Sunset for the Union?

Jan 18, 2019

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Almost a political post this time, but perhaps timely this week. Looking for lights whilst down The Bay before Christmas, the only really good one was the sunset that kindly performed for me. Here are two shots taken looking towards Penarth. The first from beside where the Doctor Who Experience used to be, the second of the staves that I’ve photographed in almost every conceivable kind of light, with or without cormorants.

[NB: Following comments, I’ve edited the original image – which is now the second one – to now promote the edit that I inserted into the comment.]

Sunset for the Union?

I think it’s a vast improvement and tells an even better story.

[EXIF: 1/90sec @ f/16; ISO 400; Sony ILCE-7R; Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA]

Sunset over The Bay

[EXIF: 1/200sec @ f/8; ISO 200; Sony ILCE-7R; Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA]

2018 Cardiff Bay sunset U3A

Comments

10 responses to “Sunset for the Union?”

Yvonne Courtine

January 18, 2019

I think the fact that the sun is setting and that the British flag is ragged at the edges speaks for itself, if you know what I mean! A poignant image in all respects.

Reply
1. David
  
  January 19, 2019
  
  I hadn’t noticed until this morning that the Union flag was flying in the opposite direction to most of the others. If I’d cropped out the nearest one, I could have titled the shot (as well) … “You go your way, and we’ll go ours”, or “Out of step”.
  
  Reply
Yvonne Courtine

January 18, 2019

I like the composition of the second picture, too. Those staves are deservedly much photographed – so photogenic.

Reply
1. David
  
  January 19, 2019
  
  Indeed.
  
  Reply
Frances

January 19, 2019

Hi Dave, I like the composition of the first photo but would crop out the first red flag so that the Union Jack is the only one blowing in the opposite direction, as I think it would make a clear statement in itself! The way that the setting sun catches on the upper part of the structure makes it appear as if it is made of billowing material rather than metal, which strikes a strong contrast with the solidity of the lower corrugated iron. The life float in the centre picks up the colours in some of the flags and the vertical lines of the railings contrast with the horizontal ripples in the water, both in texture and direction. An interesting photo.
The second photo portrays the strength of the staves in the foreground but suggests a vulnerability in the structure; the rotting wood and corroding metal are defiant against the mass of water but the presence of the lichen suggests that it is only a matter of time! The shape of the landscape and portrait pieces of bracing metal on the staves are echoed in the buildings in the background which draws the eye into the distance. The colour of the lichen and the setting sun filtering through the cloudy sky give life to the image…. a great photo!

Reply
1. David
  
  January 19, 2019
  
  I thought much the same, as you can see from my reply to Yvonne, so here’s the alternative crop …
  
  Reply
  1. Jim Bartlett
    
    January 31, 2019
    
    This cropped version is different from the other photos, David, in that it doesn’t appear when I click on it, so I can’t see the whole thing.
    
    Reply
    1. David
      
      February 1, 2019
      
      In a comment the image is uploaded full-size which means that it will sometimes not appear in full on a tablet, or phone screen. Just pinch and shrink your screen to see the fuul picture – that works for me ?
      
      Reply
      1. Jim Bartlett
        
        February 1, 2019
        
        I can indeed see the whole the whole picture with my tablet, David, but with my laptop I have to zoom out to 50%. (It has a touch screen, but pinching doesn’t work.) I’ll try to remember that for the future.
      2. David
        
        February 1, 2019
        
        Oh! That’s the explanation I felt from my tablet ?

Sunset for the Union?

Comments

10 responses to “Sunset for the Union?”

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