Bai Chuang Shyu
April 2026 - Boat People
About the Image(s)
This photograph was taken in an ancient town in Jiangxi Province. The foreground features calm water surfaces and light mist, which serve to guide the viewer’s gaze and enhance the sense of depth. Meanwhile, the reflections strengthen the aesthetic of symmetry. In the middle ground, I positioned an elderly poling a bamboo raft as the visual focal point, placed slightly below the golden??‘ratio intersection of the frame. The dynamic human figure creates a contrast between movement and stillness against the static ancient village.
This image was handheld using my Nikon D810 camera, with exposure settings of F/11, 1/125 second, and ISO 200. Post-processing of local contrast and saturation were done in Viveza3.
4 comments posted
A very interesting scene and a good composition. For me, the color is too yellow/green and unrealistic. I'm not sure what exactly you did in your post processing, but the image seems to be over-sharpened and out of focus.; all except for the sky. Posted: 04/04/2026 20:21:24
This is a lovely scene that doesn't need any color. You might try converting it to black-and-white. It might give the image a more timeless feel. Posted: 04/04/2026 20:57:45
This feels surreal, like a frame out of a dream. The mist on the water and the active stance of the boatman are strong. The colors and post-processing were a choice I'm not sure supports the image or not. Very interesting! Posted: 04/04/2026 20:59:13
40 years ago, my mother-in-law went to a Picasso exhibit. She didn't buy a painting, or even a print. She bought a coffee cup with Picasso's signature on it. I am so glad she did. Because when she died, it became MY coffee cup, which I drink out of every day, and which I value highly. It reminds me to make the artistic choices that please me. To me, your color choice is bold. And, if it fits the purpose for which it was chosen (even if that purpose was "I like it"), then great. The color grabbed my attention and held it. I also like the building reflecting in the water, creating a leading line, the ripples in the water, and the old tree on the shoreline.
As I studied the photo, I noticed a couple of other things.
First, on the top right of the image, there is a bright streak that I cannot identify. Now that I have seen it, it distracts me. Second, the photo seems a little unbalanced, with so much to see on the right, and very little on the left. Yes, it gives the boat room to float away, and it gives more room for the yellow color to fade. Maybe a small crop on the left side, perhaps where the sky reflects in the water? Posted: 04/05/2026 01:07:18
As I studied the photo, I noticed a couple of other things.
First, on the top right of the image, there is a bright streak that I cannot identify. Now that I have seen it, it distracts me. Second, the photo seems a little unbalanced, with so much to see on the right, and very little on the left. Yes, it gives the boat room to float away, and it gives more room for the yellow color to fade. Maybe a small crop on the left side, perhaps where the sky reflects in the water? Posted: 04/05/2026 01:07:18