Marsh Mellow (Click for larger view)

I haven't had a lot of time for getting out with my camera, or contributing

much on PN. However I did find this one amongst some old files and

wondered why I never posted it before. Maybe I wasn't sure about the

muddy foreground. Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated

Thank You.

Alf I too wonder why you didn't post this. I think the fg is interesting and the scene is beautiful. I'm guessing the title refers to the gf lighter color of the fg dry mud. The boats coming or going add a little life to this fine landscape image.

Best Always,

Holger

Hi Alf,

You probably got to many good shots to pick from.

All The Best

Gary

Great mood of sunset or after it! Very good technical quality and wonderful colors and texture in the foreground! Only one thing I would remark about, the inscription should be in the bottom and black! This way it distracts!

 

Best regards, Alf!

 

PDE

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful scene with wonderful colors, details & lighting.  Take care, Patsy

Hi Alf!

The foregroud details are interesting and You have chosen the composition well.

Like Holger, . . . I too am surprised that at one time, for whatever reason, you may have had second thoughts about posting this one!

I suppose, and, I do sometimes, think a "review of the old stuff" is time well spent!

 

In my "non expertise" photographic opinion, the foreground here is what makes this image exceptional!

Not only the dried and flaking mud but, that winding erosion flow certainly leads the eye very nicely down to the canal/estuary. Then I notice the way the light is falling upon the taller grasses, then to the peaceful looking horizon. All in all, a very beautiful and serene scene!

Nice landscape!

 

Regards always,

Jim j.

 

A very nicely composed beautiful result, Alf!

 

Thank you so much for your encouraging words!

I think sometimes my perceptions change with time. I also think my processing skills improve.......well I hope so : - ) 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

GARY 

 

I certainly have a lot of shots to choose from, but good ones? Well a lot depends on my mood and how critical I am about my own work, sometimes I see potential later.

Many Thanks Gary! 

 

Alf 

 

PIERRE 

 

I agree with you about the inscription, it's bloody annoying! But easilly rectified : - ) 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and kind words! 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful comments, much appreciated! 

 

Alf 

 

JUHA 

 

Thank you so much! 

 

I did give a great deal of thought to the composition, but still wasn't sure if the muddy aspect would be appealing.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JIM 

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful comments, much appreciated! 

I am most critical of my own work to the extent that a lot of it never gets to see the light of day. But I'm sure that is true of a lot of photographers.  But an occasional rummage in the archives can sometimes yield results : - ) 

I'm really pleased you found the foreground mud and eroded channel attractive features, as they are the bits I wasn't too sure about. 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

RUUD 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

Beautifully natural, no pretense, no enhancement, I'm just there with you.  The hallmark (IMO) of a superb landscape.  Oh, it doesn't hurt the visual interest that my eye keeps seeing the mud texture and shape as a starfish.  Weird, huh :-)...  Mike

sorry, excellent ones.

all the best

gary

Thank you so much for your heart-warming comments! 

Weird is different and therefore weird is good.......well that's the excuse I usually make : - ) 

Cheers! 

 

Alf 

 

GARY 

 

You are far too generous my friend! 

 

Many Thanks 

 

Alf 

Your good fortune in finding this image is our as well.  Wetlands do present some wonderful opportunities, and you have taken full advantage.  As is typical of your work, the detail is razor sharp, the colors are sufficiently vivid without being overdone, and there is a magnificent sky.  It's as if these vessels may be sailing off the horizon.

My best always,

michael

It's a beautiful picture showing the calmness of sunset where everything in Nature seems to settle down.  I love the muddy-abstract in the foreground, it adds to the picture in my opinion.  Cheers!

There are many interesting elements here, Alf. I really like the textures, shapes and colors of the foreground, it is where my eyes are drawn, and in addition, the boats, the green area and the colorful sky. 

Kind Regards,

Rosario.

Bonita composición, con una magnífica luz, tonos y texturas.

 

Beautiful - beautiful picture! Great lines, perspective, composition! So much light and....life in it!

Warmest regards, Tamara

Hi Alf,

There is so much to like about this image. The placement of the boats, the forground texture, the stream of water leading the eye, the wonderful grass and of course, the light and sky. Very appelaing Alf and one that if hung on the wall would attrack many interested viewers. Best, Rob  

 

Humble Apologies for my late response! 

As always I really appreciate your eye for detail and your encouraging words! 

The balance between bland, vivid and natural is sometimes hard to find, but I think the neutral coloured foreground helped with this one.

Sincere Thanks 

 

Alf 

 

PANAYOTIS

 

The time of day and the subsequent light is nearly always a critical factor in this type of scene. Fortunately the weather was still quite cold so I didn't get eaten by mosquitoes : - )  

Many Thanks for your thoughtful comments! 

 

Alf 

 

ROSARIO 

 

Thank you for your astute observations and for letting me know the factors and elements that appeal to you, this is most helpful.

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

TOLO 

 

Sincere Thanks for your interest and positive feedback, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

TAMARA 

 

It's a strange location, I do believe I have taken some of my worst and best photographs here. One view can look downright ugly when the next can look stunningly beautiful.  The boats move around with each tide and of course the light and cloud cover is infinitely variable.  It's a challenge to say the least 

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback, much appreciated! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

ROB 

 

Thank you so much for your most encouraging comments!  I did a B & W version of this one and still wonder which one works best. I should of course have posted both. 

The cracked mud in the foreground was a factor that encouraged me to get closer, the down side is I was up to my ankles in mud by the time I finished taking the shot : - )

Cheers! 

 

Alf 

 

I am not going to describe this very high quality photo...suffice to say that the effect that it has on the eye is very pleasing. Incredible foreground and you did not need 36000 pixels to do that-:). Definitely a keeper. Sincere congratulations.

 

All the very best my friend,

 

Regards,

 

Dimitris.

Thank you so much for your most insightful comments, much appreciated.

 

I read somewhere recently a very good analogy regarding photography and cameras / equipment. 

"Photography is not about camera's, gadgets or gizmo's, it's about photographers!

"A camera didn't make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel" 

Take good care Dimitris!

 

Alf 

I'll comment on this before I read any other views so as not to be influenced.  What is obvious is the lovely long lead inwards of the river or estuary and the clouds which mirror that direction.  Excellent ! Personally I would have cropped off half the distance between the second closest boat and the left.  I tried that and think it works.

You mention reservations about the foreground.  I think it lends valuable interest and whilst there is a lot of it, to crop would cut out the engaging little stream and its meanderings !

Like it a lot, the atmosphere and feeling of peace.  Makes me want to be there !

Warm regards

Jim

PS - our first day of Winter, here in New Zealand.  The sun is shining (though rain tomorrow), so Judy and I have made the most of it.

 

 

 

 

Any photo (of mine at least) that is well exposed, has interesting elements, is sharp when required to be so, and has a decent composition, as you have here, is a candidate for posting.  My only nit is that I think even more foreground mud would be an asset.  The curve in the stream, a major element,  is a tad too close to the frame edge in my opinion.  I mean, who doesn't like mud?  Ask any pig. :-)  My guess is that this is low tide and so that boat isn't going anywhere for a few hours at least. Good idea to have waited until the sun no longer caused high contrast.  I too suspect much of your best work is still hidden in your old shoebox or whatever passes for one in this digital age.  Always a treat to see your work.  Best, LM.

Yes, I do see what you mean about the crop, a small point, yet it does make a difference.

I did have reservations about the foreground mud, mostly because of the bland colour rather than because of the texture, but it would seem that most viewers are ready to accept it and even welcome it's presence.

I wish we were experiencing our  first days of winter. Most people crave sunshine and blue sky's whereas I yearn for moody clouds, fog and frosty mornings. Our last winter was a real disappointment being nothing other than wet! 

Thank you for your considered thoughts and kind words Jim.

 

Best Wishes to yourself and Judy.

 

Alf 

 

LEN 

 

I have just been making comparisons with another photography web site to this one.

I posted the same image on both sites (Melt Down) and this site it received 700 views on the other website it received 5133 views.

However, despite its popularity on the other web site, the longest comment was something like 5 - 6 words, whereas here the feedback ......well suffice to say it has depth and meaning and comes from experienced photographers such as yourself that have a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer within well considered critiques.

 

About the mud...or lack of it : - ) ..well I guess you just can't have too much mud. But in order for more foreground mud, it then becomes a compromise to to make the boats proportionally smaller within the frame, though I do tend to agree with you that a tad more space below the stream would have been desirable. 

Yes, I do still have a few hidden gems in my digital shoe box's : - ) 

Trouble is, if I don't like them, I assume no one else will either, and I have been proved wrong on this point many times. 

Always good to hear from you Len! 

 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Hi ALF-Seems to me I remarked on this image but the foreground was much smaller.To me, it is kind of overpowering, it's an interesting study of the foreground What I see and being in a kind of dippy mood.is one large animal about to bite off his opponent's nose which I would expect will be very painful.However, I'm off to bed.Very Best Regards-Ross