RUST AND BRINE (Please view larger).

Three years ago I posted two photos taken by my friend Elias Lambrou.

He was using an analogue hasselblad camera but alas film is becoming

scarce on the Island and film photo finishers are probably non existent.

He has now gone digital and he had to learn the new skills necessary for

his art. Previously he had five personal exhibitions at the Hilton in

Nicosia where he is a Chef and he financed his photographic needs from

those. He won several gold metals and other prizes in National and

International competitions and has the distinction of AFIAP. A couple of

days ago he sent me one of his first digital photos. I asked him if I can

put it in the folder, photographer friends, I have in my portfolio and he

kindly gave me permission to do so. I would like to share it with you and

I thank you very much for your comments.

This is a great shot! Beautiful colors and an excellent composition! I might however crop in just a little so that the ship was a little larger. Otherwise I think this is wonderful!

Hi Dimitris! For me the framing is perfect, we may see the rocks, the ship and the sun, everything with a very sharp detail and misty colours. Personally, it's always very sad to see a ship in this (lost) condition...Best regards.

 I like the way the natural strata of the rocks mimic the listing of the ship, it makes for a harmonious composition. The proportions are pleasing and the partially diffused light makes for a very aesthetically enjoyable scene.

Sincere Compliments!

 

Alf

Hi, Dimitris, the great perspective, crisp details, vivid contrast, nice light to composed such an artistic picture, lovely piece, my friend!    Best regards 7!

Thank you very much indeed for your comment, Elias favors the square format, being a hasselblad user for years but here he has used the native format of the camera and he has already cropped a little off the sky in order to balance the shot by putting the sun in it's center, more or less. Anyhow I am sure he might follow your suggestion and experiment further. Thanks again.

Thank you for your comment, is a wonderful subject is it not? It sets the mood for the wreck and I agree with you that it is sad to see the loss of a fine ship. All those man hours that went into making it....By the way you must be a man of the sea to express such a moving sentiment!.

Thanks again Joao.

It was only recently that I told my friend Elias to look at your work....I am sure he would be extremely proud to get a comment from you. Like you he is mainly a landscape photographer who uses a tripod for his work and like you he has got the D800 which is propably the best current camera for landcape photography. He was torn between the D800 and D800E, I am sure you recearched the choices and if you have any further advice, I would be very glad to hear it.

Back to the photo, he told me that the conditions were unique that afternoon as the sand from the Sahara diffused the light. There is ever such a small amount of flare on top of the sun but it doesn't bother me at all. 

Thanks again Alf, I am grateful indeed for your comment!.

So lovely to see you again my friend !. Thank you very much for your visit and the lovely and encouraging comment and I am sure all artists need encouragement, how ever accomplished they are....

Looking forward to some more of your posts.

Thanks once again Richard.

Very nice.  As others have noted, rusty rocks, rusty ship, works very well together.  The muted, steely blues of the water and sky are just enough to contrast the rusty oranges.  Great sky, beautiful sunset.  If you look close enough you can even see someone probably also lamenting the loss of what was once a proud vessel.  Very well done. 

A very nicely composed shot with beautiful lighting, Dimitris!

 

I am quite impressed by this shot. This is indeed a wonderful capture with beautiful light. However, there was a thing that bothered me, and for quite some time a could not say what it was. Meanwhile, I suspect that it is the fact that you defined the horizon to match the vertical center of the image.

Just out of curiosity: Do differently cropped versions of this photo exist?

 

Best regards,

Alex

This is a great photo. The composition is just perfect. Great detail and superb lighting. Congrats.

Thank you for your comment, it is appreciated very much!. Yes, there is a person standing there that also gives us the scale of the wreck. There is possibility, perhaps to give the picture an alternative title..'LAMENT'....-:). Thank you again Charles.

It is extremely nice of you to drop in..Thank you very much!

Thank you very much for your comment. I am not so sure I understand your question..As for alternative crops, here is one that might possibly work and possibly might answer your question. I personally like the original. 

Warm regards,

Dimitris.

Thank you very much my friend for your good words of encouragement. 

Warm regards,

Dimitris.

I think it is very nice that you have this folder in your Portfolio for your friend Dimitris. It sounds like he has become very accomplished with the Camera and processing. He had done very well considering this is one of his very FIRST DIGITAL IMAGES.

 

While he has to learn new skills with Digital, I think that the knowledge of the Camera and film skills is a very excellent background for Digital. I wish I had known more before I began Digital. (mind you I still study etc to learn more all the time). I love the colour, textures and 'light' in this image and he should be very proud of this first attempt. (I'd love to have taken an image like this NOW!!) You are a good friend Dimitris. He is very fortunate to have you in his life.

Kindest regards, Gail

I remember the terrible history of the Italian shipwreck of the Giglio Island of the Costa ship!

I am very glad to communicate again with you Dimitri ... after many professional duties and my long absence from Greece.

This is a really stunning seascape image of you friend, technically and aesthetically perfect from all points of view...!!!

Please, give him my warm congratulations...

Thank you very much for your lovely comment. In life we have friends and acquaintances. Elias is a friend. With his analogue photographic background where one had to do everything manually,( to this day he carries a light meter with him), he quickly learned the digital camera. As for the digital darkroom we, his friends helped him. 

On a lighter note though Gail I will tell you a joke;... The Pope visits Ireland and he asks to see this woman who had 20 sons. She is presented to him, he blesses her and says;...You are a good Catholic my child! 20 times 20 sons..bravo! To which she replies; No Holy Father...many times...nothing. 

I know that you are a man of the sea and it is natural to have that reaction every time you see a wreck. Fortunately in this one nobody died,  in the accident that you mentioned, which I also remember very well, over 30 people died...what a tragedy that was... 

So nice to hear from you again!. Thank you very much from your wonderful  comments!.

I received an email from Elias last night in which he expresses his gratitude for the reaction his photograph received. He said, among other things, that he is eternally grateful to all of you.

Warm regards,

Dimitris.

Thankyou for telling me about your very dear friend Dimitris. These are the ones we hold close and treasure!! (thankyou for the chuckle!!! ;-) !!!)

Beautiful  lighting and colors.  I like your original for composition etc.

Well done.