A walk in the fall of life, a photo from Frederiksborg, East

Photographer's Note

A stormy fall day at Tisvilde Beach and I was doing some shots of my wife and my son with the beautiful waves in the background.

I was kneeling down to get the right POV and when I looked up I saw an elderly man smiling. He had been watching us and waiting to pass as he din't want to disturb the scene.

As he walked by and further up along the beach I noticed his silhout against the sunlight, and the mood hit me that he looked just the opposite of me and my family.

I don't know if he just wanted to walk by himself or if he had no family anymore or if they were just living somewhere else, but in that moment it was just a lonely walk. Not an unhappy walk, but just a walk, a walk in the fall of his life.

Later...

I followed the advice of abulafia and have posted a workshop in B & W. A very good suggestion, as it allowed me to decrease light, increase contrast and put in a little bit more contrast, all ending up in a fine mood I think.

Thanks :-)

delic, abulafia, KevRyan, dangold, anes_lc, branley has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

quillo (11858) 2007-09-16 7:46

-

Hello Jens, I like the framing of this composition with the man walking next to the sea with aspect of walking without course, without orientation, it gives me the sensation of solitude before the immensity of the ocean.

Congratulations and a greeting.

-

delic (6735) 2007-09-16 7:47

Old man and the sea... Very moody, almost depressing, but extremely effective. Composition is top-notch with the man and his shadow in the corner. Well done, Jens. Regards,
Hakan

abulafia (4900) 2007-09-16 8:03

Hi Jens
The placement of the man is very good, and like you I like the shadow behind him.
Have you tried converting it to B+W? there isn't much color in it anyway, and maybe interesting details would appear.
Nice one
Harry

baba_flies (8829) 2007-09-16 8:31

Hello Jens! I have the same feeling as Hakan has, it gives me slight shivers on this beautiful and warm Sunday evening in Zurich. It has a depressive mood how this person walks along the beach on this mid September day, and you wonder what goes through his mind and what he has seen in his life. Your title is really beautiful and works so well with the photo. Very well done, Barbara.

smarcell (19965) 2007-09-16 10:29

Simple but very nice. I like the sharp black human figure and the raged sea. Nice choice of the light.

KevRyan (22956) 2007-09-16 10:57

This image has quite an impact on me Jens - my father who died 18 years ago now, would walk along the beach like this where he lived near Portsmouth and this chap doesn't look unlike him. I think you have caught the feel of the 'communion with the sea' at this leter stage in life really well.

best wishes kev

mferreira (198) 2007-09-16 14:52

your photo really have a sad mood. the framing and light are excelent!

SamB (1948) 2007-09-17 9:36

Hello, Jens--
i see that you've already done what was going to be the first part of my critique... a suggestion that you go B&W with it. This is a nice simplistic composition, and your framing with the man and is shadow is very effective.
Thanks!
sam

danyy (0) 2007-09-18 13:54

Bonjour Jens,
pas toujours besoin de beau temps pour profiter de la mer, on peut aussi profiter du vent, du bruit des vagues.
C'est ce que m'inspire cette phot magnifiquement cadr嶪 et aux lumi鋨es brillantes.
Excellent travail.
Regards.
Daniel.

dangold (113) 2007-10-07 5:17

Hi Jens,

That is a very touching photo indeed. You emphasized the smallness of man versus the vastness of nature, mortality vs. eternity, and solitude . Good composition choice of placing the old man on the left side.

anes_lc (14968) 2007-10-14 4:31

hi jens
great shot..i love it,the way you frame it ,the simp闤icity of the composition...great job
regards,anes

jmcl (14535) 2007-11-04 20:49

Hi Jens,

I love how the the roaring surf, the grey of the background, and the long shadow all play into your image. .. I think the workshop is even better .. very nice.

take care,

John

branley (3681) 2007-11-28 1:18

Hi Jens,

It's been a while, for which I apologise, but it's good to come back to this wonderful shot. You've caught this man and his shadow perfectly and both are well positioned in the picture. I find the frame a bit heavy but overall it's a really fine shot and well captured.

Regards

Stephen

ps. Your WS is outstanding.

greek (7594) 2008-07-21 8:48

great scen of loneliness, i love it, very nice composition,galantis