Kaikoura Coast Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hi all.
This shot was taken on our recent South Island (NZ) tour. These rail tracks follow the coast north of the town of Kaikoura on their way to Picton.
About 50M to the right of where I took this shot is the beach and about 30M to the left is the car park and I had just gone to the beach to see if I could get a shot of the local surfers (or seals). On the way back to the car I spotted this scene so it is really just a grab shot with my telephoto lens. And no, there were no surfers or seals ;-(.
Enjoy, Paul.

saxo042, robertosalguero, vmf-214, phwall, patdeph, ribeiroantonio, Budapestman, Kielia, danos, JCG, xuaxo, feather, dip, denisn72, lucasgalodoido, ktanska, Cretense, stego, Charo, jhm, Bluejeans, cunejo200, Didi, jafadabret, racheltafoya, Angshu, josepmarin, alainh, plimrn, skippy007, siolaw, BelCan75 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

saxo042 (15650) 2009-07-02 22:39

Hi Paul,
Excellent composition with the railway tracks disappearing into the misty valley. The layers of mountains in the background are very attractive.
Kind regards
Gunnar

davidsinger (2107) 2009-07-02 22:49

Beautiful colours and misty atmosphere a little shame for all the disturbing text.

David

bema (8731) 2009-07-02 22:50

Hi Paul,

really a nice picture, the railway is leading the eyes nicely into the picture and the mist in the backgroung is a great addition..

wish you a fine day, best regards Bernd

robertosalguero (110) 2009-07-02 23:30

Hello Paul,

The soft tones of the image make it very pleasant. I like the diagonal line created by the rail line and the nature of the this place. The lack of a train gives it also a more spiritual aspect. Thanks Paul :-)

Roberto

aadilj (17950) 2009-07-02 23:42

This has such a lovely and such deep perspective. I like the way you have composed this scene. Superb image indeed.

vmf-214 (1622) 2009-07-02 23:42

Hi Paul,

Really nice POV you captured, Excellent color contrast and nice lighting. Like the view of the tracks disappearing around bend, also like the mist in the background Paul. Have a great weekend.

Best regards
Jason.

phwall (5562) 2009-07-03 0:24

Hi Paul,
It must have been quite a big surf running going by the amount of salt spray in the air..
There's something about a telephoto lens, I always like the compressed look they give. Nice bit of composition, the railway lines are perfectly placed and the folds of the hills in the background look superb.
Nice one.
Regards
Peter

AiresSantos (42080) 2009-07-03 1:21

Hi Paul
Great composition with wonderful POV and details
I like how you framed it and rails in diagonal
Fine layers in background also
TFS and have a nice weekend
Aires

juliettecorvett (269) 2009-07-03 1:48

very good shot, great composition! i like the mystical touch of the landscape, the great vegetation and the green-brown colours.
regards,
juliette

patdeph (17846) 2009-07-03 2:12

hello Paul
the perspective on the rails is excellent,I like how they are going through the landscape!I like very much the soft and misty different layers of mountains on the background,this is very beautiful!Very well done!
Regards
Pascale

ribeiroantonio (21913) 2009-07-03 2:33

I did travel by car from Picton to Christchurch but did not have the opportunity to see this or the surfers or seals. Instead, I stoped in Kaikoura to look at and taste the famous lobsters!!!
The shot is very good with excellent lines leading the eye to the back of the scenery. Well done.
Antonio

Nicou (44799) 2009-07-03 2:42

Hello,

qwuelle image, quelle perspective sur ce voie avec le reflet brillant, la brume en fond, cette belle végétation, sueperbe compo.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

Budapestman (41886) 2009-07-03 2:47

Hi Paul,
Splendid shot with fantastic lights and spectacular composition, the depth of the photo is superb. Great! Have a nice weekend!
George

danyy (68738) 2009-07-03 3:22

Bonjour Paul,
uen jolie carte postale qui ne manque pas de perspective et avec des luimières très particulières et j'aime beaucoup cette brume qui ajoute une atmosphère un peu glauque et inquiétante.
Excellent week-end .
Daniel.

wolf38 (12765) 2009-07-03 5:42

Hello Paul. A wonderful motive. Realizes photographically in the best way. Compliment. Regards, Wolfgang.

Dyerco (9070) 2009-07-03 7:12

Hi Paul
The tracks make a great leading line as always and the mountains provide layers of diagonal lines that ala in all create a very pleasing composition. The mist adds a little mood to the shot as well. My only comment would be to have used F11 or F16 as it might have helped the clarity a bit.
Phil

anokutan (7599) 2009-07-03 10:47

Hello Paul,
I like the diagonal line created by the rail line and the nature of the this place.Superb image indeed.Regards.

Kielia (8487) 2009-07-03 10:59

Hi Paul,
it is the mist that creates the atmosphere which makes
this image very interesting and attractive. Your POV works excellently leading the eye along the railway track into the depth. Wonderful colors and a very nice light. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

molla (6883) 2009-07-03 13:50

fantastic moogy and Almost nostalgic image over the narrow rail and the bush that seems almost eating up everything in it's way-
In a way I'm longning for this hide out among countrys in the world.
Cheers Mate !
Anders

gneufeld (15169) 2009-07-03 17:53

Hi Paul,
I like this shot - the long parallel lines cutting across the frame in a diagonal renders this image quite powerful. good light, depth, and clarity. Well done and TFs. Gerald

jjcordier (24634) 2009-07-03 22:24

Paul
Belle composition avec une superbe perspective créée par ces rails idéalement éclairées. L'atmosphère brumeuse au loin donne une atmosphère particulière à cette belle photo.
Amicalement
JJ

danos (32432) 2009-07-04 2:03

Hi Paul,
really nice perspective of these rail tracks that lead the eye on the far end of the scene.The fog on the background make the scene more elegance.Well done.

Have a nice weekend,Danos

ChrisJ (70203) 2009-07-04 2:38

Hi Paul

Superb use of diminishing linear perspective, with the diagonal rails adding good lead in lines & dynamism. Excellent sharpness & framing. Have a great weekend!

darek1978 (11183) 2009-07-04 4:07

Hi Paul,
What a amazing scenery. Foggy and misty weather can be very good for photography like in here. It always adds a feeling of mystery and suspense as in the movies. I like very much the layered composition and the way you composed the railtrack withinpicture. Well done!
Best regards,
Darek

Giorgio (8700) 2009-07-04 4:36

- Incredible ambience Paul and mysterious atmosphere, maybe the misty background, splendid transverse slanting in verdant landscape, really a successful shot, well done!
Have a nice weekend.
giorgio

JCG (25315) 2009-07-04 8:35

Hello Paul,

An interesting back-light which gives an atmosphere particular to this railway landscape… I like much this beautiful prospect where these rails shining accentuate this feeling of depth in the image. Pretty glance Paul, cheer.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

delkoo (34296) 2009-07-04 9:56

hi paul,
A fine composition making good use of the railways as lead-lines.
sharpness is not at the best but the perspective is really impressive.

didier

emka (21423) 2009-07-04 13:04

Hi paul, Excellent perspecive here. I like abubdant vegetation and a nice mist. Splendid perspectiwe of the railway.
regards

Malgorzata

Gregtom (7119) 2009-07-04 14:30

Hello, Paul!
Very nice moody atmosphere in the deep of the cadre and well catched railway leading the eye. Beautiful place!
regards,
Greg

xuaxo (5719) 2009-07-05 5:06

Hi Paul,
Beautiful composition with the railroad going down to the fog in the valleys. It seems like a dream or a fantasy film.
The watermark is OK. But the big text on top of the frame seems too much like a postcard.
Greetings,
Francisco

ryno (4612) 2009-07-05 5:38

Hi Paul, there's something evocactive about railway lines...this shot would make a good cover photo for one of the Theroux travel books. Great depth, nice reflections of the steel rails, and just a beautiful photo in general. The landscape is surprisingly reminiscent of my part of the world, the South African south coast.
Regards,
Ryno

feather (49860) 2009-07-05 8:22

Just as you no doubt intended the railway lines lead the eye into the scene. Even where they disappear into the corner the implied bend takes the eye to the misty mountains. There is nothing to indicate the proximity to the sea. (Kaikoura is definitely on our itinerary)
Kath

rodgerg (24029) 2009-07-05 9:26

Hello Paul,

A POV very well slected and a good use of the rails give a very good prospect nad a great depht. The fog in the Bg give an intersting athmopsher to the image.
Very orginal, very efficience, very good.
Best regards,
Roger

dip (12576) 2009-07-05 21:24

Hi Paul,
a beautiful image with excellent pov and perspective,
nice pp work too!
well done,
Dimitris.

jurek1951 (25990) 2009-07-06 2:44

Hi Paul,
Beautiful and picturesque scenery. Nice composition, colours and lighting, well framed.
Georg

jmdias (19225) 2009-07-06 7:53

paul

excellent ligh, it made the compo perfect. I liked the lines of the rail in the ground, creating diagonals that made a nice contrast with the shapes of the hills. very nice job. congratulations

hugs

jorge

Waylim (10781) 2009-07-06 11:17

Hi Paul,
At least you got this very nice image even if there were no surfer or seals. I like the perspective here with the track leading us in and turn to the misty part of the landscape with successive layers of mountain range. Very nice depth of field, colors and light are well balanced and natural looking. I do feel the title on top is a bit distracting with such bold type. Perhaps smaller and less intrusive font will be more adequate.
Way

denisn72 (6979) 2009-07-06 13:25

Hello Paul!
The point of view you have chosen is perfect. It drives my glance up to the right curve. The abrupt mountains, the trees and the mist are impressive elements that make the composition great. Excellent perspective! Nicely done!
Best regards
Denis!

anesugur (16858) 2009-07-06 13:40

Hi Paul,
Beautiful composition and POV.
Nice colors, good details and light.
Best wishes. Uğur

batalay (20920) 2009-07-06 16:26

Hello Paul,

This image is destined to become a classic. The composition with the pair of rails, creating a diagonal, and converging in the the distance immediately carries the eyes into the horizon. Meanwhile, the amorphous misty hills in he background serve as an ideal backdrop to this winter scene in the South Island of New Zealand.

Warm regards,

Bulent

lucasgalodoido (16601) 2009-07-06 19:05

Hi Paul,
I´d like of this type of picture, with a deep railway and planes of mountains. Great job, my friend.
Regards,
Lucas

berek (28901) 2009-07-06 20:40

Hi Paul,
I want to go away by train. great perspective with lovely nature atmosphere. you managed light very good. mystic fogy days. well done.
greetings.
Burak

ktanska (16567) 2009-07-07 5:37

Hi Paul,
Rails lead well in to this wonderful scene. While background mountains are hazy on backlight, closer object provide strong contrast. Vegetation is so lush as it always seems to be in NZ.
Kari

gildasjan (23775) 2009-07-07 9:58

Bonjour Paul
Superbe perspective de cette voie ferrée et ici la brume à l'arrière plan donne du caractère à cette image.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

chantelley (65) 2009-07-07 11:29

Hey Paul,
Looks like you dont really need any more critiques but I thought I'd leave one anyway!
I love the mist by the mountains, it really gives another dynamic to the photograph!
And thanks for your comment on my train tracks photo, although yours puts mine to shame!
All the best,
Chantelle

PS. Wish I was in New Zealand instead!

Silversnow (2119) 2009-07-07 13:47

Hehehe, sometimes we end up doing a much better picture than intended out of an ordinary-looking subject ;-)
I love this kind of composition where the parallel rails go on in the distance.
I'd have loved to see a vertical shot of this though, with a road or path that goes into the distance it can add a more compelling flow to the lines, especially if it allows to see the top of those mountains :-)

hay_kes (28562) 2009-07-08 0:56

Hi Paul,
What a superb image vith great POV, colours, light and composition.TFS.
Cheers,

hAyAti

Cretense (56072) 2009-07-08 6:55

Hello Paul!

Excellent photograph, great landscape, beuatiful atmosphere! Great framing and composition, amazing perspective! Flawless light managment and beautiful colours! Congratulations!

Hercules

npecanhuk (13881) 2009-07-08 7:05

Hello Paul!
That's a wonderful picture!
The point of view was very well chosen and you composed this image so nicely and cleverly! The management of light was skillfully done as well! Sharpness is suitable to this photograph too! I specially enjoyed how you placed the railroad in the scene and those layers of mountains in the mist and sunlight in the bg! Great contrast!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

stego (22352) 2009-07-08 12:20

Hi Paul,
I like this one a lot, for its visual arrangement and the light, which looks quite challenging to tame. The railroad is an irresistible lead-in, but what turns this photo unique is that in the BG we have t turn right, into the valley immersed in the glowing fog.
Regards,
José

Charo (31671) 2009-07-08 12:56

Hello Paul,
Singular capture a beautiful atmosphere. I like the fog that envelops the mountains in the background. Excellent depth and detail.
Best wishes,
Charo

John_F_Kennedy (31391) 2009-07-09 0:30

Creative perspective. Eye catching photo with the dust in the background. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

Greg1949 (8507) 2009-07-09 4:17

Paul, guess I have been slacking a bit, I see you have several posts that I had not yet seen. I love this one, the fade to the distance is great and the track is a great lead back into the shot, great work.

Greg

jhm (82487) 2009-07-09 4:24

Hello Paul,

This is real an excellent perspective picture through the long railway tracks
Excellent composition with the railway tracks disappearing into the misty valley.
Also these picture is colourfully and excellent presentation.
Excellent picture the colours are wonderful and details are good to.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Bluejeans (32269) 2009-07-10 5:24

Oi Paul ,
Que profundidade de foto magnifica devido a esta linha de comboio na diagonal , linda a natureza , deve ser uma bela viagem de comboio , gostei do nevoeiro ao fundo , bons tons de verde, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

cunejo200 (7157) 2009-07-10 13:09

A superb composition Paul. The rail track adequately serves as a lead-in the misty vista beyond. Poetic and moody. Best regards...
Danilo

Didi (36084) 2009-07-11 7:20

Hi Paul
Very interesting lateral perspective
Very good management of the lights with the misty right background and very nice contrast.
Bst regards

dvlazar (6476) 2009-07-12 19:33

Paul - love your perspective shot here - and the mist in the green hills is an added bonus.

Good work!
Dave

Flavia (10202) 2009-07-13 7:56

Hi Paul,

Great composition with the rails bringing the eyes to to mist mountains. The bg is maybe a little exposed, but it does not compromise the beauty of the picture.

Regards,

Flavia

toto (18709) 2009-07-13 11:09

Bonjour,
belle photo de cette voie de chemin de fer qui se dirige vers ces montagnes brumeuse.
Jolies couleurs et bonne netteté de l' ensemble.
Merci du partage.

Amitiés Thomas

barrufeto_77 (25807) 2009-07-13 14:04

Hi Paul.

I like 2 things. How you invite us "into" the picture and that lovely fog...

Well done!

pablominto (40634) 2009-07-13 22:33

Hello Paul,

I feel the point of view is well chosen here, as it places the rails so well in the frame!
Awesome feeling of depth is enhanced by the haze in the background...
I also notice the fertile vegetation and wild flowers along the line!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Glint (3042) 2009-07-18 11:36

Hello Paul,
I like the strong diagonal line of the rail. It gives a great feeling of a journey, one I would like to take!!The railway takes us through the folds of the hills.The mist is an added bonus.
Bev

jafadabret (39591) 2009-07-18 23:28

Bonjour Paul.
J'aime cette perspective qui s'enfonce dans un très beau paysage de montagnes et de brumes.
Un vrai plaisir !
Bon dimanche !
Jacques

mauro61 (15512) 2009-07-19 14:05

ciao Paul,
ferrovia che scorre lungo la perfetta prospettiva del tuo scatto,
Ottimo trattamento in PP e foto di grande impatto,
saluti
maurizio

racheltafoya (505) 2009-07-19 14:48

Hi Paul,

I love perspective shots and this is an impressive one. I like the mist between the mountains, and that we can see several ridges back. I enjoy the wildflowers beside the track as it reminds me of walking along the local rail lines when I was a kid.

Your POV is excellent, and composition perfect. Helluva good job with DOF, particularly with a telephoto lens!

My only criticism is: I find the signature and title distracting from the actual photo.

Best Regards,

Rachel

Angshu (33641) 2009-07-21 0:36

Hello Paul
The perspective with the railytacks has been very effectively created. Like the deep tones of green & of course the layers of mountains vanishing into the mist in the BG...but IMHO the font size you used for the titke is a bit too dominating..affects the viewing pleasure of this fine picture!
Regards
Angshu

Scharan (13951) 2009-07-24 12:55

Olá Paul

Incrívelmente linda esta paisagem e muito
bem registrada. Excelente perspectiva, as
cores são belíssimas e a composição é fantástica!
Parabéns
GA
Vera

josepmarin (33785) 2009-07-31 3:56

Hi Paul,
The deep perspective of the rail tracks, which take our eyes up to the curve in background, and the mist on the landscape, they create a beautiful image, with a very special atmosphere and very attractive at sight.
The composition is simple but you have obtained a great graphical strength.
A great work.
Best regards,
Josep

alainh (35367) 2009-08-01 23:59

hello Paul
the great diagonal !! splendid variations of green in this foggy atmosphere !!
thanks a lot for the site, great pictures of hight moutains !!!
a nice day for you Paul at the other side of the planete !!
friendly
alain

plimrn (19624) 2009-08-02 16:17

Hi Paul,
I just love this image with the train tracks curving along the foggy coast into the layers of misty mountains. We took the train from Christchurch to Picton and it was beautiful; we also took the TransAlpine and the train from Wellington to Aukland so it's happy memories for me as well as being an exceptionally well-composed work.
HLJ, Pat

skippy007 (7047) 2009-08-02 16:58

Hello Paul,
A nice wintry looking scene,one that I can really appreciate from the comforts of my warm lounge room ;-). I like your composition with the railway line leading us into the frame & the right bend into the mist. No surfers or seals but you didn't come away empty handed.
Thanks
Cheers
Santo

siolaw (25734) 2009-08-02 22:51

Hi Paul,
Good use of the strong lines of the rail tracks, in the middle of nature and misty hills. Atmosphere is well conveyed!
Greetings
Laurent

BelCan75 (2418) 2009-08-06 20:30

Hello Paul,

What an amazing shot! I love the depth created by the rail road which takes the viewer right into the photo. The distant view with the layers of mountains and lingering fog is amazing. Excellent work!

Greetings,
Ann

giorgimer (21136) 2009-08-17 3:37

Hi Paul,

I rarely saw a railway so deeply in the nature, nice subject, beautiful perspective.

TFS

Gio

vasilpro (8690) 2009-08-20 11:07

Hello Paul,
Excellent composition with a very well chosen POV and a very good DOF, an elegance scene in a wonderful mood.
Regards, Vasilis.

subhendu_bagchi (3079) 2009-09-10 8:31

Namaste Paul Bakker,
lovely scene of a railway track with the green surrounding. Great light control and sharpness. Nice layers of mountains with gradually faded look. Tfs. Have a great time.
Subhendu

serp2000 (9487) 2009-11-29 22:26

Superb! Excellent composition, Paul,
I like this composition! My compliments! TFS!
Serghei