Surfing in the mist, a photo from Otago, South Island

Photographer's Note

Allans Beach is situated on the Otago Peninsula, near Dunedin. The region is most famous for its wildlife - penguins and albatrosses are the main attractions of the area. As you know penguins are creatures of the antarctic region, which should give you an idea of the temperature of the sea here :)

I went for a walk to see if I could spot some wildlife, but before I could see anything else I spotted this lone surfer coming back in from the waves. I love the misty feeling evoked by the harsh light and the spray...

Location: Allans Beach

P.S. If you're interested you can buy prints of this shot here!

bunsongpayat oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

Darren (6823) 2003-06-08 12:46

This is a very, very good photo. I think your sense of composure was excellent. Unfortunately, I think it is just a little overexposed. I think a stop less would be preferable. Very good overall.

[2]

gringofil (0) 2003-06-08 12:54

I do agree that this image is stunning. Your composition here is incredible. Everything is where it's supposed to be...but I also agree that it's a bit overexposed. Anyway, I love it. Very well done!

[2]

philip_coggan (11) 2003-06-08 13:28

Nice simple composition and attractive tones. I did a little workshop - maybe pointless - let me know what you think.

(And I have a monk picture for you - my latest upload - I know how you love them).

[workshop] [compare]

Porteplume (4036) 2003-06-08 13:37

It's odd, but I don't know why I would have liked it better if the man was going to the water instead of coming back... But then you should have more sea and less beach & dunes.
Oh well! ;-)
I just like the feeling of the soft tones and misty atmosphere...

[3]

dovi (1068) 2003-06-08 13:45

The soft tones and the windy feeling is what makes me klike this shot, I agree that the colors could have been more vivd a bit!

[2]

ornis (1271) 2003-06-08 17:55

Beautiful image, highly enhanced by the surfer who really makes it. He lets you stay enough on the image to discover the subtle composition with the mist around the dunes and the hills.

[3]

CedarBough (74) 2003-06-08 19:04

So the surfer is your wildlife? Hmmm... I can get that...

This is the best shot you've uploaded (so far as I can remember without going back and looking at every one of them again).

Everything works, the colors, the placement in the frame of the surfer, the bit of water, the background... you've made not a single mistake! It doesn't appear overexposed to me. Great job!

thien (2112) 2003-06-08 19:25

This is so lovely. Too busy admiring it to find fault. One of my favorites.

fredleal (54) 2003-06-08 21:44

Awesome sorta 60's shot!

bmckenzie (517) 2003-06-09 2:17

Great shot. Would a polarizer have helped give the sky a little more punch? The otherwise deserted beach makes for a good composition. I wonder how many people viewing the image know how cold that water is? This is the "Deep South" Pacific - think along the lines of Antarctic currents... shame a seal didn't creep into the shot to tell the whole story. Then you would have got your wildlife as well ;-)

[3]

adam (860) 2003-06-09 2:51

Great photo of lone surfer, the overall feel is enhanced by the slight over-exposure. I like how you captured his entire shadow, reaching back towards the waves. :)

[2]

sita4ram (814) 2003-06-09 4:32

ah, wonderful. I can see by the number of critics you got, that there isnt much to add, but I couldnt ignore this wonderful shot. really well done :)
I love the mist. it makes the whole shot dream like looking.

[2]

Luko (14000) 2003-06-09 6:10

Great, I already noticed it in your website, one of my favorite pics in your URL.
Love the subject and the way it is shown here, on a windbeaten beach. Dunedin surfing, it should be challenge, I'm wondering if there are any surfers in Invercargill...

Maybe, just maybe, would have been even odder without any remaining of water shown.

[2]

mcreider (673) 2003-06-09 17:01

Excellent by many criteria

xevi (591) 2003-06-11 11:22

Perfect shot, I like a lot the misty atmosphere than you have got.

Motrem (2392) 2003-07-01 20:18

Real impact, your composition and the atmosphere of your photo are striking. A very good shot.
Bravo!

touristdidi (8583) 2003-07-08 5:24

Nice, my sons surf. It has the feel..... almost unreal feel of a lone surfer, the dream to have had the surf for only you....

kooki (556) 2003-08-13 8:46

Tres delicate Foto...
Espace embrun ...

mitternacht (1839) 2003-11-09 17:53

Beautiful colors and scenery, well seen and extremely well composed.

gaijin (398) 2003-12-16 8:35

Great shot. I love the eerie feeling of the nature around him. Congratulations !

robiuk (10807) 2004-01-21 19:50

Divine! Surfer is well exposed and makes a subject here. Colour of the sand almost reflects in a grass edge of the beach - that it mixes with the hot air and extends up above to the hill.
Very warm and descriptive!
Bravo, Adrian!

zto (268) 2004-03-14 13:27

Beautifull Adrain. I like the softness in it. Soft colours and soft contrast. Compositionis very nice.

desman (2222) 2004-04-02 15:49

Superbe, on dirait une pub pour un parfum masculin

centurion (0) 2004-07-19 10:40

The WS is also amazing. Difficult to say what is better.

Windsurfeuse (90) 2004-08-27 3:19

Superbe composition ... jaime beaucoup le surfeur au milieu de nul part !! Bravo !!

France (125) 2004-09-18 8:57

Bonne lumičre basse et tardive, l'ambiance rose et brumeuse est bien capturée. Surfeur bien placé dans un point fort de l'image et dans une position esthétique. Beau respect de la rčgle des 1/3 - 2/3. Bref du beau travail, clair et net. Impeccable.

[2]

dasilva (141) 2004-10-05 8:29

This photo is really great. Strange light that makes this photo like a dream :)

danbachmann (1746) 2004-12-19 12:41

Though it is a little bright, this adds to the dream like effect of the mist and the surfer out of water and on a quest.

liakos (988) 2004-12-21 6:05

Fantastic atmosphere! The background looks like it is constructed with a computer program, great! Your composition is beautiful taken in the right place the right time. I like it a lot.

Galmeida (12559) 2005-02-14 8:41

Coments: Thanks for your link to my Surfer post and for your interessant critique. Only one thing, you say "To be honest I'm surprised to see a surfboard - the water looks very calm from this angle!". It's possible to say this, but in my page and Sea series the first of this last 5 shots, shows the global beach where was taken, and also the waves with the surfers. You possible only saw this one, so it's correct. Thanks :))

Critique: Great perspective and enquadrement in a nice composition for "Surfers".

Well done and thanks for sharing!

ydarias (679) 2005-05-02 22:36

Hi Adrian. Very good photo. I like very much your composition and the illumination. This is a perfect photo for surfer rule or other surf publications. Good job.

Active (56) 2005-10-17 7:21

Like a poster!!!
Good shot with nice scenery!
What can I say? maybe this: 'WONDERFULL'!!!
rgds
Barbara (new on TE)

magnier (988) 2005-11-19 14:43

Really exellent, I love colours ! Great !

Florian

blakitan (1311) 2006-05-29 2:36

Hi Adrian,
This is a sharp picture for almost monochromatic brown color. Allocate a larger space in front of moving object (the surfer) in a good idea. Great picture.

Ben Lakitan

Robpulp (917) 2006-11-14 17:13

Hi adrian

great photo!!! i love the mosty and the grainy look to the image. i have surf photo sof a similar focal point that i think you would like.

good work

robpulp

nicoz (1979) 2007-02-15 6:30

HI Adrian,
This photo's pretty nice! In fact I used to surf quite a lot and still do (but less noe that I am in UK...).
This photo has the feeling get when I go out of the water in a remote place, it's freezing cold, I'm tired, it aches, but am soooo happy. Just being outdoors, in the sun, in the ocean...
Haaa surfing...
Besides the aesthetics, your photo has all these feelings in it!
I like it!
Nicolas

denizliburak (43) 2012-07-03 15:43

selam selam AdrianW.
Fotoğrafın gerçekten güzel ama bana göre biraz fazla pozlanmış gibi belkide tozlar belli olsun diyedir.
Sörfçünün arkasındaki sular olmasa enteresan bir foto olurmuş çölde sörf.
saygılar.

smash2707 (3320) 2012-12-08 17:00

Very nice composition. I love the mist and the soft colors. TFS