The Noir of Surfing Photo

Photographer’s Note

Cool, stormy weather doesn't keep real surfers out of the water. Though he may seem contemplative now, no doubt this one will be back in there shortly.

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Critiques | Translate

robertosalguero (110) 2009-03-07 0:00

Hi Ken,

Very nice image showing this quiet moment. The dual tones give us an indication of the serenity going on in this place. Good placement of the surfer ahead of the layered waterscape. Thanks Ken :-)

Roberto

Dpbours (220) 2009-03-07 0:51

Hello Ken,

That is very nice. Strongly contrasted in the blacks and whites. I like this kind of work. The space given here to that one lone surfer almost absorbs him. But he is there! You can't go around him in the composition and it would not be the same if he would not have been in it.
Very nice!

Greetings, Dennis

burGu (4548) 2009-03-07 1:25

Hi my neighbour today :)
A quite nice b&w photo, well contrasted and composed.
Surfer and his surf watching the waves and cloudy sky...
I can see clouds are just about to leave and a bright sky will appear, and at that time waves will be waiting for the surfer.
It also shows how small we are in front of the immensity of ocean and sky.
Best wishes,
Burcu

casperduppy (1470) 2009-03-07 1:33

Hi Ken,
What a fantastic b&w seascape of the swash zone. The parallel gradation of tones, back and forth from light to dark, is just so pleasing to see. The moody sky, with the hop-along clouds in the distance (well that's what I always call them!) adds atmosphere. And then of course the surfer, placed in the corner possibly wondering where the ship is sailing to.

Just so much to see and marvel at.

Thanks for sharing, Casper

baba_flies (8099) 2009-03-07 7:39

Hello Ken! Great composition with the lonely surfer sitting there with his board thinking about waves and maybe life. I love the vertical format with a bit of land and plenty of space for these wonderful and yet scary storm clouds. So you think he went out again :))) looks pretty chilly. Happy weekend ... Barbara.

devimeuxbe (56370) 2009-03-07 13:56

Hi Ken
it's not so easy to get landscapes in black and white. You have to find strong contrasts. This one is beautifull with the vertical cropping.
Well done
Bertrand

Flavia (10202) 2009-03-10 9:32

Hi Ken,

Unusual subject for a B&W, but it surely works. I would had like a little less of the sky and more of the sand footsteps, but I tend to have always more foreground tham sky which sometimes I'm criticized for... Or maybe a squarish format also would had worked, I tend to feel lost in this sky, it that what you intended? If so it works perfectly like that!

chris04stop (2513) 2009-03-10 14:33

Ken, my son Francesco is a windsurf-instructor. He loves a lot the sea. So, I can see him, so often far, in your beautiful, intense and significant photo. Thanks.
Anna Paola

bashhar (643) 2009-03-16 13:17

Très belle scène de vie. Le noir et blanc est particulièrement superbe et bien adapté à cette photo ou l'on pourrait presque sentir la solitude du surfeur.
La composition est également excellente.