Sea Ballet

this is a re-upload. i was forced to delete my first upload because

this spirited & innocent little picture received an uncivil &

unnecessarily cruel critique that was heartbreaking to me.

so, it's catching another wave. i'm no expert, yet i hope someone

enjoys the scene.

Hi Donna. I like this image. It's nicely mysterious. Is this a surfer having fun, or a problem? A couple of technical things: the dead center composition is a little static; the foreground isn't necessary and the horizon's crooked. Nit-picky, sure, but here's an idea for correction. Cheers. 

cheers back at you, Steve; your suggestion is the perfect response of a seasoned nature photographer. and you've uplifted my bruised heart by giving me your kind advice. your nature photography is gorgeous and perfect, and i'll always watch it for that reason and for your gentle help. i know, i know... all my pictures are abstracts about mystery and poetry and emotions; yet you're exactly true, and  although i can hardly think straight i might have dignified the horizon with straightness, and that i might've not plopped the figure in static dead center is a great suggestion to remember since centering isn't much of an intent in my pictures anyway because i believe in movement, and the curl in the foreground is because i just wanted another curl in the scene to roughen up what wasn't a particularly kicking surf. it was cold and very windy and the surf was rough enough, but these guys were seasoned surfers, and yet they were going down a lot. this surfer in this moment seemed to me to be having some difficulty and some fun, hence the playful title. he looked so cool! it was like a dramatic dance! thanks so much Steve, you've made my day. ;-} dp

Donna,

When I taught photography to high school students I always had a day of the week when they exhibited their work and everybody discussed each other's contributions.  One of our standard techniques was to look for "the picture within a picture."  We found that often our first impression and composition in photo making contained a germ of content that was stronger and more to the point of the story than the original image was telling. Many of my students became very good at this and I have applied it to my own work ever since.

I love that fellow in the surf, in the turmoil of waves and motion.  Here is my contribution to you: a picture within your picture.

Cheers,

Jerry

i appreciate the tutorial, Jerry, truly i do. your exercise is a wonderful way to focus the mind as well as the lens. dancing surfer guy, that's my picture within a picture. your treatment really rocks like a poster! i truly luv this picture and thank both of you gentlemen ever so much for giving a hoot about it. cheers back at you. see ya. ;-} dp

Donna, I like the way the surfer8?) is dancing in the wave. That is probably what it feels like to be a surfer. I have taken shots of surfers and have felt happy with ones that came out clear and sharp, but soon got tired of looking at them. Yours has a certain mystery to it which holds the attention.

Nice shot Donna, well done!

Hi Donna,

I'm looking at this image from the eye of a surfer that has been in the Maytag like he is more times then I care to count.  Judging from his positioning I'm guessing he was on his back about 2 seconds after you got this shot. 

I think the picture is outstanding as it stands.  It shows that every day on the water with a board under your feet is not pristine curls with perfect tubes but sometimes the Mix Master wins with the water you want just a few feet in front of you on the other side of the falls.

Great image!

Regards

Nice moment you captured with a fine timing. Lovely presentation in B/W. Like it. All the best. Regards.

Interesting picture you have put out. I also learned a lot by reading the comments from Steve and Jerry. Thank you all. This is how we get better.

Sidsel

how it feels to be out there when its beautiful and dangerous is what it meant to me also, Adrienne; the exhileration; thank you for pointing that out.

Glad you understand his demise, Howard. His falls were, dare i say, as cool and impressive as his nice rides!

Kaushik, definitely yah about the timing. this is what i was trying hard for, and i got it, thanks to the surfer gods i guess. ;-}

hey, Cat; welcome aboard!

hey Sidsel! i know you luv the sea. so glad you caught this wave!! you'd luv steve and jerry's nature work.

;-} 

I categorize this one as an spontaneous action shot where you as photographer have little or no control over the situation. The only question should be whether or not you made the best out of your situation. In my opinion yes, because the surfer as major point of interest jumps out,allows myself to 'enjoy' the message within the image and makes the execution seondary to my interest. The final presentation of course is a question of personal choice but I don't see elements that do not work.( ok, the tilted horizon maybe)Compliments!

merci, dear El, for perfectly explaining this picture's entire existence from shutter to critique. ;-} dp

Me like jerry mood.

Nice shot, I like how the wave is catched, half-half

I agree that the horizon must be corrected