Mary's Golden Shell (Click for larger view)

Well it doesn't look golden and perhaps not even like a shell, but all that

was mythology. Anyway........the 16 ton sculpture looked surreal and I

thought a long exposure would emphasise that. The clouds lining up with

the converging lines were a bonus. Your thoughts and comments are

always welcome.........Thank You!

Alf you have created great depth in this image. I like the use of the long exposure  and the lines streaming from the clouds look sort of heavenly for lack of a better description. A very interesting image of which I need to know more about, as I'm sorry to say I'm not familiar with Mary's Golden Shell, but I am intrigued. As always a well done artistic offering from you.

Best Always,

Holger

Funny that, even before reading Holger's reference to heavenly, my first impression from the thumbnail was, "So I've died and here are the Pearly Gates".  Truly this is as much art as it is photograph.  Fantastic stuff, you've done well here....  Mike

Gorgeous sky and water Alf - a rare convergence of the elements - glad you were there to show us.

Not a fan of modern sculpture though - instead, do you think you could clone in an old fishing boat, or perhaps a mermaid?

Best, David

The radial and centripetal structure of the cloud lines along with the great detail and sharpness, emphasize the great depth of the shot, empower the subject and lead the viewer's eye right on spot. The light is superb and the overall result magnificent. Compliments!

A great image Alf. Interesting photo of an interesting subject, I love the sky.

Ger.

Hi Alf,

  Wonderful image with powerful sky & colors.  Take care, Patsy

A stunning long exposure Alf, the cloud movement really adds to the image.

Jed

fascinating photo! Lines and composition are simply perfect. To me this stands out from your anyway remarkable landscapes because this "thing" in the center is not the usual nostalgic object one would expect at this place, but a bit of an odd piece of flotsam adding a surreal aspect and providing an additional twist.

I have to say I was quite surprised myself the way the clouds and lines converged, and the long exposure kind of accentuated the surreal look of the scene. The 16.5 Ton Sculpture was placed on the beach and relates to the children's book "The Sea Swallow" (which I confess I have not read)  which is based on the Mythological coast of Lancashire and the lost forest under the sea. 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

MIKE 

I wouldn't know anything about heavenly, I'm headed for that much warmer place : - ) 

But I do know what you mean, the elements just come together for that last shot of the morning.  Perhaps I should re-name it "Stairway to Heaven ....we know a song about that : - ) 

Many Thanks Mike! 

Alf 

RICHARD 

I can understand how you would mistake it for a rusty old pipe, but it is art (so I'm told). The 16.5 Ton Sculpture was placed on the beach and is based on local mythology.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

DAVID 

If I had found a mermaid, I don't think I'd have been quite so interested in the shell, or even the camera come to think of it : - ) 

There are fishing boats and wrecks at this location, but my intention was to aim for the surreal, which I think worked. 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and comments, much appreciated! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

YANNIS

I couldn't have asked for the clouds to line up any better, I looked up and only had to take half a dozen steps to the left to centralise the shell beneath. 

Sincere Thanks 

Alf 

GERALD 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words. I do intend to return when I can work out when high tide next coincides with either dawn or dusk.

Best Regards 

Alf 

PATSY 

Thank you so much, I got lucky with the sky, but only noticed the shapes converge as I took the last two shots.

Best Regards 

Alf 

JED 

I tried several different angles and exposures and was quite pleased with the results, in total I only took 13 shots, but the last two I liked best because of the way the clouds lined up.

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words Jed.

Best Regards 

Alf 

WOLFGANG

One of my friends compared it with Salvador Dali which I can understand because it is very surreal and yes the "thing" does seem to add to that impression.  It isn't flotsam as such, though I can understand why you would think it was, but it is in fact a 16.5 ton sculpture of a shell.  Weird.....but good weird I think : - ) 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards 

Alf 

Alf - unique and stunning. It has that WOW factor. Great composition. Wonderful treatment of the clouds and sky. Love where the horizon line is and that the culvert sticks above it.

This is a clear example when a centered composition works perfect. The long exposure makes some beautiful lines are drawn in the sky and give it a mystical look. This picture in black and white  could be more dramatic. Just an idea.

Kind Regards,

Rosario.

Fine Art at it's best!

Hi Alf,

Very artistic.  Looks like you may have a few spots on your sensor though.  As you may know, sensor dirt is more pronounced at smaller f/stops, such as f/22 used here.  There are two spots near the left edge, another one in the water about 3 o'clock from the sculpture, and another at 1 o'clock in the sky.  Perhaps there are others, but these are the ones that jumped out at me.  I hate to see dirt ruin a good image!  Regards, Jeff

Really a great and artisic composition, this one is ART, master! Ciao, Maurizio.

Hi Alf,

Wow! I could see this hanging in a minimalist art gallery! The placement of the clouds, colours and tones make for a fantastic art image! Very well seen. Have a great weekend. Best wishes. Sarah.

I don't have many things to add that hasn't already been said from the previous reviewers.  Your decision to use long exposure gave life to something that maybe didn't have the grace and the glow that shines all over now.  The clouds were on your side.  Marvelous composition and very well thought and executed.  Once more my dear friend you have my sincere congratulations!  Cheers!

Many Thanks!  I thought I might have a lot of distortion to contend with as I tilted the camera upwards to get more of the sky, but fortunately it was only slight and easily corrected in Lightroom.

Best Regards

Alf 

ROSARIO 

Thank you for your interest, kind words and suggestions. 

I find that where converging lines occur, then a central composition can work well.

I will try processing a  B & W version and compare : - ) 

Best Regards 

Alf 

DOMINIC 

I like the fact that it doesn't look quite real, but nature is the best artist.

Sincere Thanks 

Alf 

JEFF 

"Well Spotted" (pardon the pun) I have now eradicated those bothersome blemishes from the original image.  I do have my sensor cleaned at least once a year, but inevitably with multiple lens changes, a few specks of dust get onto the sensor.

I must visit your portfolio to see how the D810 is faring in your capable hands.

Many Thanks & Kind Regards 

Alf 

MAURIZIO

I agree it does look rather creative, but nature provided most of the ingredients : - ) 

Many Thanks

Alf 

SARAH

It does look like that "arty farty" kind of thing, I would even venture to say it looks like a digital manipulation, but of course it isn't. It was just being in the right place at the right time.

Many Thanks Sarah, you have a great weekend too! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

PANAYOTIS 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and comments.

I thought that the 16.5 ton sculpture looked surreal enough by itself, so I thought the long exposure would accentuate that fact. It was a great bonus that the clouds lined up the way they did.

Best Regards 

Alf 

This kind of leans heavily to surreal, Alf! I just love it!

Best regards

PDE

Supremely creative!

Truly superb image, much food for thought here......

Marvelous, great work as usual!!

Hi Alf,

For me, I think that the D810 will prove to be a better camera than the D800.  So far, I'm impressed with its apparent sharper focus and silky shutter.  However, I did most of my processing in Capture NX2, and as of this writing the software does not support the D810.  So, I bought Lightroom 5 and hopefully I'll have something posted this month!

Regards, Jeff

Thank you so much!

I have to confess that this image reminds me more of your work than it does mine : - ) 

Best Regards 

Alf 

APURVA 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words.

Best Regards 

Alf 

ALFRED 

Thank you for taking the time to look and comment, much appreciated! 

Best regards 

Alf 

ALBERTO 

Thank you for your encouraging comments.

Best Regards 

Alf 

JEFF 

I would think it should be a better camera at the price they are charging

: - ) 

Interesting to note the "silky shutter" I've always thought the D700 and the D800 were quite clunky for such precision instruments.

I have never got on very well with the Nikon software, and always found the Adobe Lightroom to follow a much more rational workflow the way it's set out. 

And that's another thing I have noticed about each new camera model that either Nikon or indeed Canon bring out........each time they do we have to upgrade our software!  hmmmmm. 

Look forward to seeing the results Jeff.

Regards 

Alf 

A really beautiful and original result, Alf!