marine photography

A fleet in black and white

/ Bill

I’ve been using the ‘crop’ tool, trying to give the impression of a large fleet moving slowly across a frame where the only fixed point is a snatch of land in the bottom left hand corner of some of the images. Obviously a video clip would do it, but I like the black and white, the reflection of sunlight on the water, the contrast in the sails.

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This is the tall ships fleet off Falmouth in August 2014.

(Images by Bill Whateley)

Marine photography

/ Bill

4 – Black and White

I am an eldest child. The problem with being an eldest child is that they like to stay first . . . meaning they like to get-things-right!  . . . which is a complete pain because they don’t always get things right! I guess it makes them try harder – but then the second and third siblings are already doing that. My tongue trembles in my cheek – I don’t mean to make it sound like a competition. It’s more the way life is.

I find photography like that. I like to get it right and when I don’t I’m pretty fed up . . . but it does make me try harder. The problem is that few of us have instant talent. Most of us spend our lives struggling to reach some level of competence – struggling to be good enough . . . then a bit better.

I thought I’d take three colour images that I wasn’t happy with and see what they look like in black and white. I’m happy with the subjects. The problem is technique.

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They are better in black and white.

(Images by Bill Whateley)

A Passage into Cornwall

/ Bill

11 – Falmouth Working Boats racing

I arrived in Falmouth around the middle of the day. The wind was quite strong and the water taxi not keen to go out, so I spent a very useful hour or two in the library at the Maritime Museum.

Out to the boat about 1600. The wind was easing. Early evening I had a privileged position. I only wish my photography was up to the evening light.

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