Inis Meain

Inis Meain island, Aran, Ireland. The man walked to the ferry pierwith his dogs, looked at the people coming down in the thin rain, thenwalked back slowly. A lot of silence around.

Indeed, one of thevery few photos I took that I actually tried to crop in 4/3. And itworked for this one. I should try it more often. What do you think?

I saw your insightful comment on one of Ton's recent photos. I agree with your viewpoint that the window trimming in that photo enhances the feel of the movement in the foreground. Ton is one of my favorite PN photographers and we've had many good discussions, so I thought I'd come look at your portfolio. Interestingly, I went right to your portfolio page and this was the photo that stood out to me. Funny that it's your latest upload. I like it a lot. It creates a very thoughtful mood and has much atmosphere while telling a very human story. Wonderful use of light and the composition creates much depth.

Fred, thank you for the kind words. I like Ton's photos a lot too. In fact, when I want to get depressed by looking at how many are better than me on this site, he is one of my top choices.Unfortunately (for my depression I mean) there are many more. I guess I should get over it! :-)

L.

honest Photography.

Wow boys, you're getting mushy on me or what? ;-)))

 

Seriously though. Fred thanks a lot for the compliment as I can honestly state that I can reciprocate it without any reservation because it very much works two ways. I too enjoy our "disagreements". Luca, the same applies to you of course. Always a great pleasure to exchange with people who are equally passionate about photography.

 

Enough of that, we're here to review your photo Luca and a damned fine photo it is. Not too hard though because this is Ireland and you simply can't go wrong in Ireland ;-). I like it very much partly because of the reason Boris gave and with which I agree (I like classic i.e. "old school") but even more so because of the atmosphere that you've captured and enhanced with your treatment of this photo. This is really very outstanding b&w. Your composition is a bit daring I must say because most people would have cropped some of that sky (and a square crop would definitely look as good) but actually it works rather well here while I like the fact that there is no definition there at all because it complements very nicely the feeling of a dreary day as does that wet road. And Fred is right of course about the unfolding story. It's a quite common scene but the way you present this hits home with me.

 

For me Ireland really is God's country. The hospitality and friendliness of the people is overwhelming (besides I like their accent) and photographically speaking it's a gold mine. In other words I want to go back there. Photo's like this you can upload every day as far as I'm concerned (meaning the quality, not the geography).

..not only because I choose my words carefully (as I don't believe in words).I am used to be honest, straight and hard. but this Photography.. I lived in Ireland short time - in Cork and Dublin. (very short, alas :( ) , maybe that's another reason why this hit me so intensely. this is that very photo, over which I'll love to open discussion by chalice of good good chillean red wine, or - in this case - dark irish beer (-;

reason? for me - it's irish pure.. not that for usual banal and trivial tourist. 1 man grown old like this country, 2 dogs going in direction, barrens waste land with so many details to SEE..

so, gentlmen - Brogan's pub, 24:00 today?

BB

I must say you have very good ideas, if only... Would be nice though discussing photography over a beer.

 

"I am used to be honest, straight and hard" Seems like I've met a kindred spirit then ;-) although I would prefer the word direct.You're right though, there is lot's to see here. Ireland has had some very hard times over the years but since so many (medical) companies have set up factory's there a lot has changed. I think we agree on another thing as well. I went to Galway some time back and from there to a lot of the surrounding villages some of which look a lot like this and finally to the Connemara and I was sold immediately. In fact I haven't met anyone yet who didn't fall in love with this beautiful country straightaway. Don't know if Fred's been there. If everything goes well I'll go back next summer and you're right at least part of the beauty is to be found here. Not sure the Irish themselves would agree though. But I've found a lot here of what I've known in my youth.

 

Cheers

No, I've not been to Ireland and was only to England back in high school.

 

My more recent travels have put me in Western Europe and Scandinavia.

 

Furthest east in I've been in Europe is Vienna which, in winter, was extremely photogenic.

 

A world tour right about now sure would be nice! I'll let you know when I strike it rich.

Very good shot and bw.

Compliments

Hi all, I'm happy to see this one worked for you. I like it a lot as well. I hear talks of chilean wine and irish beer... having lived in Chile two years, and having taken any occasion available to drink Guinness in my mere two weeks in Ireland, I think I see your point.

But I have to disagree with Ton, about the fact that you cannot go wrong with Ireland, in fact I wasted a vast amount of photos there, although the place is marvelous. I am just not very good (or experienced) at capturing that kind of place: I loved the scenes, I'm generally not so pleased about the photographic results, and this is part of the reason why this gallery is growing just now, after one year and a half after the trip. The same happened with my Easter Island trip. The place is unbelievable, but the photos were rather poor overall. So I suppose it will take me a year and a half to bring any one of them to PNet...

Thank you all again! L.

The stuff that gives B&W photography a good name! Put me down on the side of the argument that would include a crop of the sky area. (say, lose everything from just above the second tallest utility pole to the top of the frame). That vast mass of bright sky attracts the eye from your subjects in my opinion. The suggestion of a square crop would result in some foreground loss & again, in my opinion, would be a loss I'd not be willing to accept. Too many rich tones & textures would be lost. I think my suggestion would make it a 6:7 format or thereabouts. I'm of the opinion that the crop should fit the photo, not the other way around. All said, this is an excellent photo which needs to be enlarged to be fully appreciated. The bigger the better in this case. Best, LM.

what a wonderful photograph.... as for the format, it would be interesting to remove the wire top right and crop it down tight to just above the horizon line to give it a completely different look - but that might just be muddying the clear water

 

as it is it has strong atmosphere and is quite memorable - makes me want to visit the Aran Islands