Challenge:Games (Classic Editing) Camera:Nikon D1 Location: Back Garden, London Date: May 16, 2002 Aperture: F10 ISO: 400 Shutter: 1/125 Date Uploaded: May 18, 2002
OK - looks like this game isn't quite as internationally known as I thought and some explanation is required. The game is Boules or Petanque which is a French game involving throwing shiny metal balls with the aim of getting as close as possible to a small wooden ball. If you want to know more then you can find all the details at //www.scottishpetanque.org/ This is a miniature set so the balls are about 2 inches across (full size would be about 3) and weigh about a pound. I've seen (or imagined) some great pictures of old Frenchmen smoking Gauloise and playing boules on a dirt road - long shadows, sidelighting, very atmospheric. Given time and space (and a couple of Frenchmen) that's the shot I wanted to take but instead (since it was just me in the garden) focussed in on the action. After a couple of attempts I decided to use a long focal length to (a) compress the action into a small space and (b) minimise the chance of smashing my camera. I set up, prefocussed, set the aperture so that the whole tray of sand was in focus and tripped the shutter via a remote release as the ball landed. In the shot shown the ball on the left had just landed behind the ball on the right, thrown up the sand and then bounced forward in the frame. I tried the picture in B&W but in the end preferred the warm colour of the sun on the sand. Thanks for all the feedback.
I've never seen this game -- can you post details after challenge closes? If your image shows in the reflection, check out the MirrorProject at //www.mirrorproject.com/ -- you might want to submit a version there too.
Good catch of the action. Better, IMO, without the third ball in the bg. Had to look pretty hard to figure out why the moving ball was "doubled". The reflection in the ball at R is a great touch. This would make a good B/W, too, with all the contrasts and texture.
This is a pretty cool picture, one that makes one think. I am only troubled with its ability to keep your attention. If a picture is really great you will want to look at it again, and again.
love the action in this photo, and the reflections in the boule add to the interest. Would have been cool to see the actual thrower, but that's asking a lot :) Well done
I really really can't tell what's happening here. The image looks amazingly nice though, but I just can't tell what game it is -- and I don't know what "Boules" is. =/
Great photo... Although I'm struggling to work out what is happening. Did the ball on the right just land and the other balls are blurred because of the sand? Perfect focus on that rightmost ball.
I love the motion in this shot. Great reflections! Wonderful use of what appears to be all natural light. I find myself looking into the ball to see what the reflections are (a good thing) In my top 10.
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
