Quite incredible, really... but the windsurfer was actually speeded up by dint of some post-processing. The board wake spray is a dead giveaway... and an intent...
Read more
Quite incredible, really... but the windsurfer was actually speeded up by dint of some post-processing. The board wake spray is a dead giveaway... and an intentional one, too! ;)
Read less
Read less
Views
536
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Surf's Up Photo Challenge
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Superior Skill
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Top Ranks
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
Photo was made in the river Neretva Delta (Southern Adriatic, Croatia).Time
May 25th, at 18:10 PMLighting
Perfect seaside daylight, maybe even additionally purified by the strong northwesterly. No other lightsources were required.Equipment
The camera was a SONY R-1, using exposure of 1/640th sec, f/8, ISO 160, with 71.5mm focal length of its built-in lens. I was shooting out of hand, and with reference to said elements, it was simple and easy.Inspiration
The very location is an inspiration in itself, Neretva Delta being an enchanting place. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neretva_Delta The wide river enters the sea in a deep bayou formed between the mainland coast and the Peljesac peninsula. It deposits its load of sands forming interesting sandbars there, before swerving westward. This geography is funneling the prevailing local winds ideally; across the area. Windsurfers use such strong and stabile air movement to run in and out of the river mouth (from freshwater to brine and back) with considerable speeds. They can take a rest: on the sandbars in the sea, and also along the river banks. The strained colorful sails and their addicts combine very nicely with the natural hues, and are pure, undiluted pleasure to photograph.Editing
I have "smeared" the windsurfer and his board artificially, so as to augment the impression of speed over the water. You can see this from the Exif data where the eposure and ISO values are evidently sufficient to freeze the action, but also in the different rendering of the sailboard vs. that of its wake. This was left unsmeared on purpose, to "test the faithful" - sharp-eyed photographers will spot the manipulation. To create this effect I used Corel PhotoPaint, masking off the sailboard and then applying horizontal, leftward-reaching "wind" distortion.In my camera bag
I'm using a photo vest, organizing its many pockets to normally contain the following: one main camera, one spare (waterproof) camera, spare batteries, some ND and CPL filters, a camera clamp (instead of tripod), a length of paracord, a pocket knife, and a lighter. Those can be used for lots of improvisations when and where the need arises. I'll have a lightweight poncho in the vest's big back pocket (for sudden weather change), and if I plan on being out for the whole day, I'll cram in a sandwich or a chocolate bar, together with a small water bottle. I feel the photo vest can quite well replace a photo bag. It distributes the total weight better, is quicker to use, and in all, makes for an easier walk.Feedback
The Neretva Delta is a place well worth either a visit or the whole holiday. One can find an incredible wealth of themes, especially for landscape photographers - blue and golden hours are phenomenal! Organize your stay in Opuzen, Ploce, or Ston (Dubrovnik isn't far too), and simply enjoy! Take along all the focal length lenses you have - there will be, beside landscapes, also many historical locations, and a lot of birds to photograph. Also count on unforgettable boat rides to floating isles (literally!), and between agricultural fields cut out of the sediment in the Delta's vast area.