Michele Borgarelli

July 2024 - Trabucco on the Gargano

Original

About the Image(s)

Background: the Trabucco is a massive fishing machine made by wood that is typical of the Adriatic shores of Abruzzo and Gargano coast. This one was photographed next to VIeste on the Gargano coast. The Trabucco in this region are built with Aleppo pine wood, because this trees are widely available in the region and this wood is elastic, weatherproof and resistant to salt. If you want to know more about these fascinating machines you can read here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trabucco

Taking the image: This photo was taken midday and considering the very uninteresting gray sky, I though from the beginning to use a long exposure to get a smooth ocean and emphasize the structure. I had few minutes to compose the image and set up everything because rain was coming (indeed arrived soon) and I was going to use a neutral density filter for the long exposure that would attract the drop of rainsÃ¢â‚¬¦ More, I forgot my filter holder, so I had to handhold the filter in front of the lens and keep everything stable. I got the right shot at my second attempt and happy because on the third it start raining pretty hard.

Technical data: Fujifilm GFX100s, Fujinon GF45-100mm F4 R LM OIS WR, @64mm, 25 sec, f/7.1, ISO 800, 10 Stops ND filter

Post processing: I thought to have this in monochrome, but my wife suggested the color one is better, and she is always rightÃ¢â‚¬¦ So I kept the color one. I first crop slightly the frame and then since the image was slightly overexposed, I decreased the exposure by 1 stop in the post processing. I also selectively increased the clarity and details on the rocks and the building. Finally, I applied a selective dodge to the Trabucco to make his wooden structure to pop up.

This round’s discussion is now closed!
6 comments posted

Mike Patterson

I like this as a semi-abstract composition. Without your explanation, this looks like a pile of sticks to me. HOWEVER, simply looking at this from a design point of view, I think it's quite interesting and good. The composition is excellent. The curving shore leads directly to the Trabucco. And all the fishing poles protruding over the water provide a very compelling design. You also did an excellent job of your post-processing work, especially in bringing out the colors (your wife was right!) and warming up the image. So a pile of sticks to the untrained observer often provide the opportunity to produce a wonderful piece of abstract art. Posted: 07/02/2024 00:25:43

Nigel Dalton

I remember seeing these kind of structures in Italy and in France - they're quite rustic but purpose made. Nice job on sorting out the sea. You mention that the exposure time is 25sec. but there is still some detail left which looks good. You didn't have a very kind sky to work with which makes me wonder whether your first thought about mono might have been interesting to see. Posted: 07/04/2024 09:14:09

Tom Buckard

Very nice and informative image. Somewhat of a documentary image of how they fish in different areas. I can see that Vieste juts way out into the Adriatic Sea and fish moving north or south would most likely come close to shore and into their nets. Like the leading line of the rocky shoreline and the overcast sky is not really that important. Well done Michele. Posted: 07/08/2024 15:03:26

Michele Borgarelli

Mike, Nigel and Tom,

thank you for your comments and input. Trabuccos are interesting fishing machines and are more complicated of they look at first. They are also a very efficient way to fish.
Nigel, I am posting the monochrome image, since you asked. To me this one is working better in color despite being almost monochromatic.

best wishes

Posted: 07/15/2024 18:41:25

John Zhu

As always your image reflects the transquility and peacefulness. I like the composition and the B&W version. Posted: 07/25/2024 17:48:42

Michele Borgarelli

thank you John. Much appreciated you sharing your thougths.

Michele Posted: 07/26/2024 17:12:53

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