Timeless Hardship, a photo from Sao Vicente, Barlavento

Photographer's Note

This is a scan from an old picture. The original (in color) was not good, the scanning didn't help, and I haven't the software (or the skill) to make it better. Thus, I decided to change it to B&W and post it like it is: noisy, no good focus, no good contrast. Why? Because it feels like an older picture and illustrates well the reality: fishermen returning from their work, using a rather simple or primitive boat. This shot is from 1999 but it could be from several centuries ago. The hazy weather, that is blurring the contrasts (may I say this way?), it's also timeless and recurrent in this place, the Baía das Gatas, São Vicente Island, Cape Verde. This is the same location of my previous photo.
I don't like the boat right in the center of the image, but I didn't crop a side because it would become too squared. Any ideas for PP?
See a newer, color view of a boat like this and the fishermen on shore.
This is part of the series of Cape Verde Fishermen.
Imagem intemporal dos pescadores da Baía das Gatas, voltando da faina, ilha de São Vicente, Cabo Verde.

plimrn, MLINES, cengiz, emjleclercq, gunbud, riclopes, stego, Docarmo, Amaz has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kittyhawk (1802) 2006-06-01 4:53

Hello Fransisco,

Lovely photo, I really like the feel to it. This looks like a photo shot a century ago. I like the composition as well. TFS.

- Halgeir

nika (0) 2006-06-01 9:14

Hi Francisco , i 've heard about Neatimage (maybe to upload a demo version is free) that helps to eliminate noisy , also to make a general "clean" to blurry traits . You 're right , cropping a bit to leave aside the boat ...Qué tonto , yo que hago hablándote en inglés ...

El neatimage (yo nunca aprendí a usarlo , es muy del corte del Photoshop , pero más específico para eliminar ruido y aclarar fondos que queden muy difusos como el de tu imagen)

La idea es muy buena , pasarla a Blanco y Negro , sobre el "crop " , de acuerto , una imagen emasiado cuadrada queda muy artificiosa . Sé de la susceptibilidad de la gente a huir de encuadres muy centrados (personas o cosas) , voy pillando ese efecto visual .

La idea es interesante(alcanza el efecto que perseguiste , la atemporalidad ) , la composición que ejecuta esa idea también y técnicamente esos retoques de la cirujía fotográfica (dependen de un buen software, y para mi es un aspecto muy muy secundario)

Miguel

leo61 (0) 2006-06-01 15:33

Hi Francisco!
You did weel to turn this image into b&w and did no pp to sharpen or reduce the noise in the sky.
I`m sure if you would have been there a hundred years ago,in 1899, the scene would have been the same,as you wrote in your good note.Fishing method and boats are still the same.With your "old" shot you tell us verry well that nearly nothing happened and changed in these "forgotten island" the last 100 years.
Thanks for sharing,
Leo

plimrn (21344) 2006-06-02 1:19

Ola Francisco,
I like this compo a lot, The boat with its lanteen rig drawing is such a classic. Is the oar being used as a rudder? I think with the angle of the sails that it doesn't look really centered. Neat image is good for noise. Google also has a free image processing program. Photoshop essentals is around $30-50...Pat

cengiz (3593) 2006-06-05 10:29

this is really great my dear friend,
compliments

partha (14023) 2006-06-16 21:44

I like the cpomposition, the atmosphere and the wisely chosen B&W.
Only a lack of sharpness.
good job.

andante (7092) 2006-06-19 9:01 [Comment]

Show Comment +

emjleclercq (15780) 2006-08-29 16:17

A very nice and interesting picture, in spite of the technical defects. The B & W really adds to the atmosphere and the photo could have been taken anytime between the 20's to the 50's of the 20th century.

All the best,

Emmanuel

guillaumejm (0) 2006-10-07 6:12

Hello francisco,
You're right it was a good idea to post it like this. The B&W was a very good choice. It is intemporal and full of emotions.
Best regards
JMarc

gunbud (34066) 2007-05-30 19:11

Hi Francisco,
This image well illustrates the harshness of the fisherman's life. Yes this is a timless photo of these brave men doing what they know and love. The b&w and soft focus give this image an antique feel.
Regards, Tom

riclopes (35577) 2007-06-18 12:12

Olá Francisco,
Ok, esta ainda não tinha vindo, mas aproveito agora :)
Não deixa de ser uma imagem com piada, mas está de facto muito estragada e com uma composição muito central. E já vi que a actulaizaste com o link para o novo post e aproveitaste para chatear toda a gente - deves ser muito organizado :)
Pelos vistos ninguém avançou com ideias para pp.
De facto isto poderia ter mais de cem anos e isso até é giro.
Ricardo

stego (24132) 2007-09-30 16:04

Olá Francisco,
A sério que não digo isto para retribuir o que disseste sobre aquela minha do Nepal: apesar da falta de definição, é uma bela foto, com um ar muito nostálgico. Mais uma vez, só é pena que esteja tão centrada.
Um abraço, José.

MLINES (12516) 2008-01-28 13:18

Hi Francisco, A fine action photo of this group of fishermen in what must be a bitterly cold place in winter. It looks very much like a photo from the explorers around the Artic or Antarctica 100 years ago. Very dramatic series. TFS. Murray.

Docarmo (9767) 2009-08-02 12:45

Olá Francisco,
Está linda esta, histórica mesmo! Até tentei fazer uma descentralização e jogar um sepia, mas quando vi a outra colorida linkada na tua nota, desisti, tal a beleza dela -
"Cesse tudo o que a Musa antiga canta,
Que outro valor mais alto se alevanta."...
vou lá, já já, ver a nova musa ;-)
Docarmo

Amaz (11475) 2010-03-08 4:38

Impressionante captura, amigo Francisco!!

Boa B&P composição!!

Um abraço,