Sunsets over the Adriatic shows two images captured at Tucepi in Croatia two years ago. Tucepi is not far from Makarska, which itself is not far from Split where you fly to. Every night we had a sunset like this. Both images have the island of Brac in the background. You can get a day trip to the islands of Brac and Hvar not far off the coast. One of the images is framed by the ever present pine trees. The trees cloak the beach and provide shade as you walk along the promenade in the hot sun.
Koala competition success. Mike achieved two successes in a world-wide photography competition recently. The theme for the competition was “Australia”. There were 441 entries in total. The successful images are below. The one of the Koala bear playing “peep ho” came 17th (meaning it was in the top 4%) and the one of the Cooking Cave at Uluru came 32nd (meaning it was in the top 7%). So in the end, well chuffed!
Koala competition success. Koala playing peep ho at Werribee ZooThe cooking cave Uluru
Compass photography will be returning to publishing image of the week again from this week onwards and updating the website shortly.
I am currently indexing some of my old photographs and I
found this 2012 image of the little people in Warnamunde. We went there for
half a day when the cruise ship stopped in Rostock.
The sculpture is actually a fountain. This fountain is unique in that it’s not a spouting fountain. The fountain is linear and water runs alongside a procession of 19 bronze figures. The sculpture is based on an actual practice in Warnemunde. The citizens, dressed in their finery, walked together to the tax office to pay their taxes. They wanted to make it a happy event. The website says this event still takes place in Warnemunde. It reminded me of the borrowers, hence “the little people in Warnamunde”. Click here for more details
Madeira magic, three images from last week’s visit to Madeira. Two images are at sunrise, which in October is mercifully late! One image shows the mirror like hotel pool with reflections of the palm trees and rails. Leading lines to the palm trees come from the rails.
Funchal Sunrise
Sunrise along the coast
Funchal from Pico dos barcelos
The second sunrise image was captured from the promenade below the hotel. The white building and the palm trees are silhouettes against the cloud and rising sun. The bonus in this image is the Cunard liner Queen Victoria creeping into Funchal harbour. I did not see the ship until I was looking at the images in the hotel room after breakfast.
The third image shows Funchal from one of the viewing points high above the town. You can get to Pico dos barcelos on a long and tortuous bus ride that has lots of nice views along the way. Images can be captured from the viewing point here around 360°. There its a lot to see here. Madeira magic, three images from last week’s visit to Madeira.
The west coast of Eire is rightly christened The Wild Atlantic Way. The cliffs are spectacular and the scenery is beatiful. The waves roll relentlessly into crash against the rocks. There are some “famous” locations on the Wild Atlantic Way for photography, however, there are many other locations with great views and less tourists. Here you can enjoy the view and the sounds of the sea in peace and quiet, almost!
Near Bishop’s Island Loop Head Peninsular
This image was captured south of Killee on the cliffs of the Loop peninsular. Bishop’s island is seen on the left, approaching the land like and aircraft carrier. The wide angle lens has “stretched” the sky, although it allows us to see much more of the coast. Winding steep single track roads got us to this vantage point, sometimes right on the cliff edge!
Incoming Pelican! Shru captured this Great White Pelican at Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Great White Pelican
It’s a simple shot to capture. The incoming pelican has its wings out and is gliding in a wide turning circle in a clear sky to land nearby.
The bird’s wing span can range from 2.5 to 3 metres. These birds are so majestic! As the pelican circles, the individual feathers on both the leading and trailing edges of the wings are clearly visible. You also get the feeling that the beady eye is searching for the landing spot!
The quayside of the overseas passenger terminal on a December night is the location of “Steely grey Sydney nights”. This is an unusual angle from which to see Sydney harbour bridge. It does not actually go over the top of the passenger terminal it’s quite a way behind. The harbour bridge monstrously dominates the image with two flags at the top of the coat hanger! The title, “Steely grey Sydney nights”, originates from the almost industrial colours in the darkness. The bridge’s far tower, the scattering of people and other dots of colour break away from the steely grey colours. There are leading lines of lights, balustrades and tracks on the floor.
I was surprised to be able to walk about this area. A cruise liner in port might have made a difference. Or is it that passengers use the telescopic walkway and avoid the quayside? Sydney Opera House is across the water 90 degrees on the right of the image.
Equipment: Sony SLT-A65V, Tamron 16-300mm
Settings F4.5, 1/30, ISO 6400
Coat hanger bridge dominates Sydney Passenger Terminal
Shru’s adventure in India lasted for two weeks in December 2018. This iconic building has been on her ‘bucket list’ for a very long time.
Taj Mahal
It was her first time touring the ‘golden triangle’ since she was 4! The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum made from marble. The guide informed Shru that the white marble changes colour depending on the light. Further, the minarets on the four corners are built slightly angled outwards. This prevents them collapsing on the tombs in the event of an earthquake!
This shot was chosen from the many many captured as the reflection in the water feature is shown this famous building in a different view. There is movement in the water but the building is still recognisable.
Poised for Nectar. The Moorish gardens in the palace grounds of the Alhambra is our location here.
The gardens were full of sweet-smelling orange blossom when this shot was captured. It seemed as if every colour rose you can think of was carpeting the ground. Honey bees are feasting on these Heirloom Poppies in the image. The bee is caught hovering in mid-air approaching the nectar in the centre of the flower.
The fine lines of the flower act as leading lines drawing the eyes into the centre of the shot. The cupped shape of this flower holds the attention of the viewer within. The vibrant colour of the flower and the action shot of wild life further captivates the interest. Look carefully and you’ll see the nectar on the petals
Night lights – Sydney Australia. Captured under the lea of Sydney Opera House, this image has been cropped to portrait from landscape. The crop to portrait is important for two reasons. Firstly, it cut out a dark uninteresting area of harbour water. Secondly, the effect of the lamps and tall buildings is heightened and they are emphasised by the portrait format.
Sydney at night from the Opera House
The view looks back toward the city from the promontory where the opera house is. It shows the tall offices and hotels, their lights and the smoky red coloured light pollution hanging over the city. A quick rain shower had cleared the quayside of people. Everyone had dived under the Opera House overhang to shelter. I nipped out with the tripod, camera and remote set up to capture the shot. Until I returned to the UK I didn’t realise what a nice shot this was.
Reflections and leading lines
The glowing orbs of the sentinel pavement lights form a line leading the eye back towards the city. The rain on the pavement additionally allows a glistening reflection of the lights to form another leading line. This complements the “dash-dash” line formed by the paving slabs.
This was a December night and one of my first attempts at night time photography. In the UK it would have been cold then. However, even with the rain a jumper was all you needed down under at that time of the year.
I have a version of this image as a 20” x 30” canvas and it looks great!
