Saturday 14 January 2012

Crawling 'round the harbour


There was a regularity to his arm movement: over, down, through, push. Keep the flutter kick going. And a random breath every so many strokes goes down a treat, too.

To the victor, the physical accomplishment; to the viewer, the mesmerised meditation upon life. People watching is balm for the soul.

This is a Weekend Reflections contributiom.

26 comments:

Luis Gomez said...

Very nice Julie.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I'm with you on that one Julie, people watching is one of the joys of life! If I was watching that guy swimming here in Perth, I'd also be looking behind and around him, and desperately hoping to not see a shark fin, we seem to have had so many sightings just off the beaches this year already. It's definitely enough to put me off going in!!

Jo said...

first thing I thought about was a shark...

biebkriebels said...

He is swimming so alone, glad you kept an eye on him.

Gemma Wiseman said...

What a capture! Instantly I thought of "One Hand Clapping"! The arm shape has a determined sense of progress!

Julie said...

Gemma: this image had me betwixt and between. I could have gone with the eerie shark music; or I could have gone with the Stevie Smith 'not waving but drowning'. The 'one hand clapping' was a longer shot, not being one for Zen koans. However, I am forever mesmerised by what distance does to sound, eg a busy city viewed from Watsons Bay. I know there is action, and noise, and smell there. But I cannot hear it. My phsychological bent is NOT to immediately plump for the futility of actions like 'one hand clapping'. Otherwise, it would just send me off the emotional deep-end.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Great capture, Julie. I am liking the square format you are posting in, especially with the good composition you achieve. Are you cropping your photos or are you the proud owner of a Hasselblad? ;-)

jennyfreckles said...

Half the fun of this image is the links one's mind makes. I thought "Loch Ness Monster"! And then, yes, "not waving but drowning" - glad he wasn't.

TheChieftess said...

No snow outside, but still cold...this gave me the shivers!!! And yet I know you are in your summer!!! I'm envious!!!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Not sure what I like more...the photo or the comments, Julie!...:)JP

Emma Dalloway said...

Great shot, great lighting

Kay L. Davies said...

He's probably in training for a triathlon or an Iron Man tournament or something. Good for him. My husband swims like that, no recreationally paddling about the way I do, not for him.
Sorry to be so late commenting. The day just got away from me. We're contemplating a kitchen remodel, and I'm in charge of research. I was so happy to read about Kirsten's surgery going so well. Terrible, though, that she reacts badly to the pain meds.
Warmest thoughts to all of you,
K

Ann said...

Must admit I thought shark too, with that light. Love the colouring.

Anonymous said...

A brilliant composition, I love how you've captured him reaching towards the post.

Carole M. said...

great observation by you capturing this swimmer and his expertise; lovely photograph. A lovely scene.

diane b said...

I'm glad you didn't have to witness a shark attack. He's either a champ or mad.

Zyzzyz said...

Letting the sun paint the white finish line - good thinking there.

Joe said...

Great colour in this photo. I like the contrast of the grey in the sky and sea with the gold in the sand. The reflected finish line is a nice touch.

Julie said...

Nix: No hassleblad ... I crop to a preset called 'CD cover'. I quite like it every-so-often.

Jim said...

I like the juxtaposition to the shore.

namaki said...

no shark around ? This is a very good catch !

CaT said...

how i love swimming... i totally feel how it is going..... i could do it for hours! (but i prefer a swimming pool.. :))

Karen said...

What a fantastic capture. A great composition, beautiful lighting, and a very interesting setting.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Was down at Bondi Beach the other night and it is a mecca for people watching. I don't do much of it here in the mountains, unless I head for one of the tourist spots.

Anonymous said...

Great timing Julie. That arm does it all.

Julie said...

Took me forever to get the arm like that. I could not wait until I had seen it, my finger/camera was not fast enough. I had to get into his rhythm and guess when he was going to break the surface. Digital is my friend.