December 2025 - Unwelcoming weather in Phuket, Thailand
Original
About the Image(s)
Phuket ,the largest Island of Thailand, is famous for beaches,
sunshine and beautiful clear water. The best time for visiting is
advertised as between November --March ( the dry weather season). Our
family of 14 (including in-laws from Hong Kong and Korea), visited the
place from 6-10 November. Instead of the expected sunny sky, the
picture taken on the 6th November,2025 (first day) revealed windy
weather with giant waves but acceptably bright sky with clouds. We
hardly saw the sun the following few days.The 2nd picture taken on
8th November,showed an almost empty hut--that was supposed to be
packed with people fishing..
I am documenting the unexpected and unwelcoming weather conditions of
Phuket. The sun arrived the evening before we left ---disappointing.
Unfortunately I did not take pictures of people frustrated with the
bad weather condition.
Equipment Sony alpha 9 focal length 2 4-70 at 70mm f/18 1/400s
ISO 250 (1st picture DSC07850)
Sony alpha 9 focal length at 45mm f/18 1/8s ISO
125 (2nd picture DSC01220)
both taken at around 6pm sun setting time
Post-processing Capture One , no specofic changes on automatic white
balancing as set by camera
6 comments posted
Ardeth Carlson
This image creates a very moody feeling and is an interesting scene. For me, because the human element in the photo is a very dark background dock and human figures with little detail, making it difficult to distinguish, I feel this does not tell a good photojournalism story. If you had been able to include people frustrated with the bad weather or preparing for a storm, that would have added the element this lacks. The panorama is actually more dramatic although very dark throughout in a way that has very little tonal contrast. Posted: 12/12/2025 09:58:38
Maurice Ping Leung
Ardeth, given the nasty weather condition, we would find the place deserted rather than packed with frustrated tourists. There is very little chance to take your ideal picture of photojournalism with human figures preparing to fight the storm. My primary aim is to report on the unfavorable condition of the rough sea filled with waves, secondary to the hash wind blowing. And the black thick clouds covering the sky, resulting in the description of a moody, dark and muddy picture. This is exactly what I want to reveal--instead of the contrasting bright sunny skies seen uniformly on advertising posts. But why is the true picture not considered as a good photojournalism report?
Subhash, thank you for raising the diffraction error for small aperture. My Sony zoom lens (24-70mm) has the aperture of f4-22 and I used f18--not knowing how to work out the best aperture to avoid diffraction error. Is there a short easy formula to work out the best aperture? Posted: 12/19/2025 06:37:17
Leslie Larson
Colors too dark and muddy. Brightening it up would help? Can't see any individual people on the pier altho that doesn't seem to be your intent anyway. I agree that the original with the low clouds and longer pier, tells your story better, but still needs brightening. Posted: 12/12/2025 11:24:57
Subhash Sapru
I understand your point of view and this image reminds me of my last visit to Andaman Islands where in no time the sea turned angry and our boat was caught in a storm.
In your image, I am concerned about f/18 in the given situation as at very small aperture that you had, diffraction can make details look soft. The prevailing light and windy weather also make their impact felt on sharpness.
Posted: 12/12/2025 18:23:00
Karen Leonard
I'm sorry about your vacation. It was clearly ruined by the weather. Always a shame when that happens. It is kind of funny-interesting. I do think it is journalism, in the way of bad times on vacation. The heavy waves in the larger picture are quit good. Posted: 12/17/2025 20:42:47
John Larson
I guess when I read your description I get your story. In most PJ competitions even the title is not read so I do not feel this image would receive a high score at all. For most situations the image must tell the story. Posted: 12/20/2025 13:31:46
