Moon Bathing (Click for larger view)

The surreal nature of the 100 or so statues by the artist Anthony Gormley have always

fascinated me. I added a bit more surrealism with the long exposure (70 seconds) at

sunset.

 

Your Thoughts and Comments are always appreciated. Thank You.

Surreal indeed, I'm reminded of Gort from "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951), but then, you know my weird eye ;-).  Very well done and the long exposure works to perfection... Mike

 

"Klaatu barada nikto."

The many tones of blue and the lone silhouette are striking Alf. A beautiful image that is very well presented. 

Best Always,

Holger 

Hi Alf,

  Beautiful image with magical colors & lighting.  Take care, Patsy

Exquisite composition and realization here, Alf. Well done.

Excellent result ! There would be no problem getting him to stand still for such a long exposure ! Bill

HI, Alf! Beautiful work! Complements the artist. warm regards, Tamara

Stunning as always, there is a reason that this is such a popular location with us togs and you have demonstrated it nicely with this shot.

Jed

Really beautiful work, very nicely composed too, Alf!

 

The light here is fantastic, helping to establish a wonderful mood to your composition. Very well done, Alf! 

Surrealism, indeed.  It's as if the subject is about to levitate himself so that he is standing on the water's surface.  What I find most interesting is his body position.  He appears to be gazing at something other than the other objects toward the background (a marker, another person [?]) - or at perhaps nothing at all.

 

I'd say that the long exposure works, hands down.  In my opinion, the entire frame is at least close to technically flawless.  The image already is in my favorites.

 

My best always,

michael

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback and support! 

That alien phrase never was interpreted...but perhaps you know what it means : - ) 

 

And no, it's a popular misconception that my name stand for Alien Life Form! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

HOLGER 

 

Thank you so much!

I was going to alter the white balance and introduce warmer tones, but on reflection I'm rather glad I left it alone.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf 

 

PATSY 

 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

EMMANUEL

 

Sincere Thanks! 

 

These statues just seem to refuse to be ignored by all that cross their path.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

BILL

 

Very true! This guy wasn't going anywhere in a hurry, would have been interesting if he did move though : - ) 

 

Best Regards

 

Alf 

 

TAMARA 

 

Many Thanks for your thoughtful comments! 

 

Warm Regards 

 

Alf 

 

JED 

 

Thank You!  They are such a wonderful addition to the Crosby shore line. One of the councils acquisitions that I think has paid off really well!!

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

RUUD 

 

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words! 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

ANABELA 

 

I agree, the last light of the day as usual provided some nice colours despite the clouds, and the static nature of the subject allowed for a great contrast.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards

 

Alf 

 

MICHAEL

 

I think you have touched on the very reason that people stop and stare at these statues. It is the very atmosphere they create by staring blindly at the horizon that I think fascinates the onlookers. 

I know nothing about art or sculptures in general, but then I don't think you have to know this subject in depth to appreciate the character and ambiance that these fine pieces of work portray.

I am most flattered that you consider this one a favourite. 

 

Sincere Thanks Michael.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

 

 

 

 

Smooth and aesthetically pleasing. That little hint of yellow in the sky is effective with the overall blue color. 

Many Thanks!  The little hint of yellow was the only bit of the sunset that showed, but the lack of light did help to extend the exposure times.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

beautiful image Alf...that's what i can say in a nutshell...i love the colors and the silhouetted man positioned where he is looks great...he seems to be enjoying this scene as well...regards....David

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback.  I am sure that Anthony Gormley (The Artist that created these statues in his own likeness) would love to read your impressions too.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

It worked out well Alf. I didn't realize that there were over 100 statues!! When I just saw the second one I kind of wondered. Looks like a beautiful evening. Are you on holidays Alf??

Many Thanks for your thoughtful feedback! 

No, I'm not on holiday <sigh> , but I am very fortunate, these statues are located about 30 minutes away from my home.  They are spread out over quite a wide area of the shoreline and most of them become submerged at high tide.  They are compulsive viewing and of course they do get a lot of attention from photographers.   

Then there is the more humorous element when you see them dressed  (courtesy of the local comedians)  in all kinds of ladies underwear, bling jewellery and fancy hats    : - ) 

Good to hear from you Gail.

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

I guess I'm in the minority in not seeing the surrealism here. I find it contemplative and soothing in a meditative way. It has a kind of quiet harmony, like a visual nocturne. That it's a statue standing against (really within) nature connects art with life as the sculptor likely intended. Your eye and lens give it another level of seeing. It's lovely to look at.

Could it be both? Surreal and contemplative and soothing. 

The surreal aspect for me is the very stationary figure against everything else that is moving. It's a like a film that has been speeded up whilst the main character remains sedentary.  Almost like a time lapse sequence shot within a single frame if that makes and sense at all. 

I agree with your analogy of what sculpture likely intended though, the connection between art and life. 

Many Thanks for looking in Fred I really appreciate your feedback. 

 

Best Regards 

 

Alf 

Yes, it could be both. But for me, it's not, in this particular case. And I appreciate your explanation of what feels surreal to you. For me, surrealism has to do with a sort of unconscious realm where dream and reality are often juxtaposed, with non sequiturs, and everyday objects becoming strange creatures or other things of that sort. Though this may have the element of the interesting juxtaposition of the still statue against everything else that's moving (as you see it), I don't find that a surreal juxtaposition, though it may be a thoughtful one. Though the water is blurry and you've used time lapse to enhance that feature, it all feels very still to me, so for me the water, sky, and statue feel more in harmony than oddly juxtaposed. But, as I say, this takes nothing away from the photo for me, and I realize I'm in the minority in not experiencing it as surrealistic.

Thank you for taking the time to explain your views. Minority view or not, yours is certainly a valid contribution and causes me to pause and re-examine the image again and how it can be alternatively interpreted. 

Alf 

Henry Moore was very big in exhibiting his statues in the right environment and I think you have done it for this particular artist. You have created the right mood and atmosphere to view the sculpture of the man, nature's most elevated creation, in a serene and calm situation....

 

A lot more difficult than it looks.

 

Sincere congratulations my friend!.

Always good to read your well considered views, Thank You! 

The "gazing out to sea" pose is repeated a hundred times by all of the statues on this stretch of coastline, yet each one appears somehow unique.  I can appreciate your reasoning of this statue of a man being in a calm serene environment,  we can connect with it as it seems to imitate our own reflective practice as we stand and gaze with our own inner thoughts.

 

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards my friend!

 

Alf