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:

  1. 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!!

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  2. first thing I thought about was a shark...

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

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

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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? ;-)

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  7. 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.

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

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

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  10. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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  16. 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.

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

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  18. I like the juxtaposition to the shore.

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  19. no shark around ? This is a very good catch !

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

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

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  22. 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.

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  23. Great timing Julie. That arm does it all.

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  24. 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.

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