"Oysters for Free" Photo

Photographer’s Note

Last weekend we went to visit my wife’s sister and her husband, they have a holiday house at North Arm Cove. It’s a gentle drive of about two and a half hours north of Sydney. North Arm Cove is on the upper reaches of Port Stephens, a fantastic waterway known for its superb fishing and its oysters. Sydney Rock oysters are famous, but they don’t come from Sydney Harbour anymore, the variety known as Sydney Rock are farmed up and down the coast of New South Wales.

North Arm Cove is oyster lover’s heaven, they are growing by their thousands on the rocks at the waters edge. All you need is a shucking knife and you can eat as many as you like, for free.

This is an oyster farmers punt, they use the derrick to lift the trays of mature oysters out of the water.
I shot this quite late in the day, as you can see by the shadows.
Normally I don’t use a CPL, but for this shot I liked what it did to the sky and the water.

Oh no, please, do I have to eat another ten oysters, I’ve already had thirty, I guess I can force them down.
Pity you weren’t there Lisa, you’d have been in heaven.

bakes888, JanD, snunney, ktanska, daddo, Kielia, gunbud, burraburra, cfreire, jusninasirun, delpeoples, MLINES, jhm, trekks, BelCan75, gervaso, Clementi, Budapestman, jlbrthnn, ellelloo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bakes888 (18189) 2009-10-23 1:30

Hi Peter.
How many Oysters! And is it true they give you virility? Nice photo, that polariser has given the clouds a nice contrast. Nice compo also, good lead-in and depth. Nice work and thanks for sharing (the photo anyway ;-).
Have a good weekend, Paul.

JanD (14885) 2009-10-23 1:30

Howdy Peter!
Amazing seascape, wonderful landscape. Nice boats. Excellent light and colors. Wonderful calm.
Regards.

Nicou (44799) 2009-10-23 1:43

Hello,

grandiose compo, quelle merveille desdeux bâteaux dans ce calme cette sérénité, avec de merveilleux reflet, un fantastique immensité, un calme, grandiose.

Bravoe t maitié

Nicou

bema (8731) 2009-10-23 1:58

Hello Peter,

a great shot, you´ve done here.. like the colors and the calm and serene mood a lot!

have a nice weekend, best regards Bernd

npecanhuk (13881) 2009-10-23 2:18

Hello Peter!
That's a very beautiful picture!
Sharpness, exposure, dof and colors are excellent!
The pov couldn't be better and the composition - a highlight here - is truly effective and quite attractive!
I love the way you placed the boats and their reflections, the pier and the moment of capture where the water was so calm and the sky so blue!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

jimkil (528) 2009-10-23 2:25

Hi Peter
Taking lessons in how to handle light better maybe? Gotta admit man your using this in a very good way, I can see this in your last few posts for sure, I think your images are getting better and better. Colours are beautiful, light obviously terrific, and the reflection aint bad either.
Have a good weekend
Jim

snunney (34868) 2009-10-23 2:39

Hello Peter,
I like oysters a lot, unfortunately they don't always like me and I tend to steer clear; perhaps I will have to try again after reading your interesting little story ;-) A very attractive composition of this peaceful and serene corner of the world. The point of view is well chosen to capture the delightful reflections and use the little jetty as a lead line. The light is beautiful giving good colours and some interesting light and shadow contrasts. Great sharpness.

rodgerg (24029) 2009-10-23 3:22

Hello Peter,

A very nice landscape and a superb shot impressive but too full of serenity. Very nice reflections in the water, good balalnce in the composition with the elemnst of the FG well located on the right, greta prospect, beautiful contrasts well colected, white color well exposed... a nice image full of qualities. An excellent post for TE.
Best regards,
Roger

ktanska (16567) 2009-10-23 3:22

Hi Peter,
It's a beautiful coast with many sheltered bays away from the open ocean. No doubt a great place to spend free time, especially with a boat. Just great. And with that sense reminding Finland, as we have our thousands of lakes. Very peaceful scene on sunny and clam weather.
Kari

mozzy27 (267) 2009-10-23 3:41

Gooday Peter
What a serene shot,well composed and lovely reflection in the steel blue water, wonderful sky also.
Very nice TFS
Peter

daddo (11350) 2009-10-23 4:30

Hi Peter. Incredible stillness. I suppose your feeling of contentment after all those oysters has transferred onto the image. Lovely light and the CPL has given a mellow hue to everything.Nicely done you bon vivant. Regards. Klaudio.

delpeoples (6054) 2009-10-23 4:50

Oysters? Did somebody say oysters? And they're free? Fantastic shot, with killer reflections and a great DOF - and you only used f/7! Wow. I also like the line created by the pontoon. Great job, the Aussie boys are on fire tonight. I'll be over for my dozen Sydney Rock later. Love ya, Lisa

francio64 (11032) 2009-10-23 5:02

Ciao Peter,
bellissima foto. Luce e sharp sono davvero eccellenti amico mio.
Il pontile dà dinamicità alla scena e anche un buon DOF.
Bello anche l'inserimento delle due barche in primo piano con i riflessi nell'acqua.

Bravo Peter!
Francesco

Kielia (8487) 2009-10-23 5:10

Hi Peter,
outstanding photo work and a very beautiful and strong composition with a fantastic atmosphere of tranquility. The light is very attractive! And what a story! I am afraid, Lisa was lucky, concerning the effect of forty oysters. My goodness!
Warm regards
Harriet

mortijo (12228) 2009-10-23 5:25

Beautiful seascape photo. Colors and reflections are great. I'll gladly have a dozen oysters myself, thank you very much.
John

Gerrit (35697) 2009-10-23 15:29

Excellent composition and fantastic light again.
Great one, Peter

gunbud (27851) 2009-10-23 17:02

Hi Pete,
Looks like heaven to me with the beautiful blue sky reflecting in the calm harbor below.
Very tranquil the reflections of the two boats and a mouth watering note. If I was you I would still be digging up those free oysters.
Regards, Tom

bracasha75 (22097) 2009-10-24 0:35

Helo Peter
Peaceful place there in North Arm Cove!!!
Well ,like in your note stay ,the oysters are for free and somwhere (most parts) in the world koast they very match!!!Your cousines have good place choised for his home !!!
Thanks for this beautiful picture
Bratislav

burraburra (847) 2009-10-24 4:51

Hey Pete,
You can have my oysters. Unfortunately free - but I'm not a fan :( Now to the photograph; I like the bursting bright white of the wharf. Fantastic reflections, even the boat in the far right middle. Yep, good shot.
Cheers (free beer anywhere?)
Graham.

cfreire (11647) 2009-10-24 15:13

Hi Peter,
Really, this shot is splendid with these beautiful lights, colors and contrasts. The boats are well placed and their reflections are attractive and beautiful. Superb job. Regards, Consuelo

jusninasirun (10199) 2009-10-24 19:35

Hi Peter: This is just another fine image with the water so still and pristine. The jetty leading to the boats in natural color balances so well against the tranquility of the cove. Looking at this image making me want to take a dip. So refreshing and thanks for sharing. Best regards. Jusni

MLINES (10884) 2009-10-25 2:09

Hi Peter, It looks a wonderful place to spend some days (or a lifetime). The blue tones are very pleasing to the eye. The calm waters are really glassy conditions. Your story is interesting and fun to read. This is the third of a great sea series, can almost smell the salty air. TFS. Murray.

diomed (4011) 2009-10-25 4:40

Hi Peter,
very quiet and fascinating atmosphere in this picture.
Great contrastand nice soft blu tones.
Nice Sunday
Antonio

jhm (82487) 2009-10-25 4:59

Hello Peter,

I am not great fan of oysters, I find the smelt not delicious.
But happy that a lot people are great fan of the seafruit.
Nice picture, very soft, nice reflection too.
Soft colours, good presentation.
Nice depth and perspective, nice photograph job.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice sunday,
John.

BelCan75 (2418) 2009-10-25 10:16

Hello Peter,

What a beautiful and serene sight...it makes me feel so calm just looking at it. Great composition with wonderful light, great colours and details. I love the reflections on the water as well. Great work!

Greetings,
Ann

SteveH (3899) 2009-10-25 15:05

Hi Peter, Ordinarily a central horizon might not work, but with the other elements it seems ok. I wonder how it would look though with some cropping from the bottom and top and pano format? Placement of the jetty works well, leading into the image. That looks like a beautiful location, wish some of my relatives lived somewhere like that. They would see a lot more of me than they presently do. I'm not that keen on oysters - I 'll them for you and Lisa. cheers, Steve

gervaso (5208) 2009-10-25 18:32

Hello, Peter!

The picture has an excellent clearness, the sharpness and colors are just perfect! Wonderful reflections! Very well done! Wonderful composition!

Clementi (44047) 2009-10-26 0:14

Ciao Peter,
what an atmosphere, and that history in the note, believes both the only place to the world where the oysters can be eaten free.
very beautiful the reflex and magnificent management of the light.
Giorgio

foozi (4717) 2009-10-26 6:52

Hi Peter,
again the lovely blue sky is very beautiful. The white clouds too make it more pretty. The reflection is superbs. How i like the slanting shadows of the posts give a good graphical effect.
Yo have thought a great deal n producing this exciting scene.

regards,
Foozi

skippy007 (7047) 2009-10-26 22:37

Hello Peter, I thought I had already commented on this, Alzheimer's maybe?? never mind here we go, at least this explains the big family & still working on it you say, any chance you can show me where this place is. Nice shot, beautiful blues & contrasting white poles, good light, long shadows, perfect reflections creating interest. I like the tranquil atmosphere you have captured here, I think the calm blue waters, clear skies with night quickly approaching combine well to create this atmosphere.
Regards
Santo

carper (64804) 2009-10-26 22:41

very nice perspective here Peter,
nice place, well taken shot, good reflection fine atmosphere, good photo job, have a nice day.
regard jaap

Waylim (10781) 2009-10-27 23:34

Hi Peter,
Love this beautiful rich blue tone, wow and that reflection is just fantastic. Beautiful composition wiht the pier leading the viewers in. Great clarity, exellent sharpness, beautiful light, love the sky with these light clouds. Thanks.
Way

dvlazar (6476) 2009-10-28 21:05

Hello again,
Well i can see you like your boats and river scenes - this one is really nice due to the way the light is falling on the subject.
Well done,
Dave

ifege (1773) 2009-10-31 17:15

Some how I missed this when you posted it Peter - another superb photo. The CPL certainly brings up the sky (and probably water in this photo - nothing wrong with using it when the sky is a a little washed out. great reflections, probably helped by your relatively high shutter speed.
And the oysters - bring them on (although weren't they having problems with invasions of pacific oysters at Port Stevens?
Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Ian

Budapestman (41886) 2009-11-05 3:30

Hi Peter,
picturesque landscape with peaceful mood and beautiful blue colours, the lights and clarity are excellent, the POV is very attractive, calm and tranquil atmosphere, splendid shot. Tfs! Have a nice day!
George

jlbrthnn (37913) 2009-11-17 7:30

Hello Peter,
Once again, an astonishing light for an image perfectly and harmoniously made up. All is well seen, until the clear and pleasant reflections. Beautiful photograph. Cheer.
Cordially
Joël

ellelloo (4761) 2009-11-18 11:12

Hello Peter,
This photo transmits a wonderful serene atmosphere.
It is a fine shot in many ways, a good well thought composition, beautiful colours, excellent control of light and perfect sharpness. A joy to view!
Greetings from wet and grey Finland,
Lasse

baba_flies (7985) 2009-11-21 5:41

Hello Peter! WOW!!! What a place to own a weekend house ... seems so quiet, perfect to recover from a week in the city. You managed to bring this quietness into your camera. All so beautiful. Well oysters, I am not too sure about them, the "eating them raw" part is not so much my THING but I like them when they put them in the oven (with cheese ... had them like this in France). But maybe I should just try it the way you describe it, right out of the sea. Sounds like a great adventure ... have a good weekend, Barbara.

Photo Information

Copyright: Peter Wall (phwall) (5562)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-16
Categories: Decisive Moment
Camera: Nikon D90, AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, Hoya 67mm Pro1 S-HMC Cir-Polar
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-23 1:20