Wings in the sky

I am fascinated by backlit sails... are them enough of a

photographical subject? And what would you change in this shot? Your

comments and criticism are much welcome.

The linear perspective here is very well done. The composition is very interesting. Regards, Kelvin.

Magnifico color, belleza de luz y composicion, con un perfecto encuadre, un cordial saludo Salvatore.

What I like here especially is the way how you chose the camera point and perspective, I mean the mast and sail lines ponting towards the single cloud. The backlight is attractive, with the play of light and shadow like a shadow play. I wonder how it would look without the mast ? (dont know the correct term) that touches the upper border. Not a major issue, but if you ask...

 

Cheers

Carsten

A wonderful quasi-abstract composition. The converging lines, back-lighting, and colors are all compelling. Carsten is right about the position of the cloud, too -- superb timing.

Interesting diagonals where the vanishing point is up, and not down, ending in the middle( not exactly) of the cloud, which hints of a good timing. I like the two upright lines( poles of must) that are " breaking" the diagonals, and are bringing an "unballance" that is ballancing and bringing interest to the composition. The vivid sky are adding to the whole.

Kevin, thanks. It's always tricky to shoot these things upwards: you get the impression -while looking at the results- of being waling over the sails...almost disturbing a perspective.

 

Julio, muchisimas gracias

 

Carsten, you nailed -of course- the only thing I dislike here, that is the spreader (technical name of the metal structure coming out of the mast) touching the frame. It was not supposed to, but I had to time the shot with the waves and the cloud, and this is the best I managed. With each wave the cloud would go from one extreme to the other of the frame.

 

Chris, thanks. Incidentally, once discovered how nice sails look backlit, I hardly have taken any non-backlit sail shots anymore!

 

Pnina, I had never thought of the two additional parts of the rigging (spreaders) as breaking the overall direction and flow of the shot. Thanks for suggesting it. Since I am used to know they are there, I do not "see" them in the photograpical sense. It is a very refreshing perspective to interpret them this way, and I think I will be thinking more in this direction in the future.

Salvatore, it's interesting to compare this image to the Sailor Shadow image. I suspect they were shot on the same trip, if not within minutes of each other, yet they convey such different perspectives. This one is a bold and successful composition suggesting strength, power, harnessing nature etc., the other is more introspective and gentle. I've enjoyed viewing them both. It's making me want to get out on the water this weekend!

Laurie, the two shots are indeed from the same trip: I guess you've seen that the sail is the same!. If you really like these sails, there is something from an older trip here.

Actually, Sailor's Shadow is taken with the boat nicely anchored in little wind, while in this one we had a nice breeze: the foresail is rolled on itself to reduce its surface. Indeed, this gives a feeling of how it is to harness the power of the wind and I am glad again this message made it trough. I agree that it is amazing how many different moods a picture of a sail can give, and I appreciate your opinions in that respect.

Just the word 'sail' on Laurie's comment got me here and I am so happy it did. I wouldn't change a thing! Yes, it is more than interesting to be a photographic subject! I would buy a print if I could afford it (no kidding). wonderful perspective!! and how lucky is catching that white spot of cloud just above that vanishing point! you are so lucky if you sailed on this. Viewed all the sail photos. Nice and abstract (less is more kind). They suggest the allure of the sea in a subtle way.

C TR, thanks for your kind words. More than luck, it took some patience and good timing to get the cloud at the end of the mast... but I had a bit of time as long as the sun would stay behind the sail and keep this warm light.

 

As for a print, we can for sure find an agreement...