24 February 2011

Kelp


So many things change when kelp dries, but the difference between the supple, strong fronds of the living plant and the hard, brittle texture of the now dead plant always seems particularly striking. This was partway through the transition, on the South Coast near Baring Head.

[29 December 2010; Canon 20D, 24–105 mm f4 L at 105 mm, ISO 400, 1/30 at f16]


[Update: I forgot to mention — new post up on Pohanginapete: "From the Makaroro"]

All content © 2011 Pete McGregor

4 comments:

Barbara Butler McCoy said...

What a stunning composition, Pete. To my eye this captures the fluidity of the kelp in its live state; the way you framed the strands accentuates their striation and gives one a sense of the rush of water over them. Too, the arched areas evoke, to me, the air vents on sleek vehicles. It is quite a talent, I think, to make a composition that expresses so much. ...... Thinking of all kiwis with care and support after the recent tremors.

pohanginapete said...

Barbara, thank you for the comments on the photo — I appreciate the detail, which helps me see the photo through your eyes.

Thanks too for your thoughts about us over here. It sounds facile to say those thoughts are appreciated, but it's not — somehow, knowing that people we've never even met have that degree of empathy and concern is greatly encouraging. I'm lucky in that my family and friends in Christchurch are ok (as far as I know), but New Zealand's a small place and no one's likely to remain untouched at a very personal level by this awful event. I'm still anxious about what the coming news might disclose.

Zhoen said...

You have a way of capturing textures. Want to touch this, follow the curves with my fingers.

pohanginapete said...

Thank you Zhoen. The texture is highly tactile. I'm off down there again now; maybe I'll have more kelp photos soon.