Wednesday 30 December 2009

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - The Start


Reminiscent of a bunch of cats eager to be fed, the yachts stooged around jockeying for position and for wind. And I guess simply for room to move. The day was grey and mizzley but that did not seem to lessen the enthusiasm of the crowds on each and every headland.


Taking their life in their hands, smaller craft took it to the big fellers for their time in the spotlight, basking in the reflected glory of a Sydney-Hobart start. The SMH has some spectacular overhead shots, especially 3/18 and 17/18. The final shot below, shows the puff of smoke from the canon as the starter warns there is 5 minutes to start. Drivers start your engines ...

23 comments:

Jilly said...

This has to be one of the most exciting races in the world. I remember welcoming the boats as they arrived in Hobart.

Julie, I can't find your email address. Please write me privately for info on Stuart. J x

My name is Riet said...

Such beautiful colourful pictures you took of the start of the race.
Happy NewYear

lizziviggi said...

You really captured the excitement here, along with the smoking gun!

Anónimo said...

The boats children could also go further than large ones. Furthermore, the day was not anything in their favor though I imagine he ran a lot of wind in that place.

Greetings and photos are very good, although I prefer the first.

Olivier said...

belle serie sur les voiliers, ça donne envie de prendre le large

Vera said...

This brings back memories of my sailing years, back in the distant past. Only I sailed in tiny boats, nevertheless there was still the fun of the races, which your photos brought back for me. Thanks.

Jim said...

You had a great vantage point Julie. Top shots.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

bitingmidge said...

A bunch of wows for your coverage Julie! Are you getting better and better at this, or is it just me who thinks you are?

The people shots from yesterday are terrific.

Sunshine Coast Daily Photo - Australia

cara said...

Yep have to agree with Peter. Great blogging! By the way - do you have a special grey filter on your camera? I like the darkness around the edges.

Unknown said...

The high sails make a fantastic contrast to the boats in the foreground. Beautiful balance!

As to the aloes, there are around 400 species (Africa), they don't bloom all in the same season and the flowers go from red to yellow.

I will check Lachezar's blog now.

Julie said...

Cara, the grey around the edges is me trying to desperately compensate for the greyness of the day. I took all the shots either 1 or 2 shots low to ensure definition as much as I could. Then I put them into Picasa and adjusted the contrast. This is where the halo effect came in. I need a stretch of greyness to be able to get it right in-camera.

Thanks for your compliments, guys. I enjoy telling stories using images. I have a change in style for the next few days before I return to the documentary approach one again.

Susan Ellis said...

So exciting! We've watched America's Cup a few times and it's one massive adrenalin rush...this race is much the same I expect. Great photos!

Joan Elizabeth said...

Yes it was a very grey day -- you have done a great job of capturing the excitement ... I knew Pete would appeciate them a lot.

diane b said...

Amazing pictures of an amazing race. The canon smoke must have been hard to capture. Shame it was a grey day.

Tash said...

You've conveyed how thrilling the race start is. I feel the excitement just sitting here.
(Maybe Kris will catch the tail end.)

Fantastic portraits on Monday's post - & the Holy Cow pup steals the show.

PS - I don't know why we use different words (glider=sailplane, mobile=cell phone) just keeping the ol' tradition going I guess (boot=trunk, bonnett=hood, ...)

VP said...

At last the real thing: this is the paradise of boat photography (I genre I just invented for myself).
My only problem would be the choice of so many 'targets' without losing the real action...
Thanks for these excellent images!

Julie said...

I know! I know! Both you and Biting Midge reckon that sailing is all about boats. You both know me well enough now to realise that I always nibble around the edges of a story starting with PEOPLE, those little critters who hoist sails and stuff.

Birdman said...

I have to ask. Are you a sailor? Your images certainly tell a story.

Birdman said...

My Dad always used the terms like 'bonnet', 'trunk' always when talking about his MGs. There were others too.
Language is a funny, subtle at times thing.

brattcat said...

These are so exciting. I'm going to credit your ability as a photographer for capturing the emotional arc of sailboats. I don't think it's as effortless as you make it appear.

Anonymous said...

You've given the perfect version of a great event like this Yacht Race, it's been interesting to follow it, you've done it like a profesional photographer.
Thanks.
Serge

Nathalie H.D. said...

Julie I hadn't visited your blog in a while and I'm amazed at the number of great posts and fantastic pictures I've missed!

How closely connected to the Sydney to Hobart race are you ? You must have been allowed inside the yacht club to take such fantastic portraits ?

Your children portraits were wonderful too, and I loved Bondi beach combed clean with giant rake marks !

Icy BC said...

I love photos of all the boats! I looks busy, but so alive.