diving off the edge of the world, a photo from Guerrero, Pacific Coast

Photographer's Note

Holy diver!

ACAPULCO is one of Mexico's oldest coastal tourist destinations, reaching prominence in the 1950s as the place where Hollywood stars and millionaires vacationed on the beach in an exotic locale.

The “original” Acapulco, where hotels owned by personalities such as Johnny Weismuller and John Wayne are located, is on the northern end of the bay.

Acapulco's reputation is that of a high-energy party town, where one can have dinner at midnight, dance until dawn then relax in the daytime on the beach crowded with sexy bodies in bikinis. The nightlife has made this place famous for decades.

We stayed in the famous Flamingos Hotel, which has Gloria Swanson on the original board of directors. Although it is a bit away from today's tourist scene (not a bad idea), this is Acapulco's original hideaway for the stars. It's a truly wonderful place to stay and comes recommended.

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THE LA QUEBRADA CLIFF DIVERS are one of Acapulco's star attractions. The tradition started in the 1930s when young men casually competed against each other to see who could dive from the highest point into the sea below. Eventually, locals began to ask for tips for those coming to see the men dive.

Today the divers are professionals diving from heights of forty meters into an inlet that is only seven meters wide and four meters deep, after praying first at a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe. The shrine is just visible in the top right corner of the frame.

This breathtaking spectacle can be seen from a public area, which charges a small fee or from the Hotel Plaza Las Glorias/El Mirador from its bar or restaurant terrace.

That is, if you dare to look...

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A decisive moment, if there ever was one!

ISO-400
see WS for a more nostalgic bl/w version

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song title reference: Black Sabbath

ManuMay, Guenther, Budapestman, kordinator, jonathan_hart, bukitgolfb301, pablominto, gildasjan, lpi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ManuMay (36447) 2010-10-01 7:33

Hi Benny!

Impressive view, a greatmoment in motion and fantastic composition!

Amazing play of colours and an optim point of view choosen...really great!

Even your WS is really good, a kind os 60´s mood fitting really well!!

Have a nice week end...

Manu

Guenther (10915) 2010-10-01 7:40

Hi Benny,

a quite dramatic view, it's difficult to imagine this jump can be safe... gorgeous environmental surrounding, too. Really impressive!

Kind regards,
Günther

weetrees (159) 2010-10-01 8:19

Hey Benny

You forced me to look out for new posts from yourself when i noticed you were on

This is just great buddy, superb colour saturation and the diver topping it all off A brave fella indeed

Well framed and caught just at the right moment.

The black and white version, not so sure about that one.
The sky is a bit over exposed upper right

Needless to say Benny i aint gonna say all that and leave you guessing what i mean
I have included a workshop for your perusal in my idea of black and white

Cheers
John

[workshop] [compare] +

dta (98564) 2010-10-01 9:35

Hello Benny ,
What an impressive shot ! it seems so dangerous to dive there . The contrast is great between the fly of the man and the rugged big cliffs . splenid colors , too (stone and sea) .
Regards

Budapestman (82620) 2010-10-01 13:28

Hi Benny,
great catch! the composition is very impressive, superb timing and POV, Tfs! Have a nice weekend! Kellemes hétvégét kívánok!
György (George)

kordinator (8738) 2010-10-02 0:52

Hello Benny
An impressive composition
Beautiful colors,excellent light managment.
Fine contrast.
Excellent point of view choosen.
Very well workshop images.
Great job.
Regards
Saša

jonathan_hart (21276) 2010-10-02 2:33

famous divers of Acapulco... risky hobby! it is impressive that there is only four meters of depth.
you nicely caught the place and pressed the button at the right moment. very good picture
jc

jasmis (58647) 2010-10-02 11:00

Great photo. Superb moment caught.

Regards.

leo61 (0) 2010-10-02 11:05

HI Benny!
A great self portrait!!!!

You had a good timing to catch him in this position and pose.
I like tto the B&W worrkshop photos.
Regards,leo

papera (14372) 2010-10-02 14:21

you stayed in a hotel whose board of directors had Gloria Sunset Boulevard Swanson on it..?? go away!! :)
I can't look at this picture, well actually at the diver, for too long - I can't help the feeling that he's going to crush down on the rocks... but other than that, I find it a very good picture, the tiny diver floating in the air, the turquoise/blue sea vs. the warm cliffs, the rocks creating a wedge into the blue of the sky and of the water.
personally I don't see any OE in the white clouds on the right, on my Mac I can see quite a lot of details...
I like both WS too, as a matter of fact I think I would have liked better a mix of both, but I guess that without extensive PP, layers, etc. it would have been very difficult to combine.
c.

bukitgolfb301 (53894) 2010-10-02 15:45

Hello my dear Benny

Waoo--- brave man indeed. Amazing secenary and perfaect moment you catch and convey to us. Considered nice framework and well mature composition as usual. So fresh and comfortable color touch too. Blessing on your great job and thanks for sharing, have a beatuful Sunday!
Best regards,
Takero

Giorgio (11279) 2010-10-04 2:48

- Joli shoot Benny, juste au bon moment, beau travail et merci du partage sur le célébre rocher, c'est pas Elvis qui saute mais quand même, bravo !
Greetings.
giorgio

pablominto (53746) 2010-10-04 23:30

Hello Benny,

This of course reminds me of the old movie with Elvis Presley, that I watched on DVD the other day hehehe!
Fun in Acapulco, I assume this was taken from somewhere near the restaurant and the moment is captured with great skill...
Well framed, good details!

Greetings,
Pablo -

gildasjan (43826) 2010-10-05 4:53

Bonjour Benny
En regardant la vignette j'ai cru que c'était un albatros.Magnifique image avec la teinte de la mer en bas à gauche.
Bravo et bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

abmdsudi (89469) 2010-10-06 2:12

Hi Benny
Nice memorable image captured from this famous place. The position of the diver is perfect, a good sense of height and scale of the cliff. Beautifully well balanced image, there is feeling of strong water movements below. What equally impressive is the cliff itself, lovely textures and fine shades and shadows it formed. Colors and sharpness are both superb. Splendid work! TFS
Warm rgds

hemantbuch (1649) 2010-10-06 11:28

Hi Benny,

Just had an opportunity to look at your gallery...you obviously enjoyed your Mexico trip :) this is a spectacular photo with beautiful sharpness and wonderful pov, colors and just the perfect moment...it is a truly amazing shot...so TFS...

By the way, if you want to plan a Sri Lanka trip, drop me a line and I can help plan it out for you...I have been there a few times :)

Regards,

Hemant

chrisnet (23062) 2010-10-11 12:33

Hello Benny,
It's a very impressive shot, I think it's dangerous the diving here, well seen and taken.
Regards
Christian

HimalAnda (10671) 2010-10-13 10:19

Hello Benny,

You managed to catch a "moment décisif" as we say in french. The man diving from the top of the cliff seems to be so small!

Stéphane

batalay (41261) 2010-11-13 5:34

Hello Benny again,

After having seen the image of the 'Holy Divers,' I had to see the previous shot, one of them at work. The man is soaring like a nightingale. What incredible timing and courage it must take. Did you know that traditionally the high-steel workers building the sky scrapers in New York were native Americans, devoid of any acrophobia also. A day at the office for them, can be seen here.

Warm regards and have a good weekend,

Bulent

lpi (4857) 2010-12-01 10:57

Bonjour Benny,
Superbe point de vue sur cet impressionnant plongeon!
Très belle composition avec de jolies couleurs!
Bravo pour ta galery elle est superbe!
Amicalement,
lpi

nszeretlek (1199) 2010-12-30 0:05

Amazing picture and do wonder why they don´t forbid those foolish jumps ...The man flying and the dizzy water awaiting are superb ! Best wishes