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01/28/2009 07:07:31 PM |
This is one of the most unusual photos I have ever seen - and I have seen a lot. Somehow, conditions have just come together, broad light, frost and ice rounding the contours of things, the layers of ice, the smoothness and lack of micro detail, to craft a visual impression that this is actually a model, perhaps no taller than about 12 inches. However, the sea is made of tiny droplets, too small for a model, so that seeing this gives me a strange feeling of unreality - My mind finds it hard to accept that I am not looking at a model superimposed on a real seascape. As we can't see a very detailed full file image of the photo on this website, there is nothing I can do to lessen the strangeness of it.
However, a lovely photo, whatever fortuitous combination of light and time got you there to capture it - and if it ever goes large, as it were, or you feel like showing a snippet at original size, where sea meets building - I would be most grateful if you could put it in answer to this email - my mind just can't see the top of the lighthouse as anything but a model, and yet the sea is real - strange and unsettling feeling, when we are so used to fake things being so cleverly designed to suggest they are real, and yet here is a real scene cunningly pretending to be fake - if only the lighthouse keeper had been up on the lighthouse itself, or had been standing in the doorway below. Very well taken, and congratulations - I would love to see any more taken at the same location perhaps that day or in different light or weather conditions - please?
Message edited by author 2009-01-28 19:09:17. |
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01/28/2009 01:22:08 PM |
| Really remarkable image -- it's hard to believe it's not an intricately designed model. |
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01/28/2009 12:05:54 PM |
Originally posted by aurelie:
excellent !!
just one critic if i may: the rule of the 2/3 here would have been magic !
but i love the color, the movement & the mood.
great photo :) |
The "rule of thirds" is only *one* of a number of compositional rules-of-thumb. THis image uses a different one, the "triangular" model. The lighthouse is precisely centered in the image, which plays up the concept of "strength" as it stands there foursquare and absorbs the battering of the elements. There are basically three triangles at work here: an overall triangle of shattering spray with the top of the lighthouse forming its apex, and two smaller triangles, left and right, with the lighthouse itself forming the vertical side of each triangle. This is very powerful juxtaposing of elements, and it's part of why the image works so well. Another key element is the footbridge leading us in from the left. Imagine the image without that bridge, and see how much less powerful it would be. Why? To a large degree because the footbridge injects a counterpoint of tremulous frailty and human scale to the image; it's easy to imagine being ON that bridge, and that's a daunting prospect.
Now, as far as rule-of-thirds goes, the only way I can see to even *have* it in this image (without cropping off the right side so the lighthouse is on a 1/3 line, which would kill the dynamic explosion of spray) is to use a wider lens and include more image on the right. I can't see exposing more tot he left, because the bridge would become too dominant then. So give us more on the right, turbulent water and empty sky presumably, so the lighthouse is on the 1/3 left line, and would the image be stronger? I don't think so, I think it would be less focused and intense.
****
Great work, Drake. For those who think it's overprocessed, my response is "WTF?" I know overprocessing, LOL, and by my standards this is almost too UNDERprocessed. I may take a swing at it with tone mapping just for the hell of it :-) |
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01/28/2009 05:55:28 AM |
There may be more famous Lighthouses, but living in the state with the most lighthouses (along 3000 miles+ of coastline, and accessible) is a blessing, isn't it?
The hard part isn't the Wintery shooting conditions, it's the driving conditions in Winter trying to get to the Lighthouses that limits us. Lucky (and smart!) you living where you do. Beautiful (and powerful) shot. Congratulations. |
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01/28/2009 03:29:30 AM |
excellent !!
just one critic if i may: the rule of the 2/3 here would have been magic !
but i love the color, the movement & the mood.
great photo :) |
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01/28/2009 03:16:18 AM |
| Did you shoot any at 1/30 or 1/15.It really is a very beautyful/I really think you should make a poster or let Nikon put it in their center.Harvey Sherman |
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01/28/2009 03:11:55 AM |
| I really like the photograph/make a poster out of it.Harvey Sherman 1 26 2009 |
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01/27/2009 10:11:57 PM |
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01/27/2009 03:19:05 AM |
| crap. this is awesome ... not weather the photo :-) |
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01/26/2009 10:47:41 AM |
| Incredible photo. Well done on the ribbon. |
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01/26/2009 06:00:50 AM |
| great shot... i like it very much, i like the composition but colors are very beautiful... congratulations for your ribbon. |
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01/25/2009 04:29:01 PM |
this looks miniature, its weird how that is
congrats on 2nd place! |
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01/24/2009 09:17:49 PM |
| Congrats on your ribbon - it's a spectacular shot. |
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01/24/2009 12:31:39 PM |
| Great day, great shot, favorite place - must have been slightly treacherous out there but that's what it's all about - Congratulations!! |
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01/24/2009 12:06:14 PM |
| Wow, what a great image. A great subject skillfully presented. |
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01/24/2009 12:00:30 PM |
| Stunning image. How cold was it that day? Congrats on the very well deserve red ribbon!! |
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01/24/2009 07:02:38 AM |
| Wow what an impressive picture. |
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01/23/2009 11:38:43 PM |
| What a beautiful capture. Congrats on your ribbon. |
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01/23/2009 08:41:54 PM |
| This shot is absolutely awesome. Congratulations on the well deserved ribbon. I can't believe you can get out in conditions like this and take photos.(Well I do, coz you've proved it!) |
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01/23/2009 06:31:15 PM |
| Such a magnificent image. Everytime I see it on the front page I'm in awe again. Well deserved placement for Best of. |
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01/23/2009 04:57:00 PM |
Just a wonderful image, congratulations on the ribbon. It was well deserved.
Mac, |
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01/23/2009 03:26:29 PM |
| awesome shot, congrats on your ribbon! |
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01/23/2009 03:20:52 PM |
| Nice capture of an AWESOME scene! Well done! |
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01/23/2009 11:07:05 AM |
| An excellent capture, Drake! Congrats on your 2nd place win! |
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01/23/2009 10:38:47 AM |
| Amazingly fantastic shot! |
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01/23/2009 10:11:38 AM |
| so wonderful. it's amazing. congrats on the honor of Best of the Best. |
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01/23/2009 10:03:34 AM |
Ohmygoodness. This is one of the most beautiful, dramatic photos I've ever seen. A fine choice for top honors in this prestigious challenge! Congratulations!
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01/23/2009 08:56:59 AM |
| Contrats on a HUGE ribbon! This looks like you can reach out and touch it!! Great display of natures power! |
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01/23/2009 08:51:23 AM |
| Congrats!! I had a feeling about this one! I also like the lighthouse in So Hay, but I doubt I'd ever get a picture like this!! Nice work, very dramatic! |
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01/23/2009 08:35:39 AM |
| Excellent shot Drake! Very dramatic and certainly a good display of the forces of the nature. Well deserved ribbon! |
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01/23/2009 07:18:33 AM |
| Powerful! Congrats on the ribbon! |
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01/23/2009 07:17:45 AM |
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01/23/2009 07:07:31 AM |
| Congrats! A beautiful Michigan pic! |
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01/23/2009 06:59:21 AM |
| congrats on the best of red |
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01/23/2009 06:55:35 AM |
THANK YOU ALL for the red ribbon and the wonderful comments, you have made my day!!
I hope people are not getting tired of this lighthouse - it is obviously one I like to vist frequently. I am trying to get as many different weather/sea conditions as I can....unfortunately the most dramatic shots are in the winter...
Drake |
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01/23/2009 06:41:42 AM |
| Congrats for the red, a gret shot :) |
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01/23/2009 06:03:09 AM |
| Great shot! Congrats on the second place! |
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01/23/2009 04:01:10 AM |
| Congrats on the red! I like the raw power in this... |
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01/23/2009 03:58:31 AM |
| Beautiful drama, detail, colours and lighting! Congratulations!!! |
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01/23/2009 03:51:40 AM |
| Definitely one of my favourites in the challenge. Congratulations on a well deserved ribbon. |
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01/23/2009 03:12:03 AM |
Wow, I'm glad I don't have to change that light bulb. :)
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01/23/2009 01:53:12 AM |
| Amazing image, congratulations on your well deserved ribbon. |
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01/23/2009 01:08:36 AM |
| definitely impressive. congrats on 2nd. |
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01/23/2009 12:51:16 AM |
| Oh, Wow! What a stunning image! Dramatic and different. Congrats, Drake, great work. |
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01/23/2009 12:44:15 AM |
| Now, THIS one, omn the other hand, I expected to see ribbon. I'm glad it did. Wonderful shot of the fury of the elements. Congrats on your red! |
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01/23/2009 12:43:04 AM |
| Beautiful shot/congratulations |
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01/23/2009 12:22:15 AM |
| Congrats, such a stunning scene. |
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01/23/2009 12:21:42 AM |
| congrats on the best of' ribbon! |
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01/23/2009 12:21:12 AM |
| This was one of my ten votes. Wonderful image, congratulations on the red ribbon! |
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01/23/2009 12:17:10 AM |
| OH! I love South Haven! Great shot. Congratulations. |
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01/23/2009 12:12:59 AM |
| Super drama....congratulations. |
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01/23/2009 12:09:22 AM |
| Yay, Michigan :) Congrats... |
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01/23/2009 12:08:48 AM |
| Loved this one I scored it really high. Glad to see it finish well. |
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01/23/2009 12:04:43 AM |
| Congrats on the red!!!! wonderful dramatic shot. |
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Comments Made During the Challenge  |
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01/21/2009 11:42:01 AM |
| Great image with all that foam and the wave breaking...or is it snow and ice? |
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01/20/2009 08:20:38 PM |
| Now THAT is cold! Love to see a different perspective of a lighthouse - brutal, cold and harsh elements. |
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01/20/2009 07:12:07 PM |
| When I first voted on this one I was not sure I liked the centered composition but the ice and water spray really changed my mind. Niely done! |
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01/20/2009 05:01:03 PM |
| Great moment; looks almost unreal. I think I'd rather see the lighthouse not so centered. |
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01/20/2009 07:15:13 AM |
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01/19/2009 11:52:46 PM |
| One of only three 10s I've given on the year's "Best" challenge... Very dramatic, for sure. I hope this does well for you. |
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01/19/2009 10:09:59 AM |
| "Cool" photo - I can feelthe cold - not too much unlike where I am now. |
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01/18/2009 09:08:35 PM |
| wow, i can't wait to read the details on this one. great shot! |
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01/18/2009 08:31:14 PM |
| this just makes me feel sooooo cold...wonderful moment...what do they do about the light being frozen over? eish... |
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01/18/2009 08:10:45 PM |
| the harsh feel of the ice, the blast of the surf, and the boil of the water in front - outstanding elements placed well together |
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01/18/2009 07:12:19 PM |
| Very nice photo. Great detail and color. 10. |
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01/18/2009 09:31:50 AM |
| Very different and beautiful lighthouse picture! |
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01/17/2009 06:32:16 PM |
| I love lighthouses, but sometimes get tired of all the usual shots. This is different and stunning. Love the bit of red left. |
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01/17/2009 04:52:24 PM |
| Love how the churning slush in the lower right came out. |
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01/17/2009 04:21:42 PM |
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01/17/2009 03:48:14 PM |
| Woah, that was cold. Very nice image, this should do well. If I could I would have the lighthouse off center....but you can't control everything |
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01/17/2009 02:31:36 PM |
| Hope you wrapped up well - good stuff |
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01/17/2009 01:46:44 PM |
| Excellent dramma. Snow, waves, colors. Everything works for me. Top 10 in my book. Good luck. |
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01/17/2009 10:52:34 AM |
| amazing drama, vibrant colours, almost looks toy like, utterly amazing but very very cold capture, well done |
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01/16/2009 11:09:51 PM |
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01/16/2009 07:10:06 PM |
I gave  a 10 and I like this one every bit as much! |
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01/16/2009 06:12:41 PM |
| Looks a tad chilly! Great shot |
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01/16/2009 06:09:33 PM |
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01/16/2009 05:19:02 PM |
| Un-f'ing believable! Can I give you a 20 instead of a 10? |
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01/16/2009 04:44:07 PM |
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01/16/2009 11:41:30 AM |
| Oh, this is Drake and that marvelous lighthouse going for another high score. You've got my ten, it's way below zero where I live today and this picture sums up how I feel. |
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01/16/2009 11:05:36 AM |
| I've seen several photos like this and I'm impressed every time. Really amazing. |
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01/16/2009 09:30:32 AM |
| That's beautiful. Has an almost impressionist painting feel to it. |
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01/16/2009 01:05:35 AM |
| I love the drama captured here and the scene itself is quite unique. Hard lighting to expose for and its captured well. |
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Lighthouse Drama
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