Low tide

[Ruben Alfu]

Hello,

This is Panama City with the bay during low tide. Nothing really special about this, and this view of the skyline is photographed by every tourist visiting the city. But an interesting idea came out of this photo. I'll put this here as a reference of context for a series of photos based on Panama City's bay during low tide.

Ruben Alfu : Panama City​

Regards,


Ruben

 

[Asher Kelman]

Already, Ruben, there are two interesting non-touristy pictures. One with the sky cropped above the tallest sky scraper and the other with instead the foreground cropped leaving just approx 2 cm of water with boats, enough to reflect the skyline.

I'm looking forward to the pictures that you have in store for us.

Asher

 

[Ben Rubinstein]

I like it! Tourist photos are just that, snaps. This is an image which is saying something and that makes all the difference.

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Asher, Ben, thanks very much!

Ruben

 

[Jerome Marot]

I like this picture because of the contrast between the empty body of water and the sky. With the sky and skyline, one would expect the classic "skyline reflection in water". This is different and let me imagine some catastrophic event where the sea or lake before the city would be drained out and disappear.

 

[fahim mohammed]

Ruben, I like your vantage point.

Shows me more than any glossy pics could.

Excellent.

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Fahim, Jerome, thanks so much for commenting. All the input received so far for this photo is definitely helping me to nurture ideas for the series. Thanks!

Ruben

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Hello,

In my first post of this thread I rushed to call this a series. I was excited with the idea, but the truth is that right now this can't be called more than that: an idea, an intention. Time will tell if this becomes a series. For the moment, here are three photos out of my first approach to the idea. As always, C&C are welcome!

Ruben Alfu : Low Tide 1

Ruben Alfu : Low Tide 2

Ruben Alfu : Low Tide 3​

Regards,


Ruben

 

[Jerome Marot]

The first one would be really striking if the city skyline would extend along the whole of the horizon. I like the second and third less, because of the way the stones are presented. Since they are a vertical object, my eye interpret the photograph as being a photograph of the stones. And then the city skyline is unrelated and blocked by the stones. In the first one, the flat sand tongue leads the eye to the city.

The city skyline is very photogenic, and I understand that it could be used for a series. But you need to find a subject that would relate the pictures of the series to each other.

 

[Ben Rubinstein]

The first one would be really striking if the city skyline would extend along the whole of the horizon. I like the second and third less, because of the way the stones are presented. Since they are a vertical object, my eye interpret the photograph as being a photograph of the stones. And then the city skyline is unrelated and blocked by the stones. In the first one, the flat sand tongue leads the eye to the city.

The city skyline is very photogenic, and I understand that it could be used for a series. But you need to find a subject that would relate the pictures of the series to each other.

I rather like the cities position in that one, isolated, far away, a different planet almost.

 

[Mark Hampton]

I rather like the cities position in that one, isolated, far away, a different planet almost.

and I feel 1 is to quickly readable - but 2 and 3 stop me. I am not convinced by the sky - in relation to what I think about the images.. but there is something troubling in this work that I can hang on to..

the sharpness slaps me in the face - which I think i want it to do..


thanks for posting Ruben

 

[Ruben Alfu]

Jerome, Mark, Ben, thanks so much.. great food for thought!

The photos are about what's underneath the sea, in the context of Panama City's bay. I see this at some extend as a metaphor where the romanticized skyline represents the surface of the sea, the low tide brings up a question about what's below. I think I've been perhaps too literal in these first photos and I don't want to keep shooting the same angle of the city because that may give this specific view a protagonist role (maybe?).

The progress and the artistic outcome of this project will be largely influenced by the window of opportunity given by the tides schedule. It sounds fun to me!


Regards,

Ruben

 

[fahim mohammed]

Compelling and intriguing images Ruben.

Makes me pause, that is good. Takes me in to the image which is better.

Makes me think..which is the best.

Wondeful exercise and presentation.

Best regards.

 

[Jerome Marot]

Coming back to #3 without seeing #1 right before it, I see it differently. It looks a bit as if the city was standing on the stones, which is unsettling. There is probably something to explore there, but is a completely different direction than #1.

 

[Mark Hampton]

Jerome, Mark, Ben, thanks so much.. great food for thought!

The photos are about what's underneath the sea, in the context of Panama City's bay. I see this at some extend as a metaphor where the romanticized skyline represents the surface of the sea, the low tide brings up a question about what's below. I think I've been perhaps too literal in these first photos and I don't want to keep shooting the same angle of the city because that may give this specific view a protagonist role (maybe?).

The progress and the artistic outcome of this project will be largely influenced by the window of opportunity given by the tides schedule. It sounds fun to me!


Regards,

Ruben

**** **** yeh -- keep pushing this .. think slowly and long... keep the slap.. halt me when I want to move on... your description makes a sense to how I feel.... I can say to much as its what your working on but its exciting to find this.....

enjoy it

 

[Tracy Lebenzon]

I like the first capture!

It reminds me of some of the works by Tim Winstrom. A place seemingly after the event where we see relics of the past. The reflections that disappear into sand in the foreground really complete the composition.