Pete Scifres, PPSA, GPSA  

Seaweed Farming by Pete Scifres, PPSA, GPSA

July 2025 - Seaweed Farming

About the Image(s)

Another one from Indonesia from last May/June. The group leader was hardcore drones, and 9 of the 11 people on the trip had them, so we flew a lot.

This is a seaweed farm photographed from about 100 feet up. Note the green bundles in the boat -- this is harvested tea. I had a lot of time to think thru how to compose this, and there is almost no cropping or image rotation.

In post, I blended a couple of exposures because the whites in the boat were so bright (middle of the day shot), and tried to get the colorful hats to show. Otherwise, not too much processing other than de-noising, setting whites/blacks, etc.

Although I like the texture, I do not think this is an especially strong image because unless you were there, or it is explained, it's not possible to understand what is happening. If I could include the ground shots of the farmers unloading their boats, it would be a better story.

5 comments posted

Drema Swader   Drema Swader
Sorry Peter, but I do not find it a very compelling photo. I would think a closer look at the boat would be interesting, where the viewer can clearly see those things of interest, like the hats and bundles of tea. I don't think it required this much of the tea field to communicate that they are in one. In fact, the field at the top and the pattern in the upper right corner are a bit distracting.

A good shot for remembering when you were there, but you are right, it's not your strongest image. If you have the pixels, I would suggest cropping down to the bottom left quarter of the image.   Posted: 07/05/2025 14:39:44
Patrick Campbell   Patrick Campbell
Hi Peter, I have to agree with Drema. The interesting part of this image is the boat, but it is very small. The contrasting colors look nice against the green background.   Posted: 07/09/2025 06:53:48
Richard Stauber   Richard Stauber
Without the description, it is difficult for me to understand the photo. Perhaps dropping down closer to the boat or taking the shot when the farmer is actually pulling some of the crop out of the water would help. Is an interesting shot and without too much effort might be transformed into an abstract image?   Posted: 07/09/2025 23:36:10
Lou McLove   Lou McLove
Hi Peter, I agree with the others. I think closer to the boat and with only the green background would be quite nice.I am glad you shared this, it makes we want to travel there.   Posted: 07/24/2025 21:31:50
Lisa Cirincione   Lisa Cirincione
Hi Pete! I love this image... love the abstractedness of it and the fact that I do not know what is going on. The only thing I would suggest is perhaps a larger angle so that the two rows are more angled, and then rotate it so the boat is moving down towards the bottom left corner.
I tried to do it... but my crop cut off the other row... great abstract possibilities   Posted: 07/28/2025 13:33:33
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