Rooster Tail, a photo from Florida, South

Photographer's Note

Pulled by a motorboat near Tampa Bay, Florida, a waterskier kicks up a rooster tail as he swings wide of the boat. The boat and skier were found on Lake Tarpon, a fresh water lake on Florida's Gulf Coast. Although it was wintertime, the weather this day was perfect. The water temperature may have been a bit cool, as evidenced by the wetsuit the skier was wearing, but for us on the shore, it was just right.

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Critiques | Translate

MoosicMan (1231) 2005-02-22 0:24

Robert,
I like this shot, you have stopped the action quite well with a 1/2000th shutter, and the picture is cropped well. Possibly might have been more compelling taken from the opposite POV, so you could see his face? Then again, I'm guessing you weren't in radio contact with the boat! Nicely done,
Good luck,
Matt

LoneWolfREV (100) 2005-02-22 11:42

Nice action shot. Great POV that gives the shot more life and movement.

pedros (328) 2005-03-04 10:53

Fantastic Shot!
Very well taken.
Good Job!

steveegg (418) 2005-04-04 5:22

This is a very dynamic shot and personally think it works pretty well with the skier looking away and seeing the faces of the people in the boat. The frozen wake gives a real sense of speed and power; I've never heard of it being called a rooster tail, but it's very expressive.

I like the composition and the almost letter box format works well with the shape of the wake. I think there's also another shot in here where you crop away the boat and a little off the top. This would just leave the skier at the edge of the frame on the end of a long rope. It would ensure that the focus of attention was clearly in place - the skier, retain the wake for a sense of speed and leave the viewer wondering what the rope is attached to as a bit of a sense of mystery. Just a thought.