Dawn

Great discussion. Thanks all.

 

As I think of my image, after considering all the wonderful discussion, I lean toward saying it's documentary, BUT the artistic element enters when I left it soft left the color balance leaning toward red and cropped it the way that I did. Some of the alternatives offered are made even more "documentary" by cleaning up haze, adjusting color a bit and sharpening. All the lines, leading you around the image are artistic, but the framing is almost intuitive for someone that's been shooting for 60+ years, as I have. I don't remember exactly what I did, but I know that I'll often move my position relative water, or some leading line, to get it at a nice angle in the viewfinder. So, I artistically documented a moment in time, but did it with love and skill because walking a beach barefoot is one of my favorite things in life and I've been shooting long enough that I compose things in the VF and adjust my position to maximize balance and mood.

 

Thanks for all the thoughtful comments and discussion.

It is nice you like it.

I haven't read all the comments, just the first 6.

 

I think: if one were a surfer, one would 'get it' (i.e. understand the story represented in the image)

 

WW

I think the expanse of beach in the foreground and expanse of sky above lend a wide open feel to this and tie all the elements together of the image.together; they perfectly convey the quiet morning, and give us the feel of the unencumbered space. The colors of the sky are muted, the flat sand wet.... all the colors in the frame compliment one another, giving the photo great balance. I can really feel all that is shown here, and it feels good. The clear sky seems completely without wind, the three surfers walking into and toward the ocean kind of puts the focus "off canvas", letting us imagine exactly where we might be ourselves if this were us heading out to surf.