Thursday, February 01, 2007
August Bank Holiday Monday
The end of August. Newport, Pembrokeshire. The dog knew that I was there but not the couple. A strong wind made life quite difficult for the dinghy sailors.
Permalink / posted by and copyright of John Ellis : 7:39 AM
Comments:
I think this suffers from too much going on. If the harbor were empty, it might work better. Conversely, if the people weren't in the frame, and it was just the harbor, that might have been better.
The dog, of course, has to stay.
I do enjoy the human part of the scene. The opposing views as to what is worth looking at. The serious shoes for a walk in the country. The hat (because it is summer) and the jumpers.
I can see how you couldn't blur the boats because you need the building sharp to balance the composition, but the boats intrude too much into the story (or at least my version of the story).
His shoes are serious, but hers appear to be Teva sandals.
I noticed...he is looking at the hills, and she is looking at the beach. They hadn't discussed where they were going before putting their shoes on...
Colin of the Yard on the hunt for the contradictory tourists!
A lot of ifs and conditions Matt! The owners had to stay as they were on the end of the lead! The empty harbour wouldn't have attracted me from this position (but others yes, in the right conditions). We've known this place for some 20 years and used to bring our children to the beach across the estuary near the headland, if only occasionally (40 minutes from home). But it's a lovely place with the Preselis rising above the village to the right. The building is the sailing club (which was surrounded by a large group of English holiday-makers, who were the ones trying to stop the dinghies from capsizing). The main village is about 1/4 mile to the right but behind me is a small cafe. It was on coming out of there that I saw the dog. I was able to position myself to my satisfaction (if not everyone else's!) with only the dog wondering what was going on. The objective was to have a bottom to top picture in layers: up and over the bank, across the water and then the hills and cliffs. It was designed to capture the feel of a public holiday in a tourist spot (albeit pretty empty in comparison with other destinations). It was far from my mind to render any of it unsharp - quite the opposite.
If there is any influence I would cite, it would be Tony Ray-Jones even if this is not quite in the same league.
The fact that there is so much going on that only the viewer is interested in adds to the appeal of this shot. I'll not dwell on the boat entering his mouth though... Be interested on lens type as I'm guessing fairly longish. The wall top right needs a little attention eventhough it does compliment the dog and the jumper. Some curious little interplays - the tall mast centre with the power line pole; the jagged rocks front versus the smooth rolling hills in the back. A lot going on for sure - no wonder our three subjects are taking a rest.
That man near the centre of the image caught me by surprise. I'd been staring for some time and managed to miss him.
A busy photograph of, I guess, a busy scene. As others have said there's a great deal going on element wise but that is what this image is about. Pembrokeshire, on a Bank holiday.
PS. Not sure why but that building seems to be leaning to the right.
Post a Comment
The dog, of course, has to stay.
I can see how you couldn't blur the boats because you need the building sharp to balance the composition, but the boats intrude too much into the story (or at least my version of the story).
I noticed...he is looking at the hills, and she is looking at the beach. They hadn't discussed where they were going before putting their shoes on...
A lot of ifs and conditions Matt! The owners had to stay as they were on the end of the lead! The empty harbour wouldn't have attracted me from this position (but others yes, in the right conditions). We've known this place for some 20 years and used to bring our children to the beach across the estuary near the headland, if only occasionally (40 minutes from home). But it's a lovely place with the Preselis rising above the village to the right. The building is the sailing club (which was surrounded by a large group of English holiday-makers, who were the ones trying to stop the dinghies from capsizing). The main village is about 1/4 mile to the right but behind me is a small cafe. It was on coming out of there that I saw the dog. I was able to position myself to my satisfaction (if not everyone else's!) with only the dog wondering what was going on. The objective was to have a bottom to top picture in layers: up and over the bank, across the water and then the hills and cliffs. It was designed to capture the feel of a public holiday in a tourist spot (albeit pretty empty in comparison with other destinations). It was far from my mind to render any of it unsharp - quite the opposite.
If there is any influence I would cite, it would be Tony Ray-Jones even if this is not quite in the same league.
A busy photograph of, I guess, a busy scene. As others have said there's a great deal going on element wise but that is what this image is about. Pembrokeshire, on a Bank holiday.
PS. Not sure why but that building seems to be leaning to the right.