Lagoon (after) Rothko, a photo from Erongo, South

Photographer's Note

Watching the news this morning I saw that a painting by the celebrated artist Mark Rothko had been sold at Christie's for a record sum.

Looking at the images reminded me of this shot I took at Walvis Bay salt lagoon recently. There was a low sea mist hanging over the water which was wonderfully tinted by the plankton and the reflected sky.

So today a slightly 'tongue-in-cheek' upload, pity is not worth what the Rothko fetched!

" A SUNSET-coloured painting by Mark Rothko has become the world's most expensive contemporary art work, fetching $86.9 million in a stunningly lucrative auction at Christie's in New York.

Orange, Red, Yellow was as hot on the Christie's block as the colours on the bold, large-scale abstract canvas. A thicket of hands shot up to catch the attention of auctioneer Christopher Burge, bids leaping in increments of a million, sometimes two million dollars.

The hammer finally fell at a hair under $87 million, including final commission, breaking both the previous record for Rothko's most expensive work of $72.84 million and the record for any contemporary work of art at auction, Christie's said." http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts

Suppiluliuma, jjcordier, papagolf21, chanteuse, timecapturer, sacimar, mmohan, tyro, delpeoples, PecoBud, gildasjan, patdeph, ybx, annjackman, Angshu, kwekwekan, mkamionka, ikeharel ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

batalay (41261) 2012-05-08 23:48

Hello Rosemary,

Spectacular colors, with nature imitating art. Your note is highly engaging. What a lovely packet to share with Trekearth.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Suppiluliuma (3931) 2012-05-08 23:59

Dear Rosemary,

It is sometimes rewarding to look at a picture partially as it unfolds on the screen from top to the bottom. I saw turquoise colors first, as if the sky was torn swiftly by a bird feather, then gradually came the orange/reddish colors which make this shot so unworldy.

A spectacular, almost abstract shot.

TFS.

With friendship,

Erdem

jjcordier (79299) 2012-05-09 1:31

Rosemary
Superbe photo avec de magnifiques dégradés de couleurs. J'espère que tu la vendras aussi chère que le Rothko!
Amicalement
JJ

AuldCom (196) 2012-05-09 2:15

Hi Rosemary,
The gradual switch to light blue from red/orange is amazing, this is a spectacular shot !
Stéphane

Nicou (193806) 2012-05-09 2:27

Hello

fantastique dégradé de couleur quel pastel une vraie oeuvre d'art un tableau de maître, grandisoe compo.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

papagolf21 (152599) 2012-05-09 2:44

Bonjour, chère Rosemary,
Une composition de tout premier ordre, réalisée avec talent et présentée artistiquement d'une fort belle façon.
J'applaudis cette superbe composition.
Amitiés.
Philippe

MJR (3360) 2012-05-09 2:55

Rosemary

Gorgeous !

Looking back at some of my modest attempts, it intrigues me what makes me ignore a photograph one day, but appreciate it enough to work it up and post it another.

In this case $87m is quite a lot of reasons !

Kind regards
Martin

siolaw (38294) 2012-05-09 3:14

Hi Rosemary
Before reading the note, i thought this looks like a painting... I never hear of that artist, but after checking his work, i agree it looks like one of his! Superb colour gradient and simple but efficient compo.
Greetings
Laurent

sevy (58) 2012-05-09 3:57

Hello,

Nice colors sharing through this shot, in line with your note talking about modern art. In the spirit, you are not so far with this post.
I like the subtle color graduation in the foreground.

Yves.

Sergiom (117241) 2012-05-09 5:06

Bonjour Rosemary,

Ces couleurs sont absolument magnifiques. On voit un très beau dégradé de couleurs presque à l'infini. La ligne horizontale est bien placée dans l'image.

Amicalement

Serge

chanteuse (210) 2012-05-09 5:10

I think Rothko would love it!
Although he liked to have a floating square somewhere in many of his paintings - or rectangle - or two.
This is marvelous with the line of clearly focused bank of earth to contrast with the delicately shaded layers of color - which are indeed VERY Rothkoesque!
What a beautiful surprise for my morning! Thank you!

timecapturer (49288) 2012-05-09 5:26

Hi Rosemary
I love this! It is simple yet so effective. Love the milky texturing in the waters and the gradient layered effect, with the perfectly placed disection of the image. Beautiful and definitely worth $86.9m in my book.

Regards - Brian.

carlo62 (81265) 2012-05-09 6:34

Ciao Rosemary
colori molto delicati e romantici, sembra quasi che la foto sia al contrario.
Bella cromaticità e ottima luce.
TFS
Buona giornata
Carlo

dkmurphys (78000) 2012-05-09 8:26

Hi Rosemary,
Simple and very attractive. Nature is just amazing, you've spotted a great image.

Daniel

sacimar (38171) 2012-05-09 8:58

Hello Rosemary,

interesting image and note, I know Rothko art work and you picture could be one of his paintings... good idea and presentation,

Best regards,

Sergio

mmohan (744) 2012-05-09 11:07

HI Rosemary,
The brilliant colours in a simple composition transform this picture into a great one
Regards,
Manoj

Jeppo (17645) 2012-05-09 12:29

Ciao Rosemary,

nature is sometimes as inspired as some painters are.
the image is rothko-like....or rothko painting could be "this laguna"-like

Namibia has such a great nature....

ciao
jeppo

tyro (30513) 2012-05-09 13:18

Hello Rosemary,

Far, far better than Rothko's "Orange, Red and Yellow", your photograph also has green and blue and a touch of mauve in addition. So it must be worth, let's see, Mmm, 2 x $87M = $174M ? And why not?

A very graphical and simplistic image with the most wonderful variety of soft colours, transfixed by a hard horizon perfectly placed at the junction of the upper and middle thirds. Perfect exposure and exquisite sharpness.

Quite honestly, I'd rather see this on my livingroom wall than that Rathko - I could print this off my computer for nowt and save my money too!

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

siudzi (34141) 2012-05-09 13:26

Hi Rosemary,

Wow! What an amazing shot! So simple but so eye-catching visual effect. Love it. Very well executed.

Warm regards,
Malgorzata

delpeoples (60326) 2012-05-09 18:05

Hello dear Rosemary

Well, if I had the money I would certainly give you 8 or 9 million for this :) It's absolutely beautiful, with the graduated colours, so soiftly done and not over-saturated. And you chose the vertical so well to give even more depth to this wonderful, almost abstract image. This should be hanging on a wall in your home - and will definitely be in my Theme on Salt Pans - if that's ok with you.

Warm regards and congratulations, it's definitelt one of my favourites this year
Lisa

PecoBud (3824) 2012-05-10 9:45

Brilliant masterpiece you've presented here, I'm so glad we have the opportunity to see through your Mind's Eye. Stunning POV and excellent DOF. Vivid, playful colors that almost play tricks with your eyes. Superb light management combined with all the above mentioned, makes this, a beautiful photo to be cherished and prized. Great Job Rosemary!!

TFS...........Your Friend from California..........Buddy

gildasjan (43826) 2012-05-10 11:44

Bonjour Rosemary
Une très bonne complémentarité de couleurs entre le bleu de ce ciel et les teintes orangées au premier plan.Simple et agréable à regarder.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

patdeph (35750) 2012-05-10 12:13

hello Rosemary
the price of some paintings are incredible, I wonder why they can reach such sums, and who can buy them.
Your picture is certainly different,but this is also an incredible show that the nature can offer, the colors are wonderful, the reflections in the red water are like a painting, and I love the only element of his picture, the line separating the water from the sky.Minimalist and splendid!
Regards
Pascale

marcan44 (6315) 2012-05-10 14:54

Ciao Rosemary,
a differenza del grande Rothko noi fotografi dilettanti ci accontentiamo di molto meno.
La prima cosa è che le nostre foto piacciano a noi stessi e poi anche agli altri.
La forza del tuo scatto sta in questo degradare di tonalità pastello che la natura ti ha fornito su un piatto d'argento.

Brava a cogliere e riprodurre questo regalo.

Have a nice day
Mario

macondo (20449) 2012-05-11 1:03

Hi Rosemary,
This has to be one of the best 'minimalist' photos of recent weeks. So simple but so beautifully coloured and well proportioned. It could almost be an upside down shot of a sunset. The note is very interesting, too. I don't think so much should be paid for paintings, but it's a function of a rich someone both wanting and having. While we with more modest needs and means can take delight in your photo.
Regards,
Andrew

Royaldevon (75344) 2012-05-11 2:43

Hello Rosemary,

A truly amazing photograph!
I love how the hues change as you move across to the horizon. It's just like doing a wash on paper.
And, with that art link, thank you for including that information in your notes.

Ah, if only such rich people would recognise the originality of our photographs! £1,000,000 would be enough - we're not greedy!

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

daddo (28728) 2012-05-11 5:10

Hi Rosemary. Namibia must be a water colourist's dream- quick execution with few distracting details ( desert scenes included.)A creative and sensitive image. Best wishes. Klaudio.

ybx (251) 2012-05-12 5:52

Hello Rosemary, amazing colours in this lagoon! The tones from red to blue are extraordinary!
It seems a fantastic scenario, came out from a science fiction.
This another your jewel from Namibia.

Have a nice weekend & ciao

Corrado

Waylim (25436) 2012-05-12 15:43

Hi Rosemary,

Yes there is a very strong resemblance to the work of art by Rothko. Perhaps he is inspired by such landscape. This is really beautiful with a minimalist composition. Great colors, good composition with less is more effect. Just love it.

Way

emka (152136) 2012-05-12 17:07

Hi Rosemary, The saltpans have sometimes extraordinary colours. Here it is simpley marvelous. Gorgeous shot. I look at it with amazement. i doubt if Rothko is better, even if it costs so much.

Excellent work, compliments.
have a nice Sunday

MAlgo

annjackman (23019) 2012-05-13 0:57

Hi Rosemary,
Mesmerizing as the layers of colours unfold. A great note to make us smile. You should see what you can get for this as there seem to be some takers amongst the TE members (including me)!
Simple but most effective,
Best wishes, Ann

jemaflor (135380) 2012-05-13 8:26

Hi Rosemary,
Great result with this tone, good sharpness, I remember the view of these saltpans from a plane, interesting color with light and graphical aspect ...

Angshu (56760) 2012-05-20 0:25

Hello Rosemary!
The colours are just amazing...it doesn't seem to be from this world! The simplicity of it all, what they call minimalism strikes immediately. Its that slice of land which breaks the sky & the water. The blue merges with the red effortlessly & fluidly. Comparing with artwork is very apt. A fine contribution again!
Best Regards
Angshu

kwekwekan (1078) 2012-05-26 19:12

Hello Rosemary,
A very thoughtful upload. Minimalistic, yet subtly complex at the same time.
TFS
Caleb

mkamionka (61176) 2012-05-28 4:48

Hi Rosemary,
amazing colors, it seems really unearthly, more like from Mars. Great minimalistic composition. Very impressive effect,
M

Robert1969 (7160) 2012-05-31 23:47

Hello Rosemary,

86.9 million Dollars....to see if I
still have some money somewhere
between my socks. What can I say....
When I was 4 years old, then I felt
ashamed when I made that kind of
rubbish, which he made.
It's very sad that a little artistic
talk is eventually more worth than a
hundred thousand hard working people.

About the picture (million times more
beautiful): The vertical position
creates a nice depth. The picture has
beautiful layers (and each layer has
beautful colors) and the creates also
a nice depth. Light management is also
great.

Friendly regards,
Robert

papera (14372) 2012-06-07 14:10

hi rosemary,
you simply have too stunning pictures in your gallery - for someone like me with a chronic lack of time, picking one is akin to torture :)
besides, you have the camera I originally wanted to buy (the D700) - the exceptional colours this model can capture are truly amazing. too bad for me the model is not available at the moment here in the NL - I had to go for its little sister (D300)...
what I like so much about this picture is the mood and the atmosphere it emanates: the smooth transitions of the colours, the soft light, the simple horizontal lines - all these elements set my mind at ease, they are calming, soothing and relaxing. exactly what I need lately :)
my compliments!
c.

bornav (486) 2012-06-10 21:16 [Comment]

Show Comment +

ikeharel (105885) 2012-08-24 5:03

Besides the interesting auction story, Rosemary, the photo show a wonderful scene that is unique in texture, contrast on diff. colors and a dike that gave boundries to the water reservoir.
The image divided into three, mainly by the "red" area.
Light was very favorable.
Enjoy a nice weekend,
Ike

Photo Information

Copyright: Rosemary Walden (SnapRJW) (31631)
Genre: Luoghi
Medium: Colore
Date Taken: 2012-04-10
Categories: Natura, Opera d'arte
Esposizione: f/14.0, 1/320 secondi
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Versione Foto: Versione Originale
Tema(i): Salt Pans, Namibian Landscapes 2, Your Favorites, Salt Pans of Namibia [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2012-05-08 23:31
Preferiti: 2 [vista]