Backward Glance (Click for larger view)

These strange looking objects are concrete groynes, designed to retain the sand and

stop erosion of the river. A task that it has achieved very successfully. I am

fascinated with the shapes and patterns they provide and they way they catch the light

in the early morning. Climbing up on them to get a good perspective can be painful

experience though, as they are covered in very rough and sharp barnacles! Your

thoughts and comments are always appreciated Thank You

Hi Alf, Very well composed image, the eye is literally led out to sea. The larger view is great because it reveals the barnacles you mentioned and the windmills in the far distance. The low cloud cover and best of all morning light complete this fine landscape. Well done as always Alf.

Best Always,  Holger

The lighting and composition go together to make this a wonderful image.  I can almost smell the salt air.  Congratulations, Phil

Alf,

You have selected a great POV to take this shot.  I especially like the composition, leading lines, and wonderful light.  Your climb was worth it.  Bravo!

Hi Alf,

  Wonderful image with great colors & composition.  Take care, Patsy

The clouds are very well defined, the groynes have intriquing repetitive patterns, the afternoon light adds warmth, but I like the lone tree (albeit metal) as an interesting element. Glad to see you left before the tide came in ;-)... Mike

Wow, what a wonderful shot. Everything works well together here - the breakwater like some ancient road disappearing into the sea, the lowering clouds and the glowing colors at the end of day. Just a beautiful piece of work, Alf.

Well thought out composition. Great work, Alf!

Hi Alf,

Very well capture with good lighting!

Best regards, Tina

I "liked" it on FB without being aware of its content! We shall stick to PN, therefore! Well done, as always, Alf!

 

Best

 

PDE

Dear Alf, with you, no detail can escape in a landscape, I find no other way to view so much and so well presented as you usually do it.

The angle, you offer us of the place is very personal, intimate and invites others to enjoy the place. The time of day chosen is a great moment, there are still direct lights but very soft and also they've got an added interest for you, invite you to think ... Looking at these forms of concrete, they resemble to me, great open mouths shouting to heaven, many mouths or beaks of birds in their nest waiting for food :)

In fact what prompts me to meditate is the line that invites us to be followed and then is discontinued, suddenly interrupted: it's Life, a very clear simile of our passage through here and when we cease to be ... what then ..? . windmills... yes ... it all makes sense, wind is ethereal, and so we will be. The line seems like Life itself and its end.

 

Congrats, astounding shot. Kindest regards, Laura.

I really like your composition here Alf and that sky is wonderful.

Jed

Many Thanks for your interpretations and positive feedback, much appreciated! 

I did take a shot in the opposite direction that shows the lighthouse and "Fort Perch Rock" building, but even at 6.00 am at this time of the year the light can be harsh, so I prefer the light in this direction. I may post the lighthouse shot though just as a kind of comparison.

 

Kind Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PHIL 

 

The River Mersey was once one of the most polluted rivers in Europe, but thanks to millions of pounds worth of investment in sewerage systems and changes in the law to discourage illegal discharge, the river now has reversed it's fortunes in the last 20 years and now hosts a vast array of sea life, including I am told Salmon. The concrete groynes you can see here were designed to prevent erosion of the sand banks and they have worked beautifully.  They also provide interesting geometrical patterns for photographer like me : - ) 

Sincere Thanks Phil.

 

Alf 

 

BILL 

 

I remember taking a similar shot a few years ago and naming it  "A pain in the Groyne" the pain part still applies : - ) 

Many Thanks & Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

Thank you so much for your interest and kind words.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

MIKE 

 

I am not at all sure what those "lone tree" things are for, they seem to have steps and a platform so I am wondering if they are placed there as a rescue point for any stranded swimmers that may be in danger.  But in any case they do provide a good focal point : - )

The tide was a looooong way out this time, and I had my trusty  "wellies" on just in case! 

Many Thanks Mike! 

 

Alf 

 

JACK 

 

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback, much appreciated. 

There is a surreal element to those groynes that I find appealing.

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

ANABELA 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words, much appreciated.

Best Regards 

Alf 

 

TINA 

The early morning light is usually kind, though it becomes increasingly harsh at this time of year.

Many Thanks & Kind Regards 

 

Alf 

 

PIERRE 

 

It gets confusing with so many social forums to choose from, I don't know if I'm tweeting or blogging any more : - ) 

Many Thanks 

 

Alf 

 

LAURA 

 

The angle is unusual and in this case difficult to achieve because of the awkward nature or shape of the structures that you have to balance on to get the shot

I love your interpretation of open mouths, like birds awaiting their mother bringing food. I also think they resemble fish, carp in particular as they feed from floating particles on the waters surface.

I also enjoyed reading your comparison of the image to life's path and it's sudden end. So final and sudden with no compromise.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful an positive analysis Laura

 

Warm Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JED 

 

Many Thanks for your visit and kind words.   It might be a good opportunity for a long exposure too, but the groynes only seem to offer at best a very precarious resting place for tripods : - ) 

Cheers Jed

 

Alf 

Because of my tardiness in viewing this photograph, I must take my place at the end of a very long list of well-deserved comments.  Quite honestly, having browsed through at least a representative sampling of them, I have no problem agreeing wholeheartedly with them.

 

Yet, I think there may be a consideration no one has addressed.  Because of your perspective when you shot the photograph, the breakwater not only leads a viewer's eye to the water, it also gives the impression that it almost can touch the horizon.  Taken together with the low lying clouds, this gives the image a surreal image.  I also love the contrast between the sharp detail of the groynes and the soft appearance of the sand and water.  

 

My best,

michael

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

 

Yes, I see what you mean, the groynes almost form a kind of "Stairway to heaven"  I suppose if I had got a little lower it may have touched the sky, although the repeating patterns may have then been lost It's an interesting aspect of the image you have highlighted and one that didn't really strike me until you mentioned it! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Hi Alf, great light, colours, textures and tones with a very strong composition, a very strange looking breaker and I don't think it would be very easy to walk on or over it! Very well seen. I do agree with one of the comments that they look like rows of open mouth's ready to feed! Best wishes. Sarah.

You are right it is a strange looking breakwater and the "open mouths" remind me of baby birds at feeding time : - ) 

The unusual shapes add a kind of surreal touch which I quite like.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Alf, in the past I would find something to offer as a suggestion  or nit-pick on some aspect of the image. Today as in the recent past, IMHO, you have nailed this one. The light, the composition, the clarity, the focus are all on the button. Congratulations on a fine shot and happy that neither the photographer nor the equipment was harmed in 'filming' this.

Many Thanks for your invaluable feedback! 

I am getting a bit too old for clambering over things like this, but I wouldn't have been happy unless I at least tried.  I might have to invest in one of those drones, although the thought of that doesn't really appeal. Maybe more simple technology....like a ladder : - ) 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf