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Shipmates of Bontekoe
Shipmates of Bontekoe
Azrifel


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Perspective (Classic Editing)
Camera: Fujifilm FinePix S602Z
Location: Houten Hoofd, Hoorn, The Netherlands
Date: Feb 9, 2003
Aperture: F11
ISO: 160
Shutter: 1/60s
Galleries: Still Life, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Feb 9, 2003

 Meet Hajo and Padde, two of the three shipmates of Bontekoe. They sit next to the Hoofdtoren (see "Council sells 1532 defence tower"
, you can see Padde and Rolf on that photo as well) overlooking the harbour of Hoorn. Rolf is the third shipmate, Bontekoe is their captain.

In 1618 they left from this harbour for a three year voyage to Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia) aboard the Niew-Hoorn (VOC ship). Almost at the end of the voyage Padde accidentily sets fire to the ship and it blows up (gun powder for the canons). They wash ashore on a remote Indonesian Island, but manage to reach Batavia and go back to Hoorn. It is a story by Johan Fabricious and it is based on real events. I have read it four times as a kid and it is still a wonderful story.

I made 57 exposures of several subjects and altough some of the other subjects look cleaner this one has the best story. I hope the image shows it to some extent.

Camerawork: Fill flash, autofocus, autowhitebalance, aperture priority and handheld.

Digital Processing: The original color exposure looks pretty bad and there is that ugly hotspot (an orange spot lamp) that I would love to have spot edited away, but couldn't. Here is what I did:
* 90 degree ccw rotation
* Color balance, upped the yellow 30 (=blue -30) to create an orange filter effect prior to the black and white conversion
* Channel mixer 60 red, 30 green and 30 blue. That makes 120% of intensity, creating a better exposed look and making levels unnecesary
* Cropped in several stages
* Resampled
* USM 180, .4, 1
* Canvas increasement of 10 pixels with black
* Save for the web at 100% jpeg quality

Statistics
Place: 57 out of 94
Avg (all users): 5.5377
Avg (commenters): 7.0000
Avg (participants): 5.6029
Avg (non-participants): 5.4211
Views since voting: 1228
Votes: 106
Comments: 10
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Olympus E-510
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for Olympus
 02/18/2003 05:24:36 AM
Greetings from the Critique Club
By Inspzil

First off, that is far and away the longest comment I've ever seen regarding a picture. It will most likely be longer than my critique.

Composition - I think you could've focused solely on the statue and gotten a good image. The statue is my favorite part of this image. Unfortunately I can't stop looking at the white spot on his left foot where it looks like once there was a toe. The spotlight on top of the wall keeps catching my attention now and again. That would've been a nice thing to spot edit out as you said above. The building looks huge, which I'm sure is what you were going for. I like the overall composition and the choice of black and white is very good. I think this might be a little dark for my taste though.

Technical - This does look a little dark but if you lightened it up any I think you might lose the sky. The photo looks pretty clear with good DOF. Fill flash looks like it was a good idea, but that might be where the white spot on the toe came from. Processing - Overall I think you did a very nice job with this one. If there ever was a flash on the spotlight, I can't tell.

Overall - A solid image, but a little dreary with the dark colors and greyscale. By your description of what you did to the shot to make it better I'd say you really did a good job saving a picture. I think the statue should've been a stronger part of this picture. Hats off to your comments, they've proven to be helpful to some degree!! Interesting story - Good luck in upcoming challenges - Bob
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Olympus C-720UZ
 02/16/2003 10:27:58 AM
Very interesting architecture, but the tones in the photo are a bit grey and dismal. It doesn't highlight the textures or the details in the image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 02/14/2003 02:44:39 AM
I like the perspective here but I really think it needs some contrast added in your editing program to really bring out the shadows nicely. 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSC-F717
 02/13/2003 07:56:25 PM
Very clear shot, but a little dark. Challenge - I'll buy it. Interest level - moderate. My eyes keep being drawn to the light at the top of the wall (Not certain if this is a good thing or not, but I don't think so.....On the other hand, it is kinda out of your control...got a sling shot? 7 Swash
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D100
 02/13/2003 10:28:54 AM
Great perspective and composition, lighting is dark and the light at the top of the building is distracting. Another time of day would have allowed for better lighting or some creative shadows.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSC-F707
 02/11/2003 11:38:56 PM
Very nice use of the challenge. There are a couple hot spots on the foot and the window and at the top. Really like the composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-70D
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
 02/11/2003 08:39:47 PM
nice composition, a bit too grey.. needs a tad more contrast. overall good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/10/2003 08:03:58 PM
i like the shot and the angle, but it appears to be a bit too dark (for me anyway), the statue in the lower center is a bit hard to make out.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 02/10/2003 06:49:47 PM
Good job. The inclusion of the statue on the right really makes this shot. Very effective camera angle. Good luck.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 02/10/2003 01:27:11 PM
This is a great composition. Good focus and contrast. Perfect in b&w. High score from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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