Winter Surfer, a photo from Pembrokeshire, Wales

Photographer's Note

I haven't posted anything here in quite a while, so I thought I'd rectify that with this shot that I took last weekend on Newgale Beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
It was a stunning winter morning, and the beach was busy with people flying kites, excited dogs and kids splashing around. Newgale is also popular with surfers, even in winter. I suppose the waves are bigger at this time of year.
I've been really impressed with the Canon S90 - easily the best digital compact camera I've used so far. I converted this shot to B&W using Nik Silver Efex Pro.

diverjohn, Wanda1, bostankorkulugu oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

diverjohn (544) 2010-01-21 15:13

Excellent exposure and contrast. Even though the horizon is at the half-way mark, your subject is 1/3 from the edge, which seems appropriate for this scene.
Good image from a point-and-shoot for sure

pauloog (11751) 2010-01-21 19:55

Hello Ben,
A strong photo marked by the dark human profiles against a misty backgroundo of softer grey tones.
A fine result indeed with yur compact camera, although there is quite some noise. A lot of cropping maybe or the sharpening or the use of high ISO ? Any idea ? I would be curious to know.
Regards,
Paul

westcoastgirl1 (666) 2010-01-21 21:22

Hi Ben

Cool
Gritty
Good choice to show this in black and white
Great silhouette of the surfer

TFS,
Tosca

batalay (41261) 2010-01-21 22:50

Hello Ben,

This is a beautifully composed shot, clearly a case of a skillful photographer equipped with a good camera. It's good to have your endorsement of the Canon S90.

Warm regards,

Blent

smarcell (19965) 2010-01-21 23:03

The B&W was a good choice. I like the black silouhette over the mist of the background.
The composition is very accurate
Regards Stefano

wolf38 (30) 2010-01-21 23:11

Hello Ben. Surfers on the beach. A strong black and white photograph. Contrasts, light, etc. are best. My compliments for this excellent photo. Regards, Wolfgang.

afroditi (731) 2010-01-22 5:04

Hi Ben!
Beautiful composition of picture and good choice black and white!Nice frame and good point of reception!!!
afroditi

Jeppo (17645) 2010-01-22 9:43

hi ben,

stunning shot..I like the sharp counterlight contrasting with the foggy landscape....

black and white works great here!
ciao
silvio

Bartleby (13552) 2010-01-22 14:18

Hey Ben,
long time no see...I love this B&W of yours. Seems like this S90 keeps its promises. Great compo anyhow, with lots of breathing space. I wonder if a sqaure format would work as well here...I'll try and do a WS...Also, I was curious about the Silver Efex thingy...did you use it as an independant software or as a Plug-in (for Lightroom for example..) It seems to me that it does the same kind of thing as LR, am I right or is it more powerful?

Best,

Philippe

Wanda1 (15142) 2010-01-23 2:53

Hi Ben,
a nice moody one, I like the silhouettes heading off into different directions. I think the graininess adds to the mood. Nicely composed too with all that space on the one side it gives a sense of space and freedom..
Regards
Wanda

broglia (3604) 2010-01-24 13:01

Very strong image Ben. Great silhouettes and reflections. Love the feeling of space you've created by having all the figures on the left. B&W the perfect choice.

Best regards, Roberto

sadeik (3282) 2010-01-29 14:35

Thats an excellent image, good silhouettes and the mist is superb. Needless to say that black and white was the right choice. Lost all my b&w film I took in Kyrgystan still gutted lost it in the post so digital does look a good choice at the moment

Simon

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2010-01-29 16:51

i dont know exactly why but i love this shot... may be because it has got just the right amount of everything...

cheers

korkut

Coolka (0) 2010-01-30 1:41

Hi Ben,

It reminds me a place in my country , where people surf in the summer and in the winter - snowkite.
Three human elements plus the shadow makes the photo very interesting.
Nik Silver Efex Pro works here excellent.

Cheers
Joanna

zoomer (6) 2010-03-09 15:56

B+W works great here and the mist rising obscures the horizon beautyfully while defining it against the black hills.The figures fit well into the scene.Regards Wolf.

JFS (32459) 2010-03-15 23:29

Hi Ben,

It can be any beach in the world but it does not matter, what matters is the great shot. Congratulations!

Regards,
Juan

omerozden (1259) 2010-06-26 14:52

hello ben,
this looks really nice.
very nice bw tones support the mood.
warm regards,
omer

svefay (810) 2010-06-26 14:58