Just revisiting old images and thought this ight be a change from the multiple-exposure/ICM images I've been presenting.
This is another image captured on foggy beach day - transient sea fog quickly enveloping the beach and gloriously diffusing the harsh summer sun.
The image tells the tale of a young boy wandering down the beach oblivious to the conditions. The image is framed and scaled to show the relationship between small boy set against his surroundings, a furtive glance as he strolls asking questions.
I don't think you can get much more minimal than that, a question remain; is the implied story strong enough to support the image?
I think it is, Alan. There is a strong sense for me of the child's vulnerablility, curiosity and smallness in the "big world". I like your placement of him in the composition, gazing at what we cannot see. Actually a very strong, if understated image.
Calls to mind Friedrich Blundtshoffen, Lambrusco Fettucini and Gerrit van der Zuidensee.
Now you are just taunting us. But I am checking these photographers out.
Now Ruth, would I do that?
I thought the middle one might be a giveaway...
;-)
I'm on to you.
Thanks Chris, I bet their work is in good taste....….
Some of their names are a mouthful I must admit, but what artistic nourishment!
This is a favorite for me Alan. Top 5 images of yours in my opinion. You hit every point for an impactful image - it is technically well done and loaded with story. This is a knock out!
Agree totally.
If grudgingly, cos Alan didn't like my cloud. :- |
He's probably never even HEARD of van der Zuidensee...
So few have...
I actually think I drove through there on a road trip through the Netherlands......
Thanks for your l kind words Ruth, especially so as I know they come from a place of honesty.
Alan, we get a lot of fog here and I've been wanting to try a foggy light house theme but I haven't because of concerns for my lenses. Do you do anything to protect your lens from dampness? Or even from fogging the lens during the shoot? Tips would be appreciated. I have endless subjects for foggy scenes but fear of hurting my gear keeps me from heading out. (I've read online but I'm just wondering about your strategy)
I think you needn't worry too much, Ruth. I've sometimes been out all day in more or less constant rain or spray, especially going to waterfalls, wiping the camera and lens constantly, and only had a problem once, with my Nikon 801s film camera, which jammed with the mirror half up. I put it in front of warm air from the motel's air con, went out to dinner and when I came back it worked again with no further problems. Today's DSLRs & mirrorless cameras are generally better sealed. I use old Nikon manual lenses with little sealing against moisture.
Once your gear equilibrates with the environment, fogging tends to stop.
I keep three cotton hankies in my pockets, and if need be use an improvised cover (a hood from a jacket) over the camera, uncovering just the business end of the lens. Sometimes I've stood there for a quarter of an hour, lifting the cover occasionally to drain puddles on it, waiting for the rain to diminish so I could take a shot.
I also wear a fairly broad-brimmed hat in wet conditions, which acts as a kind of umbrella when at the viewfinder or changing lenses.
At the end of the day, I put everything out in fromt of the heater, or in the sun when I can, until it's all warm to the touch. And no problem in nine years of DSLR use, tens of thousands of images, often in moist conditions.
Don't worry about Alan. He didn't like my cloud.
perhaps only because you have raised expectations so high Chris and I am comparing against such high standards :-)
It was actually a really sunny day when I headed out - my goal was to scout shots for later visit. I couldn't believe the fog when I got there.
In short no prep. I would say that it's likely important to keep your equipment at ambient temperature (ie no air conditioning in house/car) to prevent condensation.
Otherwise I always keep a cloth in my bag but on this instance had no cause to use.
My feeling is that when opportunity knocks you have at least to open the door.
Interesting about the dampness. I have always been under the impression that fungus was a problem if your lens got wet. Hmmmm. I have to go - it's foggy!
It's an issue with continual dampness, like in very humid climates, Ruth. Not occasional NJ fog if you dry gear thoroughly. I also put gear over central heating vents for several days when I'm back home from a damp winter excursion.
Great news! This opens up so much opportunity. Thanks guys!!
In the plant world it takes 8 hours of dampness for fungus to take hold. Not like for like but perhaps a limit to keep in mind.
Ever since I joined fstoppers I was always amazed by the complex compositions. But for some reason the simple ones always tugged at my heart in some way. This brings out so many feelings (not even the one you've mentioned. But my own feelings of feeling lost through life, searching for something etc). The beauty of this is there's so many feelings not just a story for me. I love the tones, the soft colours (I think this was why one of my own shots with an individual walking really spoke to me). Images like this keep on teaching me that less is certainly more. Definately one of my favourites on this site by far and the one that speaks alot to me.
Hi Alan, Expressed elsewhere earlier. For the story, Will it be better to show the boy a more defined and stronger (enhanced contrast)?
never the less, a very good frame.