....Just Because...., a photo from Ontario, Centre

Photographer's Note

here comes my 142 upload to this site which I am not completely happy about (this somewhat in relation to one of the recent threads about self-critiquing), and since many are able to celebrate their 300, 500 or 1000 uploads I decided to celebrate my 142, just because my next round number my not come for few months or most likely years.

I know what to think of this photo, but since I value the opinion of my friends here I am always happy to listen, you guys always come up with something I haven't seen or noticed before.

Why do we do the things we do, is there always a reason, where is the limit of why, what and what for. After taking the photo I approached the gentleman and asked the most intelligent question. Why? Why are you doing this? I watched him for good few minutes before hand and it was quite fascinating, was he having an internal fight, practising for the Olympics, Zen or Yoga,.... none of that, in his own words he did that because felt like doing it, not particular reason, no meditation or demons to fight, it just felt good and it was the right place and time.

Nice guy.

isabela_sor, Galeota, Luko, eleparc, markoci, Isabelle trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

abanibi (749) 2007-11-02 14:05

Hi Peter! Well, I still don't know what he's doing... Is that a sword? A stick? And the white thing on the water? Maybe the problem is the photo is a bit too small to appreciate what's going on. And the white points in the sand, noise maybe?
I like the colour of the sea and the contrast between sand, water and sky And I think I'd go even farther and crop most of the sky (which is a bit washed out); or go to the other extreme and make it vertical (and bold). Anyway it sort of reminds me of Rothko, but with a very theatrical element added (the man, hat, gloves and all).
TFS, and kind regards.
Inés

Furachan (0) 2007-11-03 2:31

Now the simplicity is here, Peter, I'll grant you that, bddy, but so is the indefinable poetry that chracterizes most of yur work, and that is something no one could teach you, nor can anyone emulate it. It is a gift...
Against this beautiful background as in "Pierrot le fou" by Godard, a man gesticulates like Quixote on the beach, chasing ghosts, dragons or wondmills. Dutile, noble, beautiful...
What do I know?
Take care,
Francis

designsoul (17843) 2007-11-03 6:19

Peter, imagine if UFOs existed and could communicate with us when they land on Earth. How could they possibly fathom why on earth we hold this black big object in front of our eyes and make a strange sound, go home, and run to a bigger object to slide something from it in it and then look at a big screen? All is our enigma, our mysterious dream, this whole play of the world... but your play here, taking a shot of that of the man, is particularly mysterious and beautiful. The moment is precious, his lean body curving nicely towards his game--of what? Don't know either... you have framed him beatifully in this sparse but beautiful surrounding. Lake Ontario looks like the sea.
And I dream on...
sasa

isabela_sor (47748) 2007-11-03 7:13

Maybe I am crazy,but I love this image,It reminds me about "Don Juan DeMarco" movie...In this world we can be what we want to be ...And not only for this,but see,I think your image is perfect as composition,the levels are so clearly delimited and the man is the connection between sky,water,and earth...he is life ...
In my favorites...just because ....
Thanks

Have a nice weekend

Galeota (10352) 2007-11-03 9:44

Peter, the subject is definetely interesting but I really don't think you've brought out the best in it..and in you, with your photograph. You're not close enough. Actually, I don't mean you're not physically close enough (this could have been taken with a safari tele lens, what would I have cared...), but the guy should occupy the frame in a more significantly way, even though the purpose is to let the story unfold in front of your eyes without any interaction. Ok, suppose you still wanted to remain anonimously far, with a religious geometrical respect of traditional photo rules (as thirds, aso)..at least make in sort that the horizon, the shore and the background are perfectly parallel for a full effect. It simply isn't working for me, and I've seen you turning reality into poetry much more effectively than you did this time. A shame, because his pose is great.

maciekda (19895) 2007-11-04 4:51

love it, the moment here rocks - very surreal, the photo is very well composed, very aesthetic work

Darren (6823) 2007-11-04 7:43

Hi Peter. I like this, but don't love it. It is a nice, simple composition with lots of negative space. Nothing really to complain about, other than to say that I wouldn't mind a little crop from the left. The downside to this shot for me is nothing technical, just that to me it seems a little formulaic maybe. I do like the simplicity, but going simple always runs the risk of unexplored territory maybe. Anyways, just some red wine ramblings on a nice shot.

Luko (14000) 2007-11-04 8:04

Only a freak like you, Peter, could have spotted the character who inspired Jim Carrey's acting in his biography movie "The Mask" (thanks for coming out with this important document where we discover that the Mask was a true story).

The mystery is getting deeper, almost every of your pictures tells a story about a weirdo, a life delusioned person or someone closely related to the Adams family.. I wonder what's ACTUALLY the percentage of your shots focused on this specific topic.

Your answer is important, Peter. We must know whether it's safe to pass through Toronto or if at least they have a protected area for transit passengers, in case some member is forced to land there (I cannot seriously write "chooses to spend some time in TO").

nerve (10231) 2007-11-04 22:29

its good that you kept the guy below the horizon.. and i like the feeling of his attempt to grab the h.line..

nice, good graphics, and kind of surreal..a modern Don Quichotte maybe.. ;)
cheers.

eleparc (24063) 2007-11-06 7:36

ok Peter, i just celebrated my 1000th posts but does that say anything? No! come on don't be jealous! i'll probably never reach much more...I have missed a lot of your recent shots but intend to catch up now! I am sure you can come up to 150 easily! you are just a few clicks from there!;-)

Having said that, you definitely found a UFO (Refer Sasa)! the hat, the wooden sword, the set, you had everything for a good weirdo photo (refer Luko!). I really like this scene so unlikely to happen in real life! Although... I like people doing things just because they felt like doing it , as long as it does not hurt or offense other people.
cheers
Eric

markoci (3933) 2007-11-07 8:45

yes very surreal and the notes (the story) goes well with it... great the way the whole environment looks like a huge canvas with the master "working it"... i don't agree with gal at all, in fact if anything he could even be "smaller" for me... perhaps "loving" it is a too strong for me too, but i'm definitely much closer to it than darren... (you must have quite a collection from the beaches by now)