Cross Currents at a Low Tide

Mr H!  Wow, where do I begin.   This thumbnail popped up in my workspace that shows photos of people I follow.  Immediately struck by it. 

Why?  First it was the tones and the so, so pleasing balance of it.  That setting sun, perfectly placed not only between the figures of the two women, but also placed -- as if meant to be -- in a gap between two breaking waves.

Then there is the balance and diagonal between the figures of the two women.  You know when you look at a photo and the placement of elements just "feels" right?  And in a moment like this, not posed or pre-arranged, the honesty of the placement in that moment strikes me even more.  Serendipity squared.

Tactile.  The woman in the foreground right, her left hand ever so delicately draped into the water with the foam of preceding waves patterned around her.  It imparts such a strong sense of touch.  

The lights and shadows -- I love the light, the glow, against the water around the shadow of the woman.  She is nearly a silhouette, yet there is enough detail in the shadows to allow us to see that she is nude.  Though possessed of an attractive figure (to my eye), her nudity lends more to the tactile element of this photo (one can almost feel the surging current move past her legs) than it does to any sexual titillation.  

The two diagonals, between the two women, and of the woman's gaze out across the angle of light toward the setting sun, is also nice.  

As I look at this, I find that my eye keeps being drawn to the water and foam swirls glowing in the foreground.  It's like I want to place my hand flat upon the the surface and feel both the water and, what seems to be it's warmth.  Not necessarily tropical bathtub temperature warmth, but the warmth of a more northern latitude ocean at the end of a summer's day when the temperature surprises with it's gentleness.

Beautiful work my friend.

This is one of the few, very few photographs that make me speechless. 

Steve's to the point and tasteful  comment was underneath when I had noted this image.

I can perhaps add that I feel this image antedates photography. Its photographer may not be Mr H., by the way. That must be an anonymous photographer made of all our shared memories, fantasies and experiences since the time of Adam&Eve. 

:--> !

A life affirming image Carlos.  Good for the soul . . .

Best, David

After Steve put it so well in words (and I agree word by word), I can only emphasise the keyword of it.

Wow.

Very nice.

Pure.  Basic.  Real.

I appreciate how you always inspire. ~~~~~~~~~~~L

One of your best photos , Carlos! 

Right into my favorites :)

Abraço,

Mário

A brilliant work, Carlos! Great!

very good shot and bw.congrats

A sunset on the sea, naked women, and you with a camera in your hands. Such a lethal mixture, the final result could only be one. Excellent.

I've been watching at this photo for a long time, trying to get why is so simple, so appealing, and so enigmatic at the same time. Believe me, I couldn't understand the mystery. I must be back, then.