The Joy of Fishing Photo

Photographer’s Note

What attracts people to fishing? If you’re a first time fisher, you have to go to the store to buy a fishing pole, get your permit, buy some baits, you can easily spend over a hundred dollars. Sit there for hours just waiting. We certainly spend a lot of effort just to catch those fishes down there who’s minding their own business? Only if they know how much trouble we go through for them, some fishes may just feel so sympathetic and sacrifice themselves and take the bait.

Perhaps it’s the anticipation of catching something. For me when by myself, it’s the feeling of solitude I enjoyed. When with friends, it was the conversations and time spent together. It was never really about catching fish. If it’s really about fish, wouldn’t it be cheaper to just go to the store and get one?

I was on a moving boat, I couldn’t really get a good DoF, but I like how it turned out with a slight blur and misty effect and the man looking toward the ocean and sky, with a sense of solitude and anticipation.

ISO: 400
f/7.1
Shutter Speed 1/200
34 mm

casperduppy, pablominto, danos, macondo, Sistercosmo, patdeph, avene, Kielia has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rodgerg (22885) 2009-06-29 10:31

Hello Way,

A composition very simple but very efficience and very nice too. I like the lonelyness of this fisherman in the middle of this decor. Very good and impressive photowork.
Have a nice evening,
Roger

casperduppy (1460) 2009-06-29 11:49

Hi Way, I think you hit the nail on the head. It is not just about the fishing. I fish a lot and for me, when with friends, it is about the banter, the jokes, that kind of thing. When alone I think about everything and nothing! I think however, as you said, there is always that gut feeling of "any minute now!"; an anticipation that probably harks back to the days when we were once hunters and gatherers.

As to your shot, I like the tranquil vibe, the placement of the man and rocks, and the gentle colours in the sky. A simple photo, but one which conjures up a peaceful time by the sea, waiting and watching for anything to happen.

All the best, Casper

maximage (13197) 2009-06-29 13:33

Bonjour Way,
Très jolie compo, bien construite et bien réalisée avec de bonnes proportions.
La couleur du ciel est particulièrement belle.
Amitiés.
max

gneufeld (14959) 2009-06-29 18:20

Hi Way,
A very quite moment of solitude! Seems a fine place to refresh away from the pressures and anxieties of the day. Good idea and I like the position of the fisherman in the frame. TFS. Gerald

aadilj (17950) 2009-06-29 22:29

Hi waylim, this is minimalistic and superbly composed. I like the feeling of relaxed lonliness and the way the person seems not bothered at all about anything else in the world

jimkil (524) 2009-06-30 3:52

Hi Way
I remember Newport from our travels, not a bad place at all. Nice soft colours and light, important to have the fisherman, more visually appealing. A joy only if you catch something though :-), but for me its relaxing and great fun.
Regards
Jim

emka (21127) 2009-06-30 10:52

Hi Way, interesting ideas about fishing. when i was in France on barge, my friend had all this eauipment, bought (rather expensive licence) and try to catch something. Some little fishes he caught(and gave them freedom later:)) cost a lot of money. I like sometimes solitude or to be with friends and I do not need fishing to that.
nice silhouette of the man, so little.

Regards

Malgorzata

MarianneS (14262) 2009-06-30 22:44

Hello Way,
Your photo looks like a painting, with very soft colours, the sky is really special.
You placed the fisher at the right place in your while the rocks create a strong perspective.
I never fished by myself and I would not be able to keep patient and silence for more than a few minutes so, I will not try ;-) But I can imagine that it must be very relaxing when you can enjoy nature and peace and quiet during a few hours.
Have a good day!
Marianne

pablominto (39832) 2009-06-30 23:23

Hello Way,

That guy seems terribly alone!!
A fine composition where the big rocks and huge sky makes the fellow look even smaller, but probably happy anyway since he carries his fishing pole hehehe...
A different but attractive depiction of the fishing game!

Greetings,
Pablo -

danos (31520) 2009-07-01 6:50

Hi Way,
an almost daily hobby of all over the world fishermen.A simple shot with the warm afternoon light to make the scene romantic and at the same time a peaceful one.

Regards,danos

macondo (12933) 2009-07-01 10:12

Hi Way,
Simplicity speaks here, and I think it's well sharp enough at this size. The gentle and subdued lighting and pale sky lend a slightly melancholy, reflective mood, reinforced by your notes. Good capture from a moving vessel.
Regards,
Andrew

baba_flies (7903) 2009-07-01 10:38

Hello Way! Well joy, I don't know, I am always happy if nothing hangs there ... LOL ... but I totally agree, it it is the "making things together" aspect that counts and makes us happy, sharing moments. I like the man up there, just by himself, trying to find the best spot to spend some hours and hopefully come home with the catch of the day. Very nice mood indeed, very well seen. Have a wonderful day ... Barbara.

Sistercosmo (2477) 2009-07-01 12:06

Hi Way,

you really caught the fishing mood well here! Simple composition to emphasize the simple feeling. Well done!

Why not go to the store and buy it? Common - every man likes the challenge of the hunt and especially the joys of the reward! :-))))

Have a great evening!
Linda

patdeph (17308) 2009-07-02 3:55

hello Way
when I opened the picture,I thought that it was not the best light,but after reading the note,I think that this dark light transcribe in a better way the impression of loneliness.I like the way you have framed with a little band of water,a bigger band of stones,and at last,the lrge band of this ondeful soft sky!The fisherman is perfectly placed in the frame!
Regards
Pascale

Kielia (8111) 2009-07-03 11:30

Hello Way,
a simple but so beautiful composition! The image shows exactly what you are describing in your nice note. A wonderful mood of the seaside, excellently composed. Congratulation!
Warm regards
Harriet

avene (10810) 2009-07-10 15:00

another nice shot, the minimalistic composition and strong horizontal lines create a calm and relaxing feeling, a sense of wide open space. pastel tones, soft light - very nice :)

regards,
Kristine

BilboCA (734) 2009-08-10 21:26

Hi, Way,

In the context of your gallery, I would rate this photo as good, but not great. I picked it to critique today for a change of pace!

I think your note indicates an emotional attachment you feel for the experience that this image represents. I have analogous connections to many of my own photos. (And I am beginning to learn to be careful to not mistake that attachment for my own critical assessment of my work. But it is a slow process to learn that lesson!)

Of course, for a photo to work for a viewer, somehow the image itself must make some emotional connection for that person who didn't share your experience of the events to which the image is tied. For me, the experience of fishing is complicated by sea sickness as a child and, later, learning of my wife's distaste for even witnessing the killing and cleaning process. That baggage no doubt colors my response to the image.

Technically, there are a few very nice elements. I like your choice of thin horizontal strips of water and the rock jetty. Along with the sole fisherman positioned way to the right in the frame, these elements effectively convey a sense of solitude.

Ultimately, what I think keeps this from being an excellent photo is the lighting conditions. Your sky, to which you've devoted 2/3 of the frame, has a flatness that I find repels my gaze. Had your image been illuminated with a soft direct light from a low angle sun, then I think the image would have conveyed "joy" rather than the "loneliness" I feel.

Kind regards,
- William