Dutch surfgirls and dude

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This scene reminded me of some gangster movie. I liked the way they were moving away from the sea towards me.

Well done. The composition shows well the people comming back from a dive thanks to the large half of the picture that is used by the beach between phtographer and divers / swimmers. It shows that this walk seems wuite an excercise, as they all lokk exausted! I like it.

I like the pattern made by the swimmers, all wearing wet suits, all looking down, all but one with arms down. Nice photo!

Thanks Anne, summer is a great time to broaden your photographic horizons.

Whoa Tom, kinda makes me want to slip in my Endless Summer CD and see if surf's up in Holland. Kewl dude. Waxin down my board as we speak. Here's to long boards and nose rides.

Yeah but one little thing, we hardly have any waves :), this is one of the few places where there are waves that are ridable. For the real ones in Europe you have to go to Portugal, France or Cornwall.... still it is fun and it beats getting RSI from the gameboy or sitting behind the computer or tv all day. I support these kids and the surfschool by imortalizing them and putting them up for them to brag to their friends about. This is only one from a daily series. The others are not for public display though.

Tom, as an old Florida long board surfer, let me say that surfin isn't all about the waves, as your shot proves. It's about your surf buds dude, and looks like you got great buds there.

Hey Jim. You are right, I was just discussing this topic with two guys yesterday. The culture of surfers is omniversal :). I see similar underground culture and way of dealing with issues like environment friendship and politics under surffolks in the US, Austrlia, England and Holland. Usually a laidback circle of people who do what they like and life a relaxed life (if your not in te circuit)

Tom, I like the pattern and the expression on their faces (some look more tired than others, some look happy). I like the way the second from the left is sort of fixing something in her wetsuit. It really works for me.

 

A question, though, why did you frame vertical? I understand the sand in the foreground gives the impression they are going somewhere or rather coming here, but why did you exclude the horizontal possibility? Also, but I understand this one can just think later, and do not get mad at me :), and surely not with a platoon of surfgirls marching toward you, did you think of shooting such that their heads would have been all below the horizon?

I have thought about shooting below the horizon but I liked the imbalance, it added to the tired and happy faces (as you put it). Interpretation is always very personal and as this was not organized ( I have though about shooting a series that will be organized though) so a spur of the moment kind of shot. But I get the idea you are trying to portray. Maybe nxt time. Thanks for your comments and feedback. Ciao

The heads have to be above the horizon line, because as Brian Wilson said, "catch a wave and you're sittin on top of the world."

thanks for the comment. It would be aestetically more correct but as this was not staged and I would like to keep it "au naturel" I still think it came out the way I wanted it. Ciao

This one stood out, as the brigade, of the beach!

Thanx M, One of my favorit subjects. The subculture of the surfing crowd always leaves room for other interpretations. Tom