Perch Rock (Larger view available)

Hi Alf, I'm late to this image but certainly glad to see it. IMHO this is one of the nicest reflective lighthouse shots I've seen. The composition is spot on and the colors are warm and inviting. This lighthouse is really out there in the water and I imagine things could get pretty rough at times of bad weather. Which is why I'm late to this image. Had no power for 11 days and no internet even longer. But it's good to be back and checking out great images like this. Take care my friend.

Best,

Holger

Wow! 11 days without power! I bet there are not too many people that have experienced that!  My wife has just returned from visiting relatives in New Jersey, but they live in Lawrenceville and consequently there wasn't nearly as much devastation as there was near the coast.  I'm really pleased to hear you are safe and well, and back with us to share your views. 

Point & Shoot cameras have come a long way, but they still have their limitations and don't compare favourabley against a DSLR, however, with technology advancing at the current rate, it isn't going to be long before they start to equal the DSLRs.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Holger, much appreciated!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

Hi Alf - Nice enough image in the standard size, but in the large size-WOW-Stunn ng, a visual pleasure to view. Alf , it seems I keep saying the same thoughts & you must think I have a one track mind. But, you are a very talented photographer & belong to a small elite group.. Anyway, if there is one thing I can all day is watch waves braking & flowing on shore,especially small waves & the slower moving water is very peaceful & relaxing to sit back & enjoy.. Best Regards-Ross

This shot is the best in your three shot set, with strong composition, very nice lower half part and a weak sky with uncontrolled light and unacceptable noise. Colors in lower half are more than good with nice details and attractive reflection. 

My best regards,

Hamid.

Sincere thanks for your very generous comments and most encouraging feedback!

I think the key to this one, was the timing. Like the majority of my photographs, it is the softer light of dawn or in this case dusk that provides the richer colour. I just happened to be on the beach taking the dog for a walk and noticed the reflections in the wet sand.  The P & S was in my pocket at the time.

I too love the sound and visual attraction of watching the ebb and flow of the tide, i have stayed in tiny cottages before now, and done nothing but visit the beach outside the front door for days on end, and never once considered it monotonous.

Cheers Ross & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

HAMID

 

This shot appears to be the most popular of the three and I presume thats because of the colour and general appeal of the scene.

I'm not sure about your analogy of a "weak sky" as there appears to be enough colour, definition and variation of light contained therein. But "uncontrolled light" yes of course, using the cameras automatic settings as I did, the only control would be what the cameras digital brain has been programmed to control.  But I would agree about the noise.  If I had processed it through usual work flow practice, it would have been removed, but I was keen to show the image how it came out of the camera.  Similarly if I was going to get it printed I would remove the noise. As it is, I'm not sure the quality of these images would stand up to a decent sized enlargement or print.

Sincere thanks for your thoughtful comments and feedback, much appreciated!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

Hi Alf,

I suggest that Samsung contact you to do advertising for them !

This is a pleasing image to view.

It accomplishes about as much as any Point and Shoot camera can do.

Great presentation my friend.

Best Regards, Mike

Very good composition, with the perfect reflection, nice diagonal lines, good clouds.  Nice lighting, too.  Thanks for your warm encouragement.  Best Regards,

This is a beauty, especially at the bigger size.I like the atmospher the diagonal/triangle  created by the clouds reflections and waves,where the llight in general,and light house are in the right place on the frame. Very warm , well executed composition!

Make no apologies for using a P&S.  I use one extensively myself and have produced many very satisfying images with it.  For web sized images, or for modest sized prints, it's difficult, if not impossible for the average photo enthusiast to tell the difference between the P&S images and the higher end DSLR's (or equiv).  I'd say that interesting lighting is the more important element in producing fine images and you have that here in spades. Dror's comment is a valid one and his crop is fine as well though your wide viewed original, giving a better sense of place, gets my vote.  Icing on the cake, of course, is the foreground reflections.  Always a treat to view your latest.  Best, LM.

Many Thanks for your very generous comments.

I think the light was critical to the image. It was approx 10 - 15 miinutes before the sun would dissapear, so the light was strong enough to ensure a sharp image, but no so bright as to cause major problems.  Just 10 minutes earlier the sun was shining directly on the lighthouse, and the highlights were burned out on the shots I took.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

WANGHAN

 

Many thanks for warm encouragement too! 

I was very fortunate with the light and the clouds, they just came together at the right time.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

PNINA

 

Sincere Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback.

I love lighthouses, they do seem such a photogenic subject, and I guess I caught this one at just the right time of the evening before the sun went down.  I'm glad you liked it too.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

LEN

 

Always good to hear from you.

I have long admired some of the amazing shots you have captured with a P & S , in fact you are amongst quite a few of the photographers that have inspired me to try one myself.  I had been pondering the possibilities of a purchase for long enough, when quite unexpectly I won this one in a competition.

Dror has a excellent eye for a photograph and I have to agree with his analysis, but I just prefer landscape shaped images.

The other thing that amazes me about these cameras is the sharpness. Now bear in mind that I have huge hands and this tiny almost weightless thing is being waved about in my huge mitt with me viewing the rear screen trying to compose the shot, I think its nothing short of a miracle that the images come out so sharp : - )

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback Len.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

Lovely scene, well capture!  A very slight different version that came to mind.  Cheers!

Many Thanks!

Yes, the slightly tighter crop with the 50 / 50 split that you have suggested works well too!

Best Regards

 

Alf

Hi Alf. It just goes to prove that you can in invest in the very best camera equipment but it doesn't necessarily make you a better photographer! Well done with this shot. The composition is spot on per usual and the lighting, tones and reflections are wonderful! I can honestly say at the moment that I love my little Panasonic G3 and some of my better early shots were taken with a P & S. Thanks for showing people that great images can be taken fairly inexpensively with a Point and shoot camera!

Best wishes. Sarah.

This image proves that the camera simply is an instrumentality to be wielded by a creative and skilled mind.  Well done!

My best,

michael

Many Thanks for your kind comments!

 

You have raised a good point that arises from using a simple P & S. And that is, the current availability of photography to all.

I suppose at one time photography was very much an art, science or pastime confined to the more well heeled members of society, whereas these days even the most basic of phones are capable of taking very impressive images.

The image quality does start to tell of course with the Samsung, when it comes to enlargement prints.

But some of the images you have posted with the G3 are remarkable!

Cheers Sarah!

 

Alf

 

MICHAEL

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful comments, much appreciated!

I suppose like all tools, a camera has to be used correctly in order for it to yield acceptable results. Todays technology makes the job a lot easier, but the basics still need to be applied.

Cheers Michael!

 

Alf

Very impressive what you got out a simple P&S camera, Alf. I agree with others that it shows your skillful hand can work many wonders. I like the above result best from your P&S offerings in terms of clarity and overall presentation.  (together with "The Morning Post", mostly because of its striking graphic impact) 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words.

I am genuinely surprised at the amount of attention this image recieved, not least because it was a snap shot taken whilst walking the dog. But I was fortunate that the light was just right.

But P & S cameras have come a long way and I think the compact end of the market is where we will see some amazing advances within the next couple of years.  In fact Sony have just introduced a full frame compact camera ( RX 1)

Personally though whenever possible I prefer to carry the weight and bulk of the DSLR, it means I can hold it steady and my fingers can reach all the buttons : - )

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

Oh, what a lovely, shimmering world you evoke, bringing the beauty of the towering afternoon clods down to the wet sand in even richer tones that they appear above. One of your most impressive beachscapes ad one that is guaranteed to evoke a sense of longing in the hearts of the viewer.

It was all about the dog wanting to go for a walk at that particular time.

Absent was the usual careful planning and timing, absent was the DSLR and the half ton of lenses. Just me, the dog and a P & S in my pocket. 

I am quite surprised at the enthusiastic response to this image, but pleasantly surprised! 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words Jack! 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Oh, this is beautiful! You are so fortunate to be able to walk your dog here! I am so jealous! Lovely shot with beautiful color and light! Thank you for sharing. :)

I am very fortunate indeed!  This place is about 20 mins drive from where I live, and there are many miles of coastline available to me within an hours drive.

I was lucky that dog walking time coincided with late afternoon and the low sun added warmth and colour to the scene.

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful comments!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

Alf, 

This is one of my favorites.  It is especially impressive in that there is no post-processing.  I am probably one of your  biggest fans especially concerning landscapes.

Cheers...

Jerry

 

Hi Jerry

 

Good to hear from you I hope you are keeping well!

I have to say I was quite impressed with what came out of the little P & S camera myself.  They are a handy thing to carry around in a pocket, but I still find them a bit fiddly for my big hands : - )

Many Thanks Jerry & Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

This is absolutely gorgeous, Alf! I love the magical light and colors.  Excellent composition and reflections. Love this!!

Its very gratifying to read you love this one, I think the future is smaller cameras, but I don't think my hands will evolve in time to handle the tiny menu's.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf