A Wistfulness in the Estuary

Your comments and suggestions are most welcomed...

David, why "Wistfulness", this photo is full of very realised quality in the tradition of the great landscape painters of the 19th century. It can obviously still be done. Bravo.

Anders

 

It's funny, David, when I view this one I don't see "wistful." I see "hope." Or perhaps, "End of Winter." Viewed large, this is tremendously effective in really putting us there with you, experiencing this place. I like how the water channel beside us winds into the distance, converging with other channels and leading us into the light, under the open sky. Also like the subdued colors that again contrast with, and point towards, something brighter in the distance.

The sky on the lower part is still grey, but the blue "hole" in the sky is very cheerfull, and especially different from the yet dark earh. Even the tree/bush on the R. h/s is in its leafless form.

 

Compositionwise, the blue sky makes a triangle that is contrast to the rectangle of earth. the light on the bg. is also like a starting point with the sky. Beautiful David.

The title implies perhaps "wish to be there". It MUST be viewed large, as mentioned you really have the impression of being there then. The sky was cooperative for your composition, nice how the curves on the left converge in sky and land, the right part of the cloudscape is kind of continuation of the diagonal lead-in. And, the foreground curves lead us to the cloudscape`s vanishing point. The colors and tones are worked out masterly, really in the Old Masters? manner. My only change I would suggest is the wood on the left: wide angle distortion warped the growth direction of the trees, they lean towards the center. I dont think that was intended. Recently I saw an example for a successful correction of this warp, and I would fix it in PS if it were mine. Not a big issue, but you know I am a bit anal...

 

Cheers

Carsten

David, I like the sense of perspective, depth the image conveys. I do not think the image is sad in any way, merely I find it calm and quiet and the muted colors contribute to this feeling. Perhaps I simplified too much and I do not understand all the nuances of the word "wistful", so perhaps you could explain why you feel this about the image. As Chris already noticed, the broken clouds give a feeling of hope of end to the greyness of winter. I am not sure about the two poles in the lower left area, I think they are a foreign element in the otherwise seemingly untouched nature. Best wishes, Peter

Anders thank you for your comments. The landscapes from that time continue to be an inspiration to me. Thank you very much.

 

Thanks Chris. Wistfulness does imply a yearning. Here is Webster's definition: full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy; also : inspiring such yearning also musingly sad : PENSIVE

 

And Chris I am very pleased when my images can 'put you there'. Thanks to Chris for discussing your responses. As you know, I do so enjoy these more subdued colors.

 

Pnina, Thanks for sharing your response. We are fortunate to see and share such beauty.

 

Carsten I much appreciated your take on this composition. You help us all to 'see' better. Also thanks for pointing out the lens distortion. There is a quick fix in PS. I've used it before to fix a horizon.

 

Thanks Peter. Good to hear from you. I do think these darker tones convey some sadness. Also the estuary is emptying which metaphorically conveys loss. But this image is only 'tinged with melancholy' -- the sky is opening and in the distance there is the opening to the sea, which beacons.

 

I have a keen interest and curiosity over how landscapes affect mood. This is something I attempt, with varying success, to bring to my work. Thank you all. Your responses mean much to me.

 

 

somehow this is special - I respond to the textures of the grassy islands, sharp branches and torn clouds but cannot tell why exactly I like it so much...

You're right, clouds are key to your compositions. I especially like your continued exploration of murky tunes in the foreground. They lend great mood to the scene. Keep it up.

a tad on the dark side in the foreground, david. then, terrific sky, and composition. a silly comment from a funny person:).

Your landscapes are superb David...this no exception. I love expansive skies and you capture them beautifully. The dark atmosphere is different to most seen on this site and I rather prefer it to too much saturation. Great title btw! :)

Thanks Andrea. Sometimes what moves us is rather ineffable, and it's OK to leave it at that.

 

Thanks Leigh, I do like the mood here.

 

Thanks Klaus, yes this one is a bit dark but I am not loosing details in the brambles on the right. But with a differently adjusted monitor you might.

 

Peta thank you for your kind words. I so admire your work. I look forward to further exchanges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David, superb sky and a beautifully composed foreground though again I would as a matter of personal taste lighten the foreground.

 

I tend to agree about quetioning the title which relates to the feelings of the person viewing the scene. Obviously this is subjective and will depend on who is doing the viewing, their state of mind, the state of their digestion etc etc. I find remote places such as this exhilarating -maybe because they are so rare here in the UK.

 

But a fine atmospheric shot!

Heavy influence on my work one more time ...

Thanks Colin and Daily. I am very fortunate to have this so close to where I live (up on the Bluff on the left.) Daily, I really wasn't aware that my work has influenced you -- our work being so different. I will have to look deeper.

The chaos of the brush on the right vs. the sharply defined shape of the left treeline is interesting, but I have a vague memory of saying that in another of your shots. The posts are of course the ghosts of your previous visits, hunting around for compositions.

in how many brains we haunt around :-))