THE LADY WASHINGTON
The Lady Washington arrived at the Rainbow Harbor Marina in Long Beach, California on Wednesday December 1, for a six-day exhibition. It’s the first visit for the ship since 2008. The two-masted tall ship, which appeared as HMS Interceptor in the 2003 Walt Disney Pictures production of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, will welcome guests for walk-on tours during its stay in Long Beach. This is your opportunity to stand at the spot where actor Johnny Depp took the helm of Lady Washington in his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.
This is not an image I would normally post here for several reasons that I’ll share in the comment responses along the way. But since we’re all here to learn, I thought I would post this shot of the Lady Washington for your evaluation. There’s a lot that I like about this image, but some unavoidable disappointing elements as well. So without influencing your honest evaluation, I would ask you to share the good, the bad, and the ugly regarding this image.
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Hi Steve,
Those tall ships have always intrigued me. I think they are awesome. Having absolutely no knowledge of the configuration of your dacks, wharfs, etc., it would have been nice to get the shot from more broadside, maybe up toward the bow. But Iguess that you would liked that too, so I assume this was the only point of view that you could have gotten. Considering that, I can see nothing wrong with what you have. The composition is good and there is nothing “ugly” that ruins the picture. In short, you had to do with what you had to work with. Sometimes you just have to with what was put in front of you. Well done, in my opinion.
Bob
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I love it and see absolutely nothing ugly!! It is a great shot and I do realize how hard it is to get those boats with the tall sails and what have you. Don’t be so hard on yourself, enjoy it!!!
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What a beautiful shot!! I’ve only seen a ship like that once before and it was about 15 years ago, but I’ll never forget the sight. I’ve always wanted to go onto one. Again, beautiful shot! I love all of the colors that were picked up in this as well.
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I think it’s a nice shot too. My only (minor) criticism is the busy-ness on the left of the photo. I’d probably be tempted to photoshop the lettering out, but it’s not glaring. The colors are beautiful and I love the reflection.
This photo has an HDR quality about it…?
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You’re right on, Bob! There was a grouping of sailboats just to my right as I was taking this shot. I moved out as far as I could to get this shot. Any further would have brought them into the frame. So, the perspective is one thing that was a bit disappointing. But like you said, you get the shot you can get! And, I did want to get a shot of it. Thanks Bob! Another great comment.
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Gwyn, you’re too kind. Maybe I overstated it a bit with my “good, bad, and ugly” reference. 🙂 I like this shot, but see a few things that might make it better. Unfortunately, like I mentioned to Bob – they were out of my control. Thanks so much for your comments! They’re always good.
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I do think it’s a nice colorful image. One thing that my artist eye sees is where do I stop? where does the eye need to focus? There is a lot of distracting elements going on and I go up and down and back and forth. Not having that huge ship in the distance would help, IMHO. (photoshop time).
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It’s true, Kuukisu, the tall ships are beautiful and very majestic! I would have loved to see the sails up! Yes, great colors – would you change something if you could? Thanks for stopping by! I always look forward to your comments!
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That’s a good point about the lettering on the building, Miss Pearl. And your right about the colors – these buildings are painted with the most vivid of colors. It makes for a very picturesque scene! Would you change anything else, Miss Pearl? I’m glad you stopped by and I always look forward to your comments. Thanks!
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Well, I’m not usually one to wish to photoshop things out, but the buildings in the position they are in the background are rather distracting. However, it still does capture a scene of the port.
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I thought at first that the colors are over saturated, but when I saw the big picture they are ok. There is still one thing – the horizon line falls to the right 🙂
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I meant “horizon line”, sorry my german keyboard is pretty annoying.
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nice shot.
my eye was eventually drawn to the steamer/cruise ship in the background. It looks like a vintage vessel and would have made a great shot by itself.
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The buildings don’t bother me much, though I agree in a perfect world it would be nice if they were gone. For me, the strength of this shot is the juxtaposition of the tall ship with the cruise liner, along with the beautiful deep colours of the ship.
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I do think it is a lovely shot! When pressed, I guess I would have liked to see less water and more sky.
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Thank you, Martina, for adding your comment and evaluation of this image. It’s so very interesting to note the different ways photographers view a shot. To me, it’s part of the fascination of the art! The busyness of this image is possibly what bothers me the most. I mean, the tall ship is obviously intended to be the focal point of the shot. But, there are so many other elements that are distracting my eye from that focal point. I think the one thing that does bother me the most is the lighthouse restaurant in the background. While interesting in its own right, it’s unfortunate that the only perspective I could capture placed it within the masts of the tall ship. The ship in the background is the Queen Mary. Another stand alone element, but since it doesn’t move – it’s always there. It doesn’t bother me quite as much because I don’t think it’s as distracting. I do still like the shot and I’m glad I have it. I think with the situation as it was – this is the best shot that presented itself that day. I love learning if my eye is seeing more and more like a photographer’s eye! Apparently…it is! Thanks for your help here, martina!
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I’m so glad you mentioned this, Kuukisu! I just finished writing a lengthy comment to Martina about this same issue. While I’m not thrilled about the distraction of the building in the background, it is part of the scene. It is a very significant part of that tiny seaport village. That’s a very good point that I had forgotten about! Thanks for reminding me, K! Great comment.
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I love this picture. The contrast of the sail ship and the cruise ship is very nice…I’m talking about the age and type of ships, not the lighting or anything. The reflections in the water is spot on. Great job!!
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At first i didn’t really care for the photo. It seemed to busy – too many distracting features. And I thought the colors looked a little washed out. But after I read all the comments and went back and looked at it again. I now like it. I wanted the Tall Ship to be the main focus but then I realized it is not just the ship but the village port. I like it when I look at it that way.
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I must say, Anna, you have an incredible eye! At first, I thought you might be mistaken. But, I decided to check it out. And sure enough, the horizon is falling off ever so slightly to the right. What caused you to detect that? I’m usually pretty careful to notice the verticals and horizontals. Great pick up! Thanks for adding your comment, Anna!
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HAHA! Anna, I actually knew that’s what you meant and changed it for you before I posted it. I have that same issue from time to time! And, I have an American keyboard…I think. 🙂
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Hi Shiela. I’m really happy to see you comment added to this discussion. Thank you for your kind words, here about this shot. You’re right about the cruise ship. By now you may know, it’s the Queen Mary. And of course, it does make a great stand-alone subject. In a perfect world, I could have changed the setting to be more asthetic – but, in reality, this is about the best I could do…unfortunately. Thank you for sharing your comment!
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You know, Journey, I’m coming to the conclusion that you have to take into consideration that this tall ship is docked in a marina that is crowded with many other vessels of every shape and size. And of course, the shore is lined with buildings that make the area what it is – a seaport village. When I realize that, it causes me to see the image in a totally different light. Thanks for adding to this fascinating discussion! I’m thrilled at all the responses! Great comment, Journey!
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Thank you for your kind words, Milkay! I would have like to see that sky a little more interesting, too! It’s interesting that you mentioned less water and more sky. I think there are different elements that strike in different ways. I remember taking the reflection into consideration when I was composing the shot. My concern was to include as much of the reflection as possible (I would have prefered getting the entire reflection in the shot – which I haven’t mentioned to this point), and I did. But when you look at the image, it seems the reflection does not strike you in the same way – which is fine. I can see wheremore sky could add to the interest of the shot! I don’t know if anyone else is gaining from this discussion, but I’m loving it. You present a new perspective and it’s sparking some thought in my mind. Thanks!!
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Thank you, Corrie! Since you mentioned the reflection, the one thing that was bothering me is the fact that I was unable to capture the complete reflection in my shot. I opened to the widest angle I had available to me (28mm), but I was still unable to capture the reflection of the top of the masts. Do you think, or does anyone else think that is a negative point to the image? I’m glad you mentioned the reflection. I had just responded to Milkay about the reflection and its importance when I saw your comment. I hope we get some feedback about its significance. Great comment, Corrie! Thanks!
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And, I thought you weren’t a photo enthusiast, Miss Betty! Here you’ve pretty much summed up a lot of what I was struggling with in this shot. Although, I always liked the image. But, I agree with you about the clutter. Initially, it seems to detract from the tall ship! But then in the overall perception of the scene, I guess one begins to understand. Great comment! Thanks!
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I did not know that ship in the background was the Queen Mary. Very nice! thanks
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It’s really quite something, Sheila! Maybe I can get a better shot of it on my next trip down there.
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Hi Steve – I must elaborate on my comment. I think the sky is interesting enough. If you put your hand across the image, covering the reflection, much of the ‘clutter’ goes away and the ship becomes more present. With more sky, aka, more negative space, the effect would have been even stronger. This would have also placed the ship more in the foreground, also reinforceing its presence in the photo. Just MHO… 😉
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Boy, do you have a lot of comments on this shot 🙂 I don’t have time to read all of them so I hope I’m not saying the same thing as someone else has….Anyway, I really like this pic. It has an old ship with a new ship, I love the reflection of the older ship, beautiful work! At first I thought there was a bit of distraction with the red roof of the building in the back and then I thought with out all of that it would be a boring pick with two ships. The buildings gives life to it. Very nice work on this one!! Cheers!
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I find it absolutely fascinating how various people see so many differnt things within one image. You’re right, Tracy! I placed my hand over the reflection and it did, indeed, change the entire perspective – just like you said. It certainly makes the tall ship a stronger element. The general consensus was a liking for the shot, with minor element weaknesses. I’m glad you reiterated your earlier comment – because I did not completely pick up what you were saying about the water. Now, I get it! Thanks! 🙂
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Wow! I’ve always loved those tall ships! …and “Pirates of the Caribbean” for that matter ;)!
I do think you’d be being a bit hard on yourself to say “ugly”! Overall, I’d say it’s a pretty decent shot, although of course, as you and the commenters have pointed out, there are a few details that could be better. The first thing I saw (at least on my monitor) was that it seemed slightly over-saturated. Then there’s the matter, as others have mentioned, of the cluttering buildings on the left of the picture. Finally, I agree with Milkay about the sky, although I think it would have to be a very subtle difference. Apart from that, there are some beautiful tones in the sky and the water, and I love the interesting contrast with the newer ship in the background. I find it’s actually very well positionned in the shot with the three funnels standing out against the bright background, and the reflections!
I realise of course that you couldn’t get the right angle due to the circumstances, and I think given that fact, it’s very good! But I wouldn’t advise over-photoshopping to make the distracting elements disappear, as I personally find that that can often result in a rather characterless image…
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I do think you’re right about the photoshopping, Kai. Sometimes, I think we rely of editing too much. It tends to make us lazy as photographers. This is a very good and detailed comment. It’s been very educational to read and think though everyone’s response. Thank you for adding yours! Your comments are always good.
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