Second Day of Term Photo

Photographer’s Note

During a 3 day trip to the sea port town of Port Fairy in the South West part of Victoria, I walked around the small island, Griffiths Island, which is accessible by footbridge from the shore near the mouth of the Moyne River. As well as a very large colony of mutton birds the small island boasts this lovely little lighthouse. It was built by Scottish stone masons using bluestone in 1859, and guided vessels into the Port Fairy harbour in the Moyne River. Cottages, also of bluestone, existed until 1956, two years after the last resident lighthouse keeeper left. Later, the operation of the light was automated. Originally, the lighthouse stood on a very small separate island called Rabbit Island, but landfill has joined it to Griffith Island. On this small island I saw plenty of mutton bird burrows, wallabies feeding on Norfolk Pine leaves, flocks of Ibis and several herons; above all, strangely enough, school kids behaving themselves.

As I set up to photograph this lighthouse a group of school students and their teachers arrived; it was only the second day of the new school year, so they must have been on a camp, or perhaps an excursion from the nearby large town of Warrnambool. I thought their clothes added a bit of colour to the rocky beach.

snunney, Bruno40, JCG, Floydian, Kielia, PixelTerror, cherryripe, dabeed, phwall, chinchini, delpeoples, rginer, ChrisJ, jaywalker, gracious, Royaldevon, skippy007, fanni, gunbud, daddo, alftrek, JanD, maltese, vbbreizh, emjleclercq, westozman, Charo, Loic_bzh, bakes888, mikolaj_kawa, Wanda1, ophelcia, burraburra, ellelloo trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Greg1949 (8511) 2009-02-06 5:34

Andrew, I like light houses and this is a great shot of this one. The color and detail is crisp and real and I love it. Great capture.

Greg

snunney (35220) 2009-02-06 5:36

Hello Andrew,
A great composition, the kids do contribute to the mood. I like the way the light catches one side of the lighthouse. Very good colours and clarity. Looks a nice day to be on a field trip :-)

marjan (6085) 2009-02-06 5:54

hi Andrew, beautiful shot from beautiful place. I like litlle more sky and less ground.

Marjan

Bruno40 (6442) 2009-02-06 5:58

Hi Andrew,
I like your composition here. The people add value to the fg. the colors and contrast are right on spot.
Well done
Jorge

JCG (25617) 2009-02-06 6:07

Hi Andrew,

A wonderful natural site. The color contrasts are amazing with the black rocks that look like the volcanic stones. The light is superb and highlights the little lighthouse. A well balanced and very pleasant composition to look at. The cast of people add life to the image. I like much, thank you Andrew.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

mkamionka (4776) 2009-02-06 6:25

Very pretty seascape.
The lighthous is really cute. You got pretty nice colors with the polarizer.
Very sharp as well.
M

carper (65350) 2009-02-06 7:15

very beautiful shot Andrew,
a very good balance in a fine composition, nice settings, I like the good job here, have a good weekend.
regard jaap

Floydian (30970) 2009-02-06 7:40

Hi Andrew,

I did not noticed those people at first glance. That lighthouse draws all the attention and i like that a lot. Composition is good, maybe a bit too high for the top of the lighthouse, but the overal view and is very good. A nice balanced shot with that lighthouse and those people....

Regards,

Henk

Kielia (8625) 2009-02-06 9:01

Hi Andrew
the atmosphere of this place is really wonderful. This sight is a pleasure on a dull winterday in Northern Europe. Fantastic colors and an amazing light. The students and their colorful clothes are indeed the icing on the cake. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

dta (5733) 2009-02-06 9:19

Hello andrew ,
Great contrast between the white tower and the black boulders . Peoples add some happiness in this dramatic landscape . Wonderful light , and excellent sharpness ,too .
Regards
Denis

jemaflor (39617) 2009-02-06 9:49

Hi Andrew,
Well captured this landscape with a good place in a focal point for this lighthouse and alos an interesting human presence in the other side of your shot, good light too.

Yves-triga (3613) 2009-02-06 9:49

Hello Andrew,
A very nice post cart,
Well colors and panoramik view.
Good job.
Yves

Bianconeri78 (643) 2009-02-06 10:00

Hi Andrew,
Very nice, crisp picture with great colours in the sky. I think though that the lighthouse is a shade too high in the frame.
Best,
Jeremy

PixelTerror (86528) 2009-02-06 10:03

Hi Andrew,
Nice photo of this luminous lighthouse, well off centered, its highlights are jumping at me.
Have a nice day JY

geester (0) 2009-02-06 10:04

Hi Andrew,

It's a very interesting composition. I find myself torn between the lighthouse and the people though. Getting rid of the people would, for me at least, improve the shot. Still good though.

Graeme

MarcT (21103) 2009-02-06 10:15

Hi Andrew,
Very nice lighthouse. Beautiful colors and good inclusion of those kids playing in the rocks.
Cheers
Marc

cherryripe (19097) 2009-02-06 10:27

Hi Andrew
Lucky them having an excursion so soon. The kids do balance with the lighthouse which is so well placed. The volcanic rocks are nice and sharp.
Regards
Nikki
P.S. You better spend tomorrow indoors on TE with a fan next to you.

dabeed (359) 2009-02-06 10:52

nice shot. good pov and compo.
the people add a lot of interest to the scene.
great note.
thanks for sharing
dabeed

BennyV (4835) 2009-02-06 11:01

Hello Andrew,

On the thumbnail it looked like just another lighthouse shot, but what made it really stand out is the human presence - I really like the inclusion of people in this kind of shot and according to the title that's what the shot is all about, anyway. Good job!

Cheers.

Benny

phwall (5691) 2009-02-06 14:12

Hi Andrew,
Ah, the field trip, I used to so look forward to those school day excursions, it always meant, no maths class.
I like your composition, the off-set lighthouse, white sand and rocky area balance well.
I'll bet those kids are having a ball.
Very nicely done.
Regards
Peter

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-02-06 20:56

Hello Andrew
Nice and hot over there for you, don't fancy the more breezy Auckland with a bearable temp of 30C ;-), off myself to Cape Reinga tonight, leaving at 11pm to do a 6 hour drive to the tip of the north island to get my own version of our famous lighthouse.
The rocks are scattered perfectly in this comp with a generous offering of sand, water, sky and the human element fits perfectly in this also. Natural colours to compliment.
All the best
Jim

Waylim (11045) 2009-02-06 23:03

Andrew,
I love light house, I wouldn't not pass by one and not take a picture of it. I make a point of stopping at each lighthouse. This one is very nice, I like that there are people and children in the composition, it adds some liveliness. very beautiful and natural setting, good light, good colors and nice composition. I would have give it a 1/4 in more room on top, a little more breathing room for the light house. That is being picky though. thanks
Way

fayeulle (26547) 2009-02-07 0:47

I like the landscape aroud the light lower. I also like the way you framed this picture including people to give life.
Cheers
JP

Longroute (9635) 2009-02-07 1:23

Beside the imposing beauty of the lighthouse I like the sense of depth and the contrast given by those scattered rocks and the path to the LH. A crystal clear photo well composed and with a beautiful light that gives a summer atmosphere.
Best greetings,
Donato

chinchini (27721) 2009-02-07 2:16

Bonjour Andrew,
Encore une superbe image dans ta galerie. J'apprécie la qualité de tes publications qui est constante quelle que soit le sujet présenté. Ici, tu as parfaitement respecté les 1/3 2/3, positionné le phare au meilleur endroit et cadrant les personnages dans le coin opposé. C'est de l'excellent travail !
Mes amitiés
Pierre

delpeoples (6471) 2009-02-07 2:21

Hi Andrew, I like the positioning of the lighthouse and the kids in the FG to give it perspective and add colour and movement. THe sky is really well exposed and the colours beautifully realistic. Congrats, Lisa. PS: How hot are you? Melting here.

rginer (572) 2009-02-07 2:28

Hi Andrew,
I like this photo very very much; the lighthouse, the sea, the rocky beach, the children. Excellent composition. The right moment. Well done.
Warmest regards,
Roser

npecanhuk (14386) 2009-02-07 2:33

Hello Andrew!
What a lovely, eye-catching and beautiful picture!
The photo has excellent sharpness and exposure! I can see nicely and clearly all the details in it, with all the textures, shapes and colors! Well chosen and priviledged viewpoint for a great composition! The sea is wonderful and I like the way you placed the lighthouse on the right top corner and those people on the left bottom corner of the image! It worked perfectly! I really like it! TFS - Congratulations! Warmest regards,
Neyvan

devimeuxbe (56100) 2009-02-07 15:38

Hi Andrew
the light is amazing on this light tower. Beautifull composition and also it's nice to get the children playing.
Nice composition
Bertrand

ChrisJ (70373) 2009-02-07 15:52

Hi Andrew

My commiserations, for the horrific fires in Victoria yesterday. The frolicking children add scale to the bg lighthouse at right. Good colour & sharpness. Tfs!

jaywalker (12242) 2009-02-07 16:48

Hi Andrew, A lovely day out by the sea for the kids, the light house looks a wonderful example & is very well positioned to the top right, superb light & great focus, the colour of the sea & sky work beautifully together, A well balanced photo, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

gracious (20017) 2009-02-07 20:12

Hello Andrew,
Thank you so much for this excellent shot on the lighthouse with the best pov!
great depth here with wonderful colour and superb details!
the exposure and focus is spot one!
well done
cheers
Tony

Royaldevon (5938) 2009-02-08 2:19

Hello Andrew,

A very pleasing shot.
The lighthouse, with is imposing erect stance, is perfectly placed in shot and the elongated clouds give the illusion of a light!

There is lots of detail on the beach with the tiny triangle of grass in the f/g setting an interesting contrast. You are right, the children add colour and vitality.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

il_corsaro_nero (1367) 2009-02-08 3:31

Hi Andrew,
very well tones management in which the white is the leader together with the orange top of the lighthoue contrasting with a complementary quite blue sky. The scene is enriched by the people in the left low side. The composition appears well built up as well.
I used to have a Pentax as my first digital reflex, and I found it excellent, especially by colour performance.
Benedetto, thanks for sharing.

skippy007 (7245) 2009-02-08 15:33

Hello Andrew, I like your composition here, not sure if the children add anything but I'm certain they don't detract from it. I like the little green bush in FG, the colours, contrast & detail are as always perfect. Well balanced, maybe that's what the children add balance & a little bit of interest.
Well done Postcard quality.
Regards
Santo

fanni (8737) 2009-02-08 15:38

Hello Andrew,
beautiful view! how curious that the white colour of the lighthouse matches the white colour of the beach at the bottom of the lighthouse... those spots of white among the rocks.
It's funny but I did not make out the people at first, because it is the lighthouse itself which attracts all attention first.
It seems to me that it would be better to leave more space at the top, though... well, this is just an idea.
Best regards,
Elena

gunbud (28069) 2009-02-08 16:29

Hi Andrew,
The beautiful unique lighthouse stands out brilliantly against the lovely blue sky and its wispy clouds.
The golden dome is wonderfully flattered by the blue sky.
Love the bits of white from the surf against the lovely turquoise sea and the school kids adds nice scale to this beautiful coastal scene.
Regards, Tom

delkoo (34574) 2009-02-08 23:40

hi andrew,
Interesting image with a very well observed POV. everything is in place for a great photo (children , lighthouse).

regards
didier

Jean-Luc (5488) 2009-02-09 3:18

Bonjour Andrew,
Pour un amateur comme moi de "phares" j'ai beaucoup de plaisir à admirer celui-ci.
La composition est parfaite de même que la lumière qui rehausse la beauté sauvage de cet endroit.
Amicalement
Jean-Luc

anesugur (16934) 2009-02-10 3:30

Hello Andrew,
I like the lighthouse pictures.
Your picture is superb.
Thanks and best wishes. Uğur

daddo (11439) 2009-02-10 18:40

Hi Andrew. it could easily be somewhere in Northern Europe with the darkish sky and subdued light.Wonderful light and details. Pity the children are not more distinct as they would have been if there was some white sand in their spot. But as you say, they do add some colour to the dark rocks. Regards. Klaudio.

trekks (14332) 2009-02-12 17:10

hi Andrew

This is one of the most interesting lighthouse photos with the group of people among the scattered stones and making up a great combination for the super sky and light. Very well composed shot!

tfs, bill

alftrek (2889) 2009-02-17 18:31

Hello Andrew,

I can hardly recall anything about Port Fairy since I visited this small town back in 1983. Your photo convinced me that it is time to go there for a visit again, now with a camera.

Your have a quality photo as usual, well composed with the lighthouse and the children, good sharpness and colours. I like particularly the bit of grass in the FG to soften the predominantly dark rocky FG.

Cheers
Alfred

JanD (14995) 2009-02-20 1:07

Howdt Andrew!
Wonderful seascape and amazing lighthouse. Nice lightness. Very nice colors. Original job.
Regards!

maltese (21537) 2009-02-20 7:27

Hello Andrew
une très belle lumière sur ce paysage et un sujet que j'apprécie, les phares!!
Une très belle photo qui sent bon les vacances et l'été alors que nous ici nous sommes dans l'hiver, c'est toujours étonnant!!
Très belle réalisation
Amicalement
Hervé

vbbreizh (2622) 2009-02-24 9:35

hi Andrew,
A very nice shot ! Beautiful composition and fine managment of lights and colors.
A beautiful one...I like it !
Regards, Gilles

emjleclercq (14414) 2009-02-24 13:29

Really excellent shaprness for your lighttower view, and excellent composition with gives probably the best part to the beach, both sandy and rocky, yet leave a bit of sea and sky in the background for different colors.

All the best,

Emmanuel

westozman (2879) 2009-02-24 14:19

G'day Andrew!
Great lighting and clarity in this classic lighthouse shot - and great notes, too: the children add a bit of movement to the composition, and their coloured clothing doesn't detract too much, either - well done.
Best wishes,
Jeff

Charo (31677) 2009-02-26 15:29

Hello Andrew,
Superb composition with a sky and sea and the lighthouse splendid monitored. A beautiful summer day with these people enjoy it s ready.
Excellent light and great details.
Best regards,
Charo

Loic_bzh (7059) 2009-02-27 9:23

Hi Andrew,

I thought about you few days ago: there were a nice broadcast on french tv about Australia...

Nice summer shot very welcome during our winter times... Nice management of a very hard light.

Cheers,

Loïc

bakes888 (18295) 2009-03-04 22:32

Hi Andrew. Lighthouses are not just a beacon for boats but tend to attract photographers like moths also ;-). This is a particularly authentic looking one (bar the solar panel). Nice balance in the composition and wonderful colours. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

mikolaj_kawa (30829) 2009-03-06 3:35

Hello Andrew! Excellent POV and capture. Wonderful long perspective. Nice seascape and beautiful lighthouse. Marvelous colours. Well done!

PatyP (234) 2009-03-23 4:08

Hi Andrew
Picture with great composition.
Good and beautiful colors.
Good framing.
Regards
Patrícia

ku-fotak-chtik (1132) 2009-05-18 6:06

Hi Andrew, nice picture and composition here.
I like the idea with the childred who look a bit unorganised in the shot :)

Kind Regards Jiri

jmdias (19649) 2009-07-08 17:14

andrew

very nice view of this lighthouse, the landscape around is fantastic. I liked the way you got the people here and these rocks mixed with the white sand. perfect job

hugs

jorge

sevy (13798) 2009-07-21 5:17

Hello,

Very good photo, first by the subject as lighthouse are generally very graphic, but mainly for the management of the contrast and the composition opposing the familly with the lighthouse.
The use of polariser allowed to get a contrasted sky and so a good border between sea and sky.

Yves.

Wanda1 (11015) 2009-07-25 8:41

Hi Andrew,
I quite like the simplicity of the shot, with the lonesome lighthouse staring out over the sea and the kids just having fun amongst the rocks. It looked like a nice day.
Regards
Wanda

testmaniac (12254) 2009-08-04 3:18

Hello Andrew, great photo and place! The composition and colors are excellent! I like it very much!

TFS and best regards Andrew!

Phil

ophelcia (5494) 2009-08-04 12:25

It's my 1st tme in your gallery, and I love it, especially your intro:)
I've chosen something from Australia, you know...a bit exotic for me...
But...to my surprise, it's quite similar to my area...although the rocky stones are much bigger:)
I like the comparison of SMALL people to the stones, TFS,
Gosia

burraburra (875) 2009-08-12 1:58

G'Day Andrew,
Tracking back through your wonderful gallery.
No wonder you received great reviews for this shot.
Everyone has said everything so I have nothing to add
except, "Picture Perfect".
Regards,
Graham.

RPoole5552 (1643) 2009-08-16 16:51

I never get tired of these lighthouse photos. It seems each one is unique and has character. Good detail from highlight to shadow.

Rob

Ninello52 (3417) 2009-09-11 11:28

Ciao Andrew!
Raramente si vedono foto come questa, dove tutto è perfetto! Composizione impeccabbile, resa cromatica eccellente, ottima definizione! Il tutto è impreziosito dalla presenza dalla famigia che fa pic-nic fra le bellissime (e francamente poco adatte allo scopo!) pietre scure della spiaggia! Il colore del mare è fantastico!
Saluti, Nino.

ellelloo (4905) 2009-12-14 0:27

Hello Andrew,
A very attractive and fine photo. I like the colours and the contrast between the beautiful lighthouse and the dark sea and darkish sky. A good composition and excellent clarity. This photo is a true joy to view now when the northern hemisphere is suffering from dark and cold winter. A good note with enough information to locate the place on a map even without a map reference. :-))
Greetings from Espoo, with a thin snow cover and -11 °C now. ;-)
Lasse

Photo Information

Copyright: Andrew McRae (macondo) (13207)
Genre: Lieux
Medium: Couleur
Date Taken: 2009-02-03
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Pentax K200D, Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII, Cokin 62mm Circular Polarizer
Exposition: f/8, 1/125 secondes
More Photo Info: view
Versions: version originale
Thème(s): Phares du monde [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-02-06 5:28