Blue Boat

It's not something I can pinpoint any more than I can pinpoint why a certain person looks attractive to me or why a food tastes good or why I enjoy a specific smell. It's just the way it is. By the same token, that person, food, or smell may not appeal to someone else. We all have a natural sense of what appeals to us, and it differs. When I first saw the photo, the muted colors of the sky and water in contrast to the starker color of the boat caused a pleasant sensory response. Upon closer inspection, I agree with some of the criticisms others have made, but if I scroll down so the picture is not visible then back up to where it is, it still makes me think 'wow.'

In short, I can't offer any deep analysis. I simply like it because I do.

I happened to look and comment in Photo Critique Forum. Admired a new boat on a lake photo submitted by Sarah McNulty ,another member. An example I suggest of what most of us would call naturalistic / grounded in reality/ what we expect and look for in the subject of boat and water..no question of very much after treatment.( I could be wrong, no photo is puritanically untreated anymore) . I point to this one not to force a s comparison of better or worse or to knock the concept of Blue Boat. For the linked " Halford "" 'sca[e, there is more to grab onto and more grounded in the world of conventional sea' faring 'scapes . Agree that "The Blue Boat" is spare by comparison. And now I look deeper and larger, the long length of rising clouded mist rising in water ahead of Blue Boat rising as clouds of haze could have been a stronger element and added to the feeling I feel which would be nice if more prominent. Among other wishes, - to develop the theme and the concept. (Which may be unfair since it is a hope and wish for what may not be achievable..but we are here as I understand to do a little slicing and dicing or no discussion, no better salad ingredients , no more delectable salad...so one can look over the cook so to speak.. pardon the food refs, ah must be supper time ahead:-0.)

I call Blue Boat a dreamscape and interesting and striking in its way. "Halford" is a more traditional and easily digestible boat 'scape with a nice water and reflection feeling. One I can 'grab onto' more easily and I like that kind most of the time for that reason. And a pretty photo of the painterly style we get used to. Intent was clearer. Not misty nor mystical. Maybe not prompting much controversy however. Taste wanders lately. Or I am getting my sea legs back :-) Thanks.

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=18017164

This photo got Highly Commended on a International Competition.
So I would not change a thing.

The things that work for me are the photo's simplicity (which is a quality that sometimes can be great and othertimes banal) and the chromatic tension created by the blue and orange elements.

The incoherence of the detailed boat and its setting is not something I find very attractive, but probably that is because I prefer stunning images that do not have a pasted together quality. This would work well I think as a pretty and forceful image in advertising or on a book cover where a certain effect may be sought. Some of the other images of the author (boats on the Thames. etc.) seem better constructed, more seamless and aesthetically effective. Apart from the initial grab this picture makes (it is hard to overlook, whatever you feel about it) that impression dissipates as I try to find something more meaningful or convincing.

The author is a competent photographer of straight, uncomposited or less Photoshopped images (wildlife and people images in his portfolio). I would suggest that he apply that experience to exploring landscapes more fully and seeking in them a more subtle richness that might evoke more emotional response.

Sunset like a fire in the woods and a boat ready to bring us in safe.
I like this picture and the mood.
Alberto

Wonderful colours, very serene.

Print it and hang it up!