Inside-Job (Click for larger view)

I have a passion for boat houses, particularly the stone built variety

that are present in England and Wales. But It's never really occurred

to me to photograph the inside of one....until now. Your thoughts

and comments are always appreciated. Thank You!

I can't believe that I'm the very first to comment on this image.  Maybe I should play the lottery today.

 

First, the interpretive . . .  The boathouse is almost all dark, except for the bit of light coming in from outside.  Even though, at least sometimes, darkness is considered foreboding, scary, and - to some - a symbol of evil, in this instance I don't think so.  Rather, the boathouse is a safe harbor, sheltering the boat on three sides.  It may be scarier to be outside the boathouse, especially during a storm.

 

Now, the technical . . . The detail of the boathouse's interior walls and the boat is amazing.  When viewed in large mode, the shapes on those walls look somewhat fish.  There is splendid contrast in both color and tonality between the boathouse interior, the lake, and the landscape in the background.  As a finishing touch, the ducks (geese, swans) paddling along on the lake add interest.

 

I have conjectured that it simply is impossible for you to produce a bad image. That, if it happened, would demonstrate that you are a mere mortal, after all.

 

Hi Alf, I like this very much. The details inside the boat are great, the pov is also something I think was a great choice. There's just enough light reflecting off the water for us to see. Great work my friend.

Best Always, Holger

Alf,

  Wonderful image with perfect lighting, placement of boat & the ducks in the background complete the scene.   Take care, Patsy

I had better get in on the action early because this picture is going to generate a whole boatload (or boathouse) of comments. I don't know if you used HDR but if you did, this picture is an example of how it can be used to balance light and dark without having the process itself dominate the picture. It really is a masterpiece of balance, quite realistic and yet it has a hint of the surreal that I like very much - a little reminiscent of the work of the painter, Magritte. in his always surprising juxtaposition of daylight and darkness.. Into my favorites with this beauty!

Alf,

I like this very much!  The eye is drawn through the boat house, and with your good timing you have added interest with the inclusion of the Geese.  There is a lesson for all of us here, as it is always important to consider new ways of looking at our favourite themes.

Jim

An amazing range of light that approximates what I would expect to see but is so hard for cameras to capture.  Great to see the floating birds (geese, ducks, whatever) back in your image ;-).  It's certainly a womb for the boat... Mike

Perfectly executed  photograph with a unique composition. Excellent.

-BLM.

Alf, magical exposure balance between inside & outside, great details & perspective, lovely done!        Congr.

Nice work!  Good balance of dynamic range (HDR perhaps?).  The textures and lines inside the boathouse can keep your eyes busy for a while.

What a beautiful capture.  Great dynamic range, did you use an extended dynamic range process?  I am keeping this one in my favorites.  Best regards...

 

-Dave

 

Nice processing and perspective, great wide angled capture.

Perfect dynamic range and a perfect composition. Well done.

It takes great patience and technique to pull off a shot like this.

It occurred to me to write the last comment and I am strongly stressed.

First, the interpretive....It is recalled me a cinema room, with the difference that instead of the remote control is a boat which you can board and take an active part in this film.

Now,the technical....8 ducks bodes ill for the future, and the inscription on the top bar indicates the contractor.

The rest is excellent, Jacek.

I guess it's all been said- dark and light well managed. Looks like this one's roof might have been recently rebuilt? extra or used lumber saved for repairs.

Nice one Alf, beautiful warm light coming across the lake and onto the boat. I am assuming the interior looked a lot darker before you used all the exposure latitude of a RAW file, you have handled it masterfully.

Best regards GC. 

Thank you so much for your most complimentary words!

I do make mistakes, you just don't get to see the bad ones :)

But occasionally I come up with something I actually like myself and this is one of them.  So it's really most gratifying to learn that you shar my views.

It was an interesting experiment too. The exterior dawn light was of course much stronger than the light inside the boat house, so I metered for the light then re-composed and took the shot. The result was a much darker boat house than you see now, and a brighter exterior. A slight revealing of the shadow areas and a decrease in highlights was all that was needed.

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

HOLGER

 

Many Thanks Holger!

It was a bit of a challenge, and I really wasn't sure how it would turn out, but suffice to say I am pleased with the results!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

PATSY

 

I must admit I can't take any credit for the geese, they were just swimming past at the right time :)

Thank you so much!

 

Alf

 

JACK

 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful and most complimentary words!

I can see why you would think it was possible I used HDR, the lighting conditions were indeed challenging. But the dawn light wasn't too harsh and I was able to meter for the light and just raise the shadows slightly and consequently just used a single exposure.

It's so rewarding to try something a bit different and come away with positive results........of course that isn't always the case :)

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

JIM

 

So pleased you like it!   It can be difficult to come up with a new look, or a new idea, and even when you do, it's then something else trying to get it to work.

I can't take much credit for the geese, they just happened to be swimming past, and strangely got into nearly every photo I took at this location.

Many Thanks Jim!

 

Alf

 

MIKE

 

You are right the light was challenging, but I think because it was dawn I got away with a single exposure, later in the day I would have no chance!

The geese were "photo bombing" me all day I think they want to be famous :)

Thank you very much Mike!

Alf

 

 

BELA

 

Sincere Thanks for your interest and kind words!

 

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

RICHARD

 

Thank you so much!

The softer light of dawn helped with the exposure an I was able to raise details from the shadows without very much adjustment.

Alf

 

J PEREZ

 

Sincere Thanks!

I was able to balance the light without having to resort to HDR.

I metered for the light near the entrance to the boathouse, then re-composed and took the shot.  It was slightly darker than this originally.

Alf

 

DAVE

 

Thank you so much!

Thankfully I didn't have to use HDR  (although I would have no hesitation in doing so if needed) I just metered for the light near the entrance to the boathouse, then re-composed and took the shot. It was then just a case of lightening the shadows and a tweak to reduce the highlights.

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

CHRIS

 

Thank you very much! The Nikon 14 - 24mm is a great lens for wide angle!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

EYSTEIN

 

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

 

Alf

 

EMMANUEL

 

Sincere Thanks!

 

The technique was good, but I'm not the most patient of people, just as well I got it with the first attempt :)

 

Alf

 

JACEK

 

I can see the similarities you would draw with that of a cinema room, the end of the boat house like a projected screen.

Your entire interpretation is captivating!

 

 My Sincere Thanks!

 

Alf

 

GREG

 

I am not sure how recent is the refurbishment, because the walls look in good condition too. Maybe the extra lumber is going to be used to build doors for the entrance!

Many Thanks

 

Alf

 

GERALD

 

 

I'm really pleased you noticed that warm light, it was the effect of the  sun which hadn't quite topped the horizon at this time of the day, but whose warm rays reflected off the lake.

You are right the RAW file was darker, but it didn't need much adjustment in Lightroom to reveal the detail in shadow.

 

Many Thanks Gerald!

 

Alf

 

Alf,  Interesting composition and details but the quality of this image is really exceptional.  Full mark!

I love this!  Such a stunning composition!  The way that the red, gold and orange rays of light dance across the blues and turquoises of the ripples - guiding the eyes down and back up the centre of the picture, from the velvety greens and browns of the grass on the opposite bank to the warm chocolate browns and rich mahogany reds in the liquid reflections of the woods and the stonework in the boathouse, all blending together perfectly, creating the assurance of a peaceful, safe haven for the boat as it restfully awaits it's next journey.  All this made the more serene by the passing unhurried geese. (I don't think you could have placed them more perfectly if you had picked them up and added them by hand!)  

It's so rare to capture the inside of a boathouse like this and you have captured this one with a flush of tranquility.  

Beautiful!

Many Thanks! I think the key to this one was the soft dawn light outside. It allowed a great deal of leeway in making adjustment to shadows and highlights.

Alf

 

SANS

You paint such a vivid picture with your words that I scarcely have to look at the image :)

It was a new albeit spontaneous kind of experiment  for me, the door to the boat house was open and I took the opportunity to take a couple of shots.

I think the geese were stalking me, either that or I resembled a piece of bread!  But they followed me pretty much everywhere on this occasion!

Sincere Thanks for your most eloquent and thoughtful feedback, much appreciated!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

 

 

 

I think Michael Linder said it best and I concur.  The ducks in the background  and the painterly strokes of orange really add to the aesthetics. Congrats!

Hi Alf, My goodness, this is quite an epic photo in terms of light management, details and composition! The Geese are a perfect addition and what luck!!  really great work Alf and another great addition to your portfolio. All the best. Sarah.

I don't know that I can add more than 'Sans' - his critique describes this shot so well.  I've not seen the inside of a boat house with old walls like this.  Truly a challenge with regards to light and shadow but you seem to have managed it very well Alf.  Beautiful, original and timely - at least all the geese were not following you :) Bonus!

Thank you so much for your thoughts and kind words.  It's particularly gratifying when one tries something different and it works!

Best Regards

 

Alf

 

SARAH

 

Thank you so much Sarah!

Yes very lucky in one respect with the geese in just the right place and the right time. Unfortunately the geese then stalked me all morning and I couldn't get a shot of the lake with any good reflections :)  You win some and you lose some!

 

Cheers!

 

Alf

 

GAIL

 

Thank you so much for your thoughts and invaluable feedback!

 

Yes I agree Sans did paint a wonderful picture with words!  But the geese did follow me all round the lake, and I couldn't get a decent shot of the reflections because they were constantly rippling the surface....oh well can't win them all!  :)

Cheers Gail!

 

Alf