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Charles Mercier's picture

Porto boat

Still working on my personal photo book but wanted to post this. Unfortunately, I took this at f8 so the water reflections have little star patterns which gives it an overall hazy look. Next year when I return, I'll shoot this with a different aperture. (After posting this, I'm also not crazy about the bridge arch shadow going through the top of the boat.)

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8 Comments

This is a nice photo, Charles. I actually like the water reflections as it supports the overall feeling of calmness for me. You're right about the bridge arch shadow. Can you PS it out? Do you post your photo books online at all? I'd love to see your images.

Thanks. PSing it out will take too much time. lol I'll be going back next year, I'd rather just take the photo again... that's just the way I am. (I know, sheez.) I used to have a website but I'm cheap. Also, I just think that the internet is a license to steal so I never post my best images on-line. (Yeah, I know.) I just make photo books on shutterfly and occasionally sell one to people I meet. Unfortunately, no one can buy them on-line except me. I guess if you and Alan (and anyone else) want, I could send you copies to look at and then send them on and eventually back to me.

Yes, that's understandable on both counts - not wanting to put the time into the photo and not wanting to share your images due to stealing. I've enjoyed your website in the past and your profile images on this site. Hope you are doing well!

Thanks. Most things are going very well.

I agree with your converging line incident. Sometimes it is easy to get focused >snicker< of what you want composed that "you see, but you do not observe", as Holmes told Watson in A Scandal in Bohemia.

How open of an aperture are you thinking of?

Overall I love the composition. Great job.

Thanks much! It's a fair distance so f2.8 or 3.5. I was mostly interested in the composition and waiting for the boat to enter into the middle of the frame. The boat was moving fairly fast so it is more an issue of timing.

You have done a good job of isolating the boat against the backlit water. Removal of the shadow may help this as you suggest, I'd like to be able to compare if you remove.

One possible issue I see myself is the specular highlights on the water lower down in the image.
The bright area draws the eye down from the subject and I think could be toned down a bit using a radial filter.

Aas with Jennifer it would be good to see your book online.

I agree but I'm not sure if I want to put that much time into the photo. Also, see my response to Jennifer above.