Break of Day

One of my favorite areas in New Zealand. But not the sunrise I imagined when I got up early for a long drive in the dark. Stil,l an atmospheric view. Shot at Nugget Point during intermittent rain. The wind was blowing so hard, I eschewed the tripod and cranked the ISO up to 800. Handheld, 5D 24-105 L.


I value your constructive criticism.

Nathaniel,

First let's start of by saying FABULOUS!
This is the land, as a boat, riding the water.

More to say!

Just enjoying your photograph for now and so no critique beyond my feelings and the impression I felt of being on a boat!

Asher

I fully agree with Asher - wonderful image!

I was there 2 1/2 years ago, same location, but heavy fog made it difficult for me to even see it, let alone photograph it!

Well done!

Hello Nathaniel

Beautiful shot, I wish I was there to walk up to the end of the path......

My feeling and thoughts on your picture.

This picture is obviously strikingly beautiful. However, there is more than great breaking sky and emerald water around a lighthouse. This picture assumes a more complex presence. The land itself takes on an energy of importance as if it is the main player. In fact, the land has transformed into a powerful open vessel moving out towards the open water.

The “ship” comes in not centered but more on the right side just like a the water is moving it under it’s control, we have to safely pass the rocks on the right, and we feel she’ll make it.

The path has a fence with posts and safety wires not unlike the rails on a boat. The path winds ahead and then takes an S curve up and around the light house, like the lantern of boats that fish at night.

If we take just one extra step of fantasy and possibility, the picture represents us, life itself, with a purpose but subject to the whims of forces greater than our selves. That small peninsula is our boat and we are on our journey. Perhaps, we should be nice to others traveling with us.

Thanks for sharing this very simple but inspiring image.

Asher

Very nice! It makes me want to walk along that path and feel the wind and smell the air.

Excellent work!

<Chas>

Does the boat metaphor work for anyone else, or is it just for me?

Asher

Asher,

The boat metaphor is excellent. Thanks for taking the time to analyze this photo. You can definitely make the case, ... in retrospect. If I went back again, I would probably have the boat metaphor in firmly mind and it might well effect how I approached the photographic situation. But that is the kind of introspective approach one can only take when visiting a location on multiple occasions. In fact, I visited Nugget point 3 times on this trip because I was so taken with its photographic potential. In this case, I was continually responding to the scene and the weather conditions were changing, literally by the moment. Nugget point is a fairly large area requiring a walk down a hillside trail, about 1/2 mile. As one continues down the path, there is an emotional response to the changing scene, it is only later that a more intelectual response is possible (for me).

Asher,

I have now printed this photo at 18x12" As the size increases, the perspective is sharpened, and the separation between land and sky increased making the boat metaphor more apparent.

Thanks

One day, maybe I'll get one! where are you located?

Asher

Difficult to resist a "me too" post. Great shot. If it were in my portfolio, I'd print it and frame it.
-Greg