End of the Season, a photo from Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Photographer's Note

Last wednesday was the end of the short haaf netting season on the Solway Firth. This is one of a number of photos that I took this year and have collected together in my theme Solway Fishing .Here you see two haaf net fishermen standing and watching intently as the tide comes in. They are looking out for a movement that signals there is a salmon swimming in this (for the time being) shallow water.I think they stand in a manner similar to herons; not with one leg out of the water but the legs of the beam that holds the net held above the water.This is in readyness to make a quick run towards a swimming salmon with the hope of scooping it in the net. Usually though, the fishermen hold the beam and net in the water, hoping for the sigh to obligingly swim into it and then they scoop the net up and over the beam before knocking the salmon on the head with a stick they call a priest (or is that preist?). This is the Scottish side of the Solway but in the distance you can see the English shore and beyond the mountain that is Skiddaw in the Lake District National Park.The foreshortening effect of the zoom makes England appear much closer than it really is.

graffer, tyro, Vasa, Kielia, rigoletto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

graffer (1800) 2009-09-15 15:08

Hello Bev,

An almost monochrome image, that at first glance appears very still and peaceful, with the soft reflections on the water, until one notices that strong current running from left to right past the men's legs.

From a compositional point of view, I like the way the peak of Skiddaw rises immediately above the head of the man on the left, and the line of the third passes exactly through them. The other man – a smaller image due to his being further away – lies on the other vertical third, and aids the sense of perspective, as the eye is drawn towards the distant silhouette of the Lake District mountains.

Strong diagonals of the beams make a good contrast with the loose folds of the nets.

Kind regards,

Peter.

saxo042 (38078) 2009-09-15 23:39

Hi Bev,
First, a very interesting note! Secondly, I am very surprised to see this strong movement of the apparently calm water surface. Compositionwise, this is also a very fine picture with a good diagonal from the reflection of the left "håv" up to the other man. The left man, with his large "håv" is well placed in the picture. I wonder how this picture would be in B&W?
Kind regards
Gunnar

tyro (30513) 2009-09-16 13:21

Hello, Bev.

Another fine picture from your collection of "Solway fishing" which, I see, you have now grouped as a personal theme. Very good.

Again, I think you have done very well with these shots. The lighting in none of them could have been at all kind to photography because, if we assume that England is south of Scotland and we are north of the equator, then pretty much all of your pictures here have been taken into the prevailing light.

This one, like the others, shows very pleasing composition which I can appreciate though I can't quite break down the reasons for appreciating it as can Peter and Gunnar: they appear to have much more analytical minds than I do. The colours and subdued contrasts are good and the exposure, despite the unfavourable lighting conditions, is spot-on.

As Gunnar says, the currents here look very string despite the misleading apparent calmness of the water. I am sure these waters are very, very dangerous for the inexperienced and unwary.

I have had a look now at the collection or personal theme which you now have of "Solway fishing" and very nice it is too. But you know what's missing? How about one or two pictures of the final product - a fine Solway salmon? Or what about some good close-ups of some details of the nets? Does your husband sit at times repairing nets? - if so, a picture of that activity would also add some more interest to the theme, I think.

Kind Regards,

John.

Vasa (515) 2009-09-16 16:09

Hi Bev,

many pictures about fishing you made. This one is between the best. Many thanks for sharing, especially if you are in the water just for make the photo. Nice light and worth thematic photo for my modest collection of fishing in the world. Proud of your visit,

Branko

Kielia (24077) 2009-09-17 10:59

Hi Bev,
I think that this is the most fascinating image showing your theme. It is classic and timeless and looks almost like sepia. Very nice light and excellent contrasts. There is always a very intimate atmosphere in images that show people working and you have captured this mood perfectly. I also enjoyed reading your note. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

rigoletto (34279) 2009-09-17 12:31

Jealous of your such photos, I went to Leith in order to find such scenery when i was in Edinburgh. But the weather was so nice that it granted me some magnificent sunset photos. Though, i prefer this kind.
Lovely of colors, composition and mood, yet again underrated, i don't know why...
Best wishes,
Deniz

Cretense (68709) 2009-09-18 5:19

Hello Bev!

Excellent daily life scene, reminds of scenes from Southeast Asia! Great composition and framing, excellent light management, beautiful atmosphere! Congratulations!

Hercules

faubry (35447) 2009-09-26 9:19

wonderful light here on this fisherman, good diagonale
soon
francine