Mr Crabtree goes fishing (Click for larger view)

There used to be a fishing magazine I read eagerly as a youngster, and it

had one of those cartoon strips that set about telling the tales of Mr

Crabtree and his fishing adventures. I took one look at this guy in the boat

and immediately it brought back memories, hence the title.

 

I took a few more shots after this, but the fine mist was saturating

everything ...including my camera. Your thoughts and comments are

always appreciated. Thank You!

Hi Alf,

It is great to be able to recall fond memories and then make a very scenic capture like this to keep such memories alive.

Your image also allows me to recall my early teen years, when my Dad and I would row a boat out in a very secluded lake up in the mountains to fish for Great Northern Pike.  Those were very happy times I will remember forever.  

This is a well shot image my friend.

Best Regards, mike

 

I finally figured out why I love these images so much.  The mist/fog you have in so many of your images almost looks like a stage with the scrim curtain pulled down over, as they do in a dream-like scene of a stage play.  This is a lovely and well balanced image, and it evokes a feeling of peace and calm with a sense of nostalgia and reverie.  Just beautiful!

Alf - I really love this shot. The softness of the scene, the autumn colors  and then having the boat adds a really nice touch. I am also attracted to the luminescent  green which acts as a conduit to the the building on the left.  I seem to remember another shot you took in this area or one similar and i liked that one very much also. If memory serves me right the colors were even more pastel than this one.   It is my hope that I can find something to suggest but not in this case.

 

It is time to take a sip of a VSOP cognac to celebrate this accomplishment.

 

A very interesting point on this image is that the reflection of a tree in the back comes exactly in line with the man and his fishing rod, delevering the illusion that his is fishing using a tree....Beyond this observasion, I think that this one is a true masterpiece Alf. It conveys peace, harmony and nostalgia. All the elements of this fine composition are placed just in the right position and the amazing natural colors slightly blended by the mist, speak to the viewer's soul right away. My best compliments!

 

What a glorious setting, Alf--and you have captured it perfectly.

 

--Lannie

A really beautiful result with very nice lighting, Alf!

 

Painterly mist selectively highlighting the fisherman - brilliant work, Alf.

Hi Alf,

  Wow...beautiful magical scene with amazing colors, details & reflection.  Take care, Patsy

Alf, this is a masterpiece!  The setting, clarity, colors, and subject make this a classic.  Aloha.

There are times when less is more, in that the more I would praise this wonderful quiet, idillic photograph, the more I would take away of just the impression and letting all of it let sink in. So I leave it there, with less words.

DG

This time due to the closer approach the forest in autumn shows its beauty and the gorgeous architecture too! Only the main subject is the boat, quite suitable for the motif! Bravo, Alf!

 

Best regards

 

PDE

 

P.S. Only the color of the frame I don't agree with!

What a beautiful landscape you show us here, Alf.  The fog adds a nostalgic and mysterious feeling that I love.  I think the green frame does not do justice to the picture. (just my humble opinion).  A great image of a great photographer.

Kind regards,

Rosario.

Wonderful image. It is perfect for me (full marks), and it goes to my favourites.

 

But I don't like the green frame, I would make it without a frame.

 

Well done

 

Ben

The picture conveys England to me at its most attractive.

Feels like it could have been taken today, yesterday, or even in the early 19th century (time of  romantic literature… Jane Austen…)

Love the haze and soft-pastel colors.

The focus on the (dark) little fishing boat with Mr. Crabtree works just right… 

(But yes, please, Alf, the green border does spoil the lovely mood & seems to cheapen the content somewhat for me as well... :-)

Many thanks for your thoughts and kind words.

 

It is very gratifying to know that you could also dwell for a moment and recall fond memories whilst looking at this image.

 

Best Regards my friend! 

 

Alf 

 

CHRISTAL 

 

I had a written communication with another photographer on another site who complained "I have just spent two weeks in Devon and I couldn't get a decent photo because of the fog"  I explained that I would have swapped 2 weeks of bright sunshine any time for 2 weeks of glorious moody misty fog......he still didn't get it.  But it is so very rewarding to read comments like yours where you see what I am seeing and feeling the same about the vision too! 

Sincere Thanks! 

 

Alf 

 

TONY 

 

It may have been a shot I took previous to this where another boat entered the scene from the left. But the light was changing swiftly, mostly due to the mist getting thicker and the available light noticeably diminishing.   My sincere and heartfelt thanks for your thoughts and comments.  I don't know about Cognac though,  but I will join you with a beer! 

 

Cheers Tony! 

 

Alf 

 

YANNIS 

 

Yes, I did notice the position of the tree, although not until a lot later after I had posted the image. I thought it looked like a cross as it intersects the boat, but that was just my impression. 

It is a remarkable place, The Lake District, you can't wander very far before seeing another picture.  I fear I must be a traffic hazard because I involuntary slow down to look whilst driving. 

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback and kind words! 

 

Alf 

 

LANNIE 

 

Some people talk about the ideal weather for photography, sometimes it seems the less ideal the weather the better the photograph......but then it all hangs on the individual's definition of "ideal" 

Sincere Thanks Lannie! 

 

Alf 

 

RUUD 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

WAYNE 

 

The technique I used was to place the focus point on the boat and take the shot with a reasonably high shutter speed.  It seemed to give a lot of definition to the boat and the background faded nicely with the mist. 

 

Sincere Thanks Wayne! 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

I like that you used the word "magical" to describe it, it kind of sums up how it was for me! 

Many Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf 

 

DOMINICK 

 

Sometimes all the elements contrive to make an image fail. water on the lens, glare of the sun, or an unfortunate reflection. And sometimes the opposite is true, when nature provides a setting that seems heaven sent!  I was most fortunate!

Thank you so much! 

 

Alf 

 

DANIEL 

 

Impressions are like dreams, fleeting and transient, It is very gratifying to know that you shared this one! 

Sincere Thanks! 

 

Alf 

 

PIERRE 

 

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback and most encouraging comments. Unlike yourself Pierre I am a mere novice at adding bits and pieces and that includes frames : - ) 

That's my excuse ! 

Kind Regards 

 

Alf 

 

ROSARIO 

 

I was very fortunate. I follow the weather forecast on the eve of every photo expedition and deliberately seek out fog and mist. But in this case the location I first arrived at was devoid of all fog and the light was very poor too. I ventured another 20 mile to this location and as I got here I could see the fog rolling down the mountain sides.......it was great whilst it lasted (About 90 minutes) but after that the rains came. 

I am just venturing into experiments with frames, I have very little experience with this aspect of presentation, so its good to get feedback on what does and doesn't work.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

BEN 

 

I am very honoured that you consider this a favourite! 

And it would seem that the green frame isn't very popular, I'm glad I got some feedback though, it really does help! 

 

Sincere Thanks 

 

Alf 

 

MARJOLEIN

 

I think you are right it does seem to have that timeless elegance, I think that's what reminded me of the old comic strip I used to read as a boy. 

I hear what you are saying about the frame, and yes it is all a bit new and experimental for me. Very useful to know when something does or doesn't work and I can make adjustments to suit. 

It is very heartening to read that despite the nasty frame, the image itself was appealing to you.  

 

Sincere Thanks Marjolein

 

Alf 

 

 

 

I would forget to put my bait in the water, and maybe even take a picture, if I were present at this beautiful setting.  Fantastic image and perfectly presented, well, with the exception of the frame but I won't beat that horse.  You know, this would make a superb oil painting...  Mike

Beautiful picture! My dad was a very devoted fisherman - one of those that enjoyed it all seasons.I know how Mr. Grabtree feels - such a wonderful place to be! Warm regards, Tamara

I use the same excuse when I forget to change my ISO, put a memory card in the camera, or my favourite lately, forget to change from bracketing mode .......I too blame the awe inspiring scenery and flatly refuse to admit I'm going senile : - ) 

Ahh yes the frame, its all new to me and I had to start somewhere ...long way to go it would seem.  Interesting comment about oil painting, I wonder if this would lend itself to one of those digital textures.

 

Sincere Thanks Mike! 

 

Alf 

 

TAMARA 

 

Before photography took hold of me I would spend a lot of time fishing.  Sub zero temperatures mean't nothing and I guess in a way it was a great introduction to the times when the light and beauty of the planet can be seen at its very best.........dawn!

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words Tamara.

 

Warm Regards 

 

Alf 

Hi Alf

 

Another breathtaking composition of complete and utter serenity and beauty Alf!.

 

 You have such a raw talent for capturing such enticing images, that draw the viewer into the striking artistry of the scene, evoking emotions and memories, thoughts and feelings.  

 

I love everything about this image, from the foggy/misty veil, the soft subtle reflection, to the solitary fisherman in his boat.  The soft hued colours create an air of peace and calm.....

 I think aesthetics are paramount in photography and this image ticks every box aesthetically.

 

This is going in my favorites!  Superb work Alf and thank you for sharing :)

 

Warmest regards

Jacqueline

Many Thanks for your most heart warming comments! 

I consider a response such as the one you have written a measure of some success when it conveys such empathy with the image. 

Suffice to say, it makes it all worthwhile! 

Thanks again Jacqueline and Warmest Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

I really like the composition and the scene you selected here!...Special tones and beautiful colors.

Take care,my friend! 

Like your composition with the well balanced view.  Nice and natrual color and lighting.  Sharp details show the peaceful mood.  All in a dream of the a wonder place.  Best Regards,

Hi Alf, This one is nice, too, but personally I prefer "DRIZZLE", mostly because I think the boat could've been positioned slightly better here. (Of course this a purely hypothetical statement, since you weren't paddling and taking photographs at the same time...)

 

But why do I write this review here instead of commenting on DRIZZLE in the first place? Well ... because I wanted to ask you not to use green frames again. :-)

 

Have a nice weekend!

Alex

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

WANGHAN 

 

I am getting quite addicted to dreamy misty scenery, I watch the weather forecasts for such conditions and can't conceal my excitement when its announced! 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf

 

ALEX 

 

I think the boat in the "Drizzle" image was better positioned due to the distance it was from the far bank.  It's what can be wished for but seldom controlled.  I was wading actually, courtesy of my neoprene wellies : - ) but the lake shelves off sharply so it's only possible to wade in the margins.  The green frame doesn't seem popular.........is it because it's a frame....or because it's green ........I like green : - ) 

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and great feedback! 

 

You have a great weekend too Alex! 

 

Alf