Mirror Mirror, a photo from Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Today I got the opportunity to go out on the Solway sands and follow the haaf net fishermen into the water.The opportunity arose because the sea was calm and mirror like and although there was a fairly largish high tide at 8.5 metres the men chose to fish in a spot where the water never rose to more than thigh height.So I followed them into the water but only going in to knee height.At one point I retreated as the water felt strong against my legs as I was concerned I would land unceremoniously on by backside and get water in my camera; I wasn't able to hold my grouind as the haaf netters say.Only a few weeks ago there was BBC camera crew filming for the programme series Coast here and they too were concerned about their equipment. Needless to say they were protecting a camera many more times expensive than mine!Not easy shooting conditions for me again as it was late morning with a bright sun. Because of the strength (to me) of the water I was prevented from moving to a position where the sun be in the right position.But oh! what a beautiful morning...( can feel a song coming on here) and I really loved being out there.I may get the opportunity to go out again sometime depending onthe tide times and so on.More about haaf netting here and here is another shot I took just before I walked off the shore. The sun behind me this time.

tyro, Royaldevon has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tyro (30513) 2009-08-07 17:08

Hello, Bev.

Mary Celeste indeed.

Another wonderful shot of your haaf fishermen heading out into the morning sun. And another picture and another fine note for your presentation which you have, clearly, been encouraged to publish somewhere in your local area, if not more widely.

As you say, these were extremely difficult lighting conditions. I've done a little workshop for you. See what you think. I've used a feature in PSE6 which is "Lighten Shadows/Darken Hightlights" and to which I was first introduced by Silke when she wrote a critique about a picture of yours on (I think) TL. It was a picture of a farm gate with lots of snow - that's all I can recall just now.

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. Whoa! I've just looked at your link to that pikkie on TL. Must go have a dekko at that!

[workshop] [compare] +

saxo042 (38078) 2009-08-08 8:00

Hi Bev,
Another interesting contribution in your series of haaf fishing. Here are some very beautiful reflections of the clouds and the fishermen are very well placed in your composition!
Kind regards
Gunnar

giorgimer (35017) 2009-08-09 16:29

Hi Bev,

nice composition, wonderful effect by the clouds reflection and the shapes under the water surface.

Well done!

Gio

Royaldevon (78142) 2009-08-13 23:52

Hello Bev,

A well composed shot with the horizon line smack on on the thirds.
I love how the calmness and the clarity of the shot has given great textural details of the sand, under the water, in the f/g.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)