• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

Ships on River Fal

© Peter W. Marks

Ships on River Fal

Uploaded: August 21, 2009

Description

These are just two of several large freighters laid up on the River Fal waiting for an upturn in the World economy and trade to return. One has been there three years.
It was quite an experience to come around the bend in this narrow river in a small boat and be confronted by these huge ships.
1/1000sec; f9.0; ISO400; Some Topaz Detail used in PS.

Exif: F Number: 9, Exposure Bias Value: 0.33, ExposureTime: 1/1000 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 144.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 20D

Comments

Peter W. Marks August 22, 2009

I am hoping you will se this as a rather unusual image which will be food for thought. Your critique will be greatly appreciated. #1171093

john forrant level-classic August 24, 2009

Cool picture! I assume this boats are empty?? I like the comparisson in size of boats. Also strikes me as odd that they are waitng for economy to improve while people are out boating for leisure. #7883198

Peter W. Marks August 24, 2009

Good morning John. The reason there are around ten of these 20,000ton ships moored here is because there is currently a large surplus of shipping in the world. These were needed when the economy was booming everywhere from the Far East to Europe and to the Americas. Imports and exports have all gone down the pan for the developed countries and the reason the ship owners have chosen the River Fal to moor in is that the mooring charges are less than at most ports. Usually only two or three crew are retained to maintain each vessel, Yes, they are empty as evidenced by the red paint work on the hulls. This special paint is anti-fouling which prevents marine growth when the ship is loaded down to its loaded waterline.
#7883738

Susan M. Reynolds level-addict August 25, 2009

This is a very interesting subject, Pete. So they sink to the top of the red line when loaded? WoW!
Like John said it's ironic how some are out boating for pleasure when most in this economy can't even make their house payments!
I like the contrasting colors of green in the trees and hills and the different blues of the water and sky.
I think the only thing I might have done differently is to raise the camera up to include more of the interesting diversely colored sky/clouds and less of the water which is all the same color.
Still a cool photo, especially when one knows the story behind it!
#7887664

Peter W. Marks August 27, 2009

Susan, I don't think I can fly back to Cornwall to follow up on your suggestion so I have cropped the ship image to see if that at least goes part way to achieving it. I suppose the next step would be to clone in some more sky!
And yes they load down to approximately where the red and grey meet. It does depend on where they are being used and for instance in winter on the North Atlantic, maritime insurance regulations would dictate that they would not be so deeply loaded because of the fierce storms. #7893420

john forrant level-classic August 27, 2009

There goes Peter again showing how much free time he has in retirement. Did you always have some much knowledge of all thinks wordly or just in retirement? #7894057

Peter W. Marks August 27, 2009

You are very kind John. Thank you.
I have been blessed with a very curious mind and retain millions of what most folk would think of as useless information! I like all things technical, love words and language and with a wife who is a professional artist and educator I have been working on improving my creative side through photography. Now if only I would use my tripod I could get closer to those tight, sharp, perfectly exposed images I see on so many photo websites. I believe I might be making some progress as BP have generously given me 9 EPs on the last ten images I have uploaded. Now I need to take it up to the next level and get some finalists! A whole lot harder I'm thinking.
Cheers John. Pete #7894218

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!

BetterPhoto.com Editor's Pick


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Peter W. Marks.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.