La Perla de LaPaz by Octavio González, a photo from Baja California Sur, Baja

Photographer's Note

The Pearl holds a significant place in the history of La Paz, which was a sizable pearling center until a disease wiped out the oysters in the 1940s. John Steinbeck wrote of them -- both in the dramatic fable, "The Pearl," in which a humble man finds riches but loses everything, and in his "Log from the Sea of Cortez," where he wrote, "The robes of the Spanish kings and the stoles of bishops in Rome were stiff with the pearls from La Paz."

This sculpture is the newest to be installed on the Malecón Paceño. It's rather large, and the highly-polished "pearl" provides endless opportunities for creative photography.

Question for those with an opinion -- I worry that I have over-sharpened this image. Your thoughts, please?

No_One, rigoletto, jcpix, adores, worldcitizen ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

emka (157280) 2014-07-30 23:58

Hello Russ,
Excellent composition in black and white, artistic presentation. I like the reflections in the sphere very much.

WArm regrads MAlgo

No_One (4) 2014-07-31 10:42

Hi Russ,
In noticed your second post of this great pearl first, but now reading this note I understand better it's meaning which is very cool. I love the choice in black and white and I think it was a great idea to use the bottom of the shell as a foreground, as it makes it look like the pearl is positioned not in a busy walkway, but in some faraway and empty land. The reflection are beautiful too while I love the contrast between the sharp spiky tree and the soft curve of the pearl.
I don't think you over sharpened this at all.
Cheers
Noel

rigoletto (34279) 2014-08-03 10:51

a glossy pearl! i hadn't seen this while i was digitally strolling the streets of la paz! it certainly was a source of inspiration, a giant globe reflecting on a much smaller one. the palette of greys is delightful, thanks to the soft shades of light on your canvas. for the perception of sharpening: you know, it is a matter of screen resolution: on my screen, yes, i do see some pixelations, especially around the palm tree. but in a larger format, this could not be a problem. you could best see the result on a print out, better check it prior to publishing a hard copy.

jcpix (14030) 2014-08-03 19:40

Hey Russ,

I think you have a pearl of a pearl here, this is a delightful rendition of the sculpture. Creative in composition, I really like that you've put together a image which invokes curiosity to the design of the sculpture itself, as well as the surroundings. Not only that, but the idea to go black & white gives it that added artistic punch of contrast.

My feeble eyes can't make out any over sharpening, I'd say you did just fine. With this arrangement, I almost get the impression this is a actually a giant eyeball, and what we can see in the reflection is the minds eye perception...albeit warped, just like me! :) Bold and beautiful, I like it! Hope you've had a nice weekend. Good to see you have more time back on the TE network. :) Take it easy.

Friendly wishes,

Jason

adores (46979) 2014-08-08 15:24

Hi Russ!
It's an interesting sculpture, I really like how you framed the reflection and what's being reflected. A very good composition and a great conversion to b&w.

mesutilgim (0) 2014-12-02 12:51

Hello Russ,
Very nice b&w capture from La Paz.
The artwork here reminds me to Amish Kapoors Cloud Gate in Chicago.
Very good pov and perfect sharpness.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Waylim (25436) 2015-01-14 8:41

Hello Russ,

I really like the Black and White presentation on this one. Not all pictures work out that way. Perhaps because this is a crystal and with nice contrast, it really allow us to focus more on that rather than the color of it. The large version is hard to get a good impression because one has to scroll over and up and down, it is hard to get the over all impression of it. I suggest make it big enought to fill most Monitor screen, but not larger.

W

SNOOP_Chan (4377) 2015-01-24 14:11

Hello Russ, thanx for your comment first. Then, a very unusual image here, not the kind you'll find on TE. I ilke the surreal feeling of your composition. Nice b/w idea, it really works. Good shot.
Regards!

worldcitizen (15980) 2015-07-30 12:16

Hello Russ,
Here you certainly were able to take advantage of a lovely reflection. I like that we only see the buildings and person in the "pearl". We have a surreal view instead of the actual reality. I don't think you over-sharpened, and I like the choice of B/W.