of the trees in the BG adds to the image
good depth and compo
TFS
C

sabermonajati (533) 2009-06-22 4:52

hi paul
you have very nice landscapes in your gallery.
this photo is amazing.
regard

sultana (1095) 2009-06-22 5:13

Hi Paul,
Excellent composition with curves of water way ,reflections , different colours.I like all of details.Thanks for sharing. Well done.

Regards,
Sultan

mauro61 (15178) 2009-07-21 0:27

cio Paul,
splendida questa doppia curva che si insinua nella sabbia.
Hai trovato una luce fantastica e anche la tonalità è molto particolare.
Una grande foto, complimenti
saluti
maurizio

azizbilgili (1714) 2009-07-30 23:48

Hi Paul,
Wonderful landscape. Amazing shadow. Good contrast and mysterious effect.

TFS

fotka (133) 2009-08-18 8:20

Hi Paul,
It is a nicely composed post. The creek's curve takes to the silhouetted trees on the background. I like reflection of the trees in the water and also the sky in the creek. Marvelous color of tones.

The Whakatane's harbor is located in beautiful part of NZ. Near Tauranga is a land of kiwi's orchards. A surroundings of Rotorua is as and American Yellowstone Park with a lot of hot springs, gassers and bobbling mud.

Thanks for sharing.
Best regards,
Zbigniew

testmaniac (12060) 2009-08-30 7:05

Hello Paul, good composed photo and attractive place!

TFS and regards,
Phil

speedymanu (1588) 2009-08-31 2:40

hello Paul

I like this curve which gently leads the viewer's eye into that composition. The strong backlit light gives it a unique monochromatic silvery touch.

TFS

Emmanuel