ROYAL SEAFOODS

Dave, you've gone California weird on me now. But I like it! What's this all about???

Thanks. This is just a shot of a seafood sales place at the end of the wharf in Monterey. The boats bring them in, they butcher (is that the right word for fish cutting) them and sell the fish about as fresh as it gets. No tricks, just straight shot.

I don't know about California weird, but I've been weird all my life. That's why I got thrown out of Iowa and have to live in California.

My tone has been too harsh tonight. I apologize. This is an unusual scene for me, no doubt like some of mine are for you. I was/am intrigued by this, and have seen nothing like it. I think you captured it very well, particularly the light coming through from the rear. Thanks for the commentary on this. That really helps.

No need to apologize. Glad to have the conversation, and I get a hundred times harsher comments on my stuff all the time. I'm just grateful to have you looking and commenting. You need not worry about speaking your mind with me. One thing I really appreciate about you is the fact that you seem to be such an honest and forthright person. Qualities I wish I had more of. Take care.

On the wharf, Monterey, California

Dave, it looks more like a carwash. Except for the petrified fisherman. Is this photo straight from your camera's meter or did you have to EV compensate? I find that your photos are well exposed, even though some of them have challenging light situations, including this one. Cheers, Micheal

Rumor has it that the fisherman guy is a Canadian who got caught in a bad freeze. They're still trying to thaw him out. Straight out of the camera, the front doors and man were brighter. So to get more of the interior I did a little work with levels. Also, the details in the far door were completely blown out, so I used the dodge tool to get some of that back. Otherwise, it's pretty much the way the camera saw it.

David this photo has got all ingredient I like....a nice documentary, a wonderful composition with a foreground and depth created by perspective and illumination coming from the back door...wonderful colors and the wet floor and reflection add that extra touch....human presence with busy attitude completes it....a wonderful street/doc photo.

Thanks so much. I rather liked this one too, but with your rate, only five people even bothered. Some days I wonder why even bother to put them up for critique. On the other hand, it did get few people like you to comment, and for that I'm grateful. Take care.

We are in the same boat...never let unapreciative people make you want not doing what you like...I just feel the same and only share my photos for the few who might find them interesting...and by the way 4670 peolple watching your portofolio is quite good...can you image a crownd of 4600 people waiting in line at the local gallery to watch your exhibition...:-)

I second that Dave - why to get discouraged because of details like that? As long as you enjoy taking these photos and posting them, then it's not important how many people see them or rate/comment on them, or how they rate them. Micheal

 

Of course you are right. Not to mention, I have "met" some really nice folks here on Pn amongst whom I count you both, so I should be a bit more appreciative. Just ignore my whining. I do it too much. Thanks.

I think the person walking thru the scene really gives this life.

I agree. I had one just the same without the person and decided it was better with the person.

I agree with you both...the composition would already be fine without...but the person (and its shadow on the floor) adds to it...and orange goes well with yellow...in general city photo/building shots are often much better with human presence...it speaks more to the viewer I guess.

Hello David.

Thanks for the fish story. Your images and words are always appreciated.

A very nice shot, David. I second and third and even forth all the comments above. Keep on clicking and posting! There are some really great photos in your portfolio. I wish I could go to America quite often to shoot as many great locations as you do! Monterey, California, the kinds of names that make one dream about America. This fisherman really is an interesting character caught in beautiful light.

Thanks so much. I wish I could go to Europe and all the continents too, but,alas, I am poor. What really strikes me however is the fact that so many people can make great photos out of seemingly nothing. So many of us grew up thinking our towns and cities were boring, and lusting to leave for the bright lights. But I have found there are little gems all around. You find gas nozzles and make them into art, my friend Doug Berryhill finds old houses and buildings in Tennessee, and another couple of friends in Montana find buttes and barns and who knows what. Jack brings us little slices of Japan a piece at a time. Kent can make a magnificent work of art out of a toll booth attendant! The list goes on and on, but the truth is that there is a universality in art that transcends all borders and all epochs. Wow! You got me started there. Anyway, thanks for the comment and stopping by. I do get pissed off at Pn or Photo netters sometimes, but the truth is there are a lot of wonderful people out there and some magnificent art. Yes, most of it will go unrecognized, but that does not negate its value.

Very well said, David, I totally agree with you!

David, you ol' philosopher, you. But you're absilutely right, it's not where you are but what you see, how you see. Did you ever see the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmie Stewart? I think it's kind of like that. Real life is not elsewhere. I'd love to travel the world (despite the fact I live in Japan, I've actually done very little travelling) but I am under no illusion that the pictures would be any better, any more exciting, somewhere far away. I tell you, too much exotica simply confuses me. I'm more likely to find a good picture in a deserted parking lot right down the street than in the middle of some colorful festival in Tibet.

Of course, given your photography, you could not help but agree. Crap, any moron could make a pretty picture of Mt. Fuji, or El Capitan. That's not to say that we shouldn't view these things and appreciate them, but isn't it surprising how many wonderful little slices of life can be found if one opens ones eyes to them? I'm convinced that this childlike wonder is key to good photos.