Shark, Kuramathi Island Maldives, Multi Award Winning Photograph

How many times you have seen a scene like this? I never did. That can be the sole reason for me to remember me this photo for a lonf time - like those NG classics! I like the vertical composistions mentioned by some - they are even more dramatic. But, this is all about absolute timing and composition decided in a split second - I would feel very happy if I would have taken this

Thanks for the "Jaws" background music, Mona. The theme did run through my mind earlier when I first saw the picture.

 

I think that a work of this sort sits astride the documentary-artistic divide, not to say that aesthetics and techinical prowess will ever be irrelevant. For some this is a work that could have demonstrated greater artistic merit. For others, it is more or less the simple recording of an event.

 

If this were a purely documentary photo, such as that of JFK being shot or the picture of a soldier falling in battle, then of course the immediacy of the historical moment would override all other considerations.

 

--Lannie

Mona, dear, when I said that the difficulty of the shot should play into our assessment of it, I was not talking about personal hardship exactly (though it sounds as if you might have had a bad weekend). I was speaking more to the range of possibilities that a given situation presents, which in some cases is more limited. And it doesn't sound as though Felix has "given up"; in fact, in his comment he mentioned going out to photograph more sharks. Maybe it's NoT the best photo of a shark he could do, possibly it's just the best he's done so far?

Jenny, I think that is a good point and kind of what I was saying. I hope he does find even a

better photo of the shark, we should always look to improve on what we did even if we think

it was perfect. I am not sure what you may have seen that made you think I was having a bad

weekend, but at tax time every day is a bad day!

Looks like a nurse shark to me. Which kind may have been answered already.

 

Nurses are often very shy. It's the only shark I've found while diving. They invariably take off very fast -- haven't gotten very close at all in maybe 10 encounters.

 

Good light, good sand, good fish. Working composition. Very serviceable shot.

 

/..

it is a winner, what's more to say?

MY FRIEND! WHOEVER YOU ARE. THAT WAS IMPECCABLE TIMING. I SCUBA DIVE BUT A SHOOT LIKE THAT, YOU CAN'T GET THAT UNDERWATER PERIOD.....THAT'S ALL THIS CAT'S GOT TO SAY. BRAVO!

Well, yes, it is a winner, we can see the awards listed in the caption. To you, that's the end of the story -- to some of us, it's just the beginning.

 

"Zee leetle feeshees zeem to zweem arond zee rouge intrudair almost as though zay were being repelled by some meesterious, unzeen force."

Great shot, Felix. I admire your work. Quick question for you: when you say it took you two hours to line up this shot, does this mean that the shark and the school of fish stayed around that long for you to shoot???

Yes, a wonder of nature nicely caught in a dynamic composition. Not the greatest 'photograph' ever as a POW, but doesn't need to be as the drama is inherent in the evident tension in the picture and the roles the protagonists are playing.

 

So lucky to see this in such clear water and so close...I have only seen it from sea cliffs eg when the big fish school under Cape Byron drawing the whalers in. What is the wonder is how 'slow motion' it all seems. Nothing like Jaws.

 

Whether it is cows in the paddock that watch you, then jump away if you walk too close, gazelle actually moving closer to a cheetah sometimes when alert or fish just being outside the range (they hope) of the shark, there is an invisible line of danger for all animals. Cross it and they move, not before.

 

This is a 'text book' shot and I mean that in a complimentary way.

Obviously a nice shot, but personally I don't find it as aesthetically interesting as most of the folks here do. I'm a bit puzzled by the incredible response to it. People seem fascinated by sharks, I suppose. Bradd

Georgeous colour, lovely clarity, extremely interesting perspective - just love it :-), oh man how can you just not love it!

Well, uh, we seem to have a bi-modal distribution of responses here. People love it or hate it. There's nothing much in between. Reminds me of the movie "Jaws." I can't stand it because of all the exaggerations and inaccuracies. A friend of mine watches it twice a week.

 

I still like it and wish that I could have taken it. Vince would have either hooked or speared the darned shark rather than shoot it. One thing I like about this site is that there is truly a diversity of opinion, and the photos on the PoW forum do seem to be getting better. Lots of good animal shots are being posted, but this has got to be among the best, in my opinion. On top of that, we almost got a cat fight free of charge, thanks to Mona and Jenny. Who could ask for more for a measly $25/year?

 

I wonder what the Elves will pull up from the briny deep this week.

 

--Lannie

First off, I tried to read the entire thread, but I got bored, so I apologize if I am repeating anything already said above.

 

Critiquing a very small compressed "web image" is difficult. With this said, I do find this image visually pleasing. The oblong circular pattern created by the smaller fish helps to imply "movement" to me, not "static" non-motion. I see obvious movement from bottom left to upper right. I find myself anticipating the shark's next movement. So, I do not agree that this image lacks movement.

 

I like the random patterns of the water & light beneath the shark & fish. These patterns help to "imply" depth, so I do not find the image flat. I particularly like the vertical pattern of the fish on the lower right, it contrasts well with the diagonal implied upward, forward movement of the shark. Thus, I would not flip or rotate the image.

 

The tonal range of the image is super, lots of definition in the mid-tones, accented by light & shadow.

 

I think this image implies a "cautious tolerance". I get the impression the school of fish are gently, but cautiously tolerating the shark's intrusion. As evidenced by the fact that the fish are circling the shark & not swimming off furiously in frightened panic. One could, if they liked, interpret this into life as "A shark in our midst". The "big dog" invading the masses.

 

My personal opinion as to the overall impression of the image, I like the feeling it creates, "cautious tolerance". I would reserve my technical comments until I could actually view a much larger image or the image in print.

It's a fantastic photo.

 

Is it fine art? No, probably not. But that shouldn't distract from the fact that it is a fine photo and probably a near perfect example of photographing that style and subject.

 

I would have preferred to see a slightly more diagonal composition but I love the flowing curves of the shark and of the fish sweeping out of it's way. Some have said they'd like to see a blur of speed, but in this situation I doubt the shark is attacking - it's just swimming and the school of fish are moving out of the way. There's no speed to show here.

 

It's a very tricky thing to expose and colour is a bit subjective here too. I think that it's a fantastic job and doesn't deserve even half of the criticism that it's received. And BTW, of course it's low res. There is copyright and KB's to consider after-all.

Makes me wonder (again) what Van Gogh's contemporaries were really saying, discussing, arguing about his work. I like all the images posted so far, and some of the variations are better than the original. But, I might change my mind next week, or 100 years from now. I do, however, really applaud the technical aspects of this discussion above, as well as the truly artistic imput that goes along with it (whatever that means).

Finally I had a chance to look at most of the posts. I like to thank the ones of you who

engaged on both sides. I enjoyed it for the most part... well sometimes it made me a bit

smile what people would like to change in a photograph.

 

I understand that there are many shades of photography: Some guys shoot only cars,

others only birds...some like the artistic nudes and some have to be in the middle of wars

with bullets flying around their heads. But in each field there are interesting pictures to

take or to create.

 

Personally, I love the richness of travelling...always did and i feel blessed that its now my

profession to show people who dont have the chance to go out and about what they could

experience if they would get up and leave their tv's for a while or those who did to remind

them at their past experiences.

 

Its just to say: Hey, the world is an interesting place, lets have our own view on it!

 

I'm tired of all the images in news and newspapers showing dead, drama, action and so

on...making everyone worried and suggesting thats whats happing all the time. We are all

born to die.. so whats the big deal about it?Is that really news worthy all the time? Its the

way to go about our journey..and that is for the most part silent and not loud.

 

Coming back to the shark.. I like the fact that there is no imediate action and only tension

or natural respect. Its much more natural and beautiful i feel then seeing close ups of his

unbrushed teeth ;-).

"There's an amazing website that makes oil painting from photo:

www.paintyourlife.com

 

It turns your picture to painting. There are beautiful samples online.

 

You only need to pay a 20% down payment and after a week you can see your own oil portrait online.

 

You can then ask for modifications if you want. I''ve ordered a painting for my wife for our anniversary and she just loved it."

Wonderful image !

Amazing shot!!!

 

Breath-taking.

I think what makes this photo great is the story it tells. All the little fish are aware of the shark and are trying not to get eaten. This pattern is also repeated throughout nature. You can see it in Africa when a lion walks by a herd of Zebras. The zebras don't run, but they give the lion just enough space -- just in case.
Great photo Felix.

Super! Very nice. Exellent. My congratulations.

Wow, it looks so amazing! Thanks for posting the photograph of the week.Very natural and attractive.

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