Michele Borgarelli
March 2025 - Peine del vento
Original
About the Image(s)
The Peine del Viento is an establishment of 3 sculptures in t from the artist Eduardo Chillida in the city of San Sebastian. These pieces have been positioned in the place where the city ends and the ocean begins, Eduardo Chillida anchored the three sculptures to the rocks, so that the incoming wind would be continually ‘combed’ at La Concha Bay.This is a place where the wind and the sea beat together, whipping the rocks with a sense of abandon. Nature and art blend together and appear as one, and the positioning of the sculpture pieces makes them appear to emerge from the rocks themselves, almost as if they were a part of them. (<a href="https://www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/en/to-do/what-not-to-miss/el-peine-del-viento" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/en/to-do/what-not-to-miss/el...</a>).
Since there were no wind that day, I decided to take this image using a long exposure to smooth the water and let the attention to focus on the sculptures and the rusted colors.
Fuji GFX 100s, Fujinon GF 45-100mm@45mm, f/22, 40sec, 6stops ND filter.
Post processing: image cropped to 4:3 format (main standard for horizontal images), done some basic adjustments: open shadows and black, decreased hihglights, increased slightly clarity, contrast and structure
This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted
A good capture if you know the story, but in my opinion it does not have a lot of impact with people that are not aware of the story, I suspect it would not judge well despite a carefully planned capture. Posted: 03/22/2025 19:09:53
Thank you Stan appreciate your input. Your comment however, support my idea that the way a travel image can be judged or seen is maybe outdated. These sculptures are essentially part of the story of San Sebastian and are considered a symbol as much as their cathedral. It looks like that if I had posted the cathedral, then it would have been judged well even if a similar church can be photographed everywhere in Europe. While a unique monument of the city might not be considered specific enough for be judged as travel photography. To me this support that travel photography is seen with a stereotypical eye. If I would be a judge I would be intrigued by seeing an image of something I don't know and I would be interested to check what this is, and not discarded it at the first impression. I am not talking about the technical aspect, if the image fail on the basic, it should be judged low regardless. Maybe is the time for the PSA to rethink about the rules? Please take this comment as a starting point for an open conversation and there is nothing personal on this. You are in the board of the director and may be can consider the idea to revisit rules
best wishes
Michele
Posted: 03/25/2025 02:53:15
best wishes
Michele
Posted: 03/25/2025 02:53:15
Michele - These metal sculptures are interesting but as Stan says, I don't think the result is an interesting enough Travel image. Trying to get both in to the same image with nothing in for the majority of the frame does not help. You may have a separate image of just one close up which would be more interesting, but I suspect it still wouldn't be of interest enough to Judges. Posted: 03/30/2025 08:46:44
Adrian,
I accept the critique on the "image" itself. I have troubles to accept that judges won't see this as a travel photography. Again, just because you don't photograph the Duomo of Milan or the Coloseum, it should not put a picture down from being a travel photo, otherwise it become a stereotype. Again,these sculptures are a symbol of San Sebastian. The fact that they may not be famous as the David of Donatello, should not let a judge to put down an image as not a travel one. Indeed, if I would have been a judge this sculpture would raise interest in me to figure out what they are. The technical aspect is a different story.
About judging, let me tell you a story. I have one of my pictures that arrived to the final round of the International Photography Award context (IPA). This is one of the most important international photographic contexts. That image has been rejected in most of the PSA contexts (PIDC) I submitted it. I am worried that PSA contexts are becoming a money maker mostly. I received daily 5-10 mails a day about those. Since I started my star recognition I am keep doing this, but at the end of the day it costs several hundreds $ to get the recognition that is more about quantity then quality.
Sorry for my long reply. I just think the all star process should be reconsidered.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 03/30/2025 09:00:52
I accept the critique on the "image" itself. I have troubles to accept that judges won't see this as a travel photography. Again, just because you don't photograph the Duomo of Milan or the Coloseum, it should not put a picture down from being a travel photo, otherwise it become a stereotype. Again,these sculptures are a symbol of San Sebastian. The fact that they may not be famous as the David of Donatello, should not let a judge to put down an image as not a travel one. Indeed, if I would have been a judge this sculpture would raise interest in me to figure out what they are. The technical aspect is a different story.
About judging, let me tell you a story. I have one of my pictures that arrived to the final round of the International Photography Award context (IPA). This is one of the most important international photographic contexts. That image has been rejected in most of the PSA contexts (PIDC) I submitted it. I am worried that PSA contexts are becoming a money maker mostly. I received daily 5-10 mails a day about those. Since I started my star recognition I am keep doing this, but at the end of the day it costs several hundreds $ to get the recognition that is more about quantity then quality.
Sorry for my long reply. I just think the all star process should be reconsidered.
best wishes
Michele Posted: 03/30/2025 09:00:52
Michele. Number of points here….
- Your image is certainly a "Travel Image"! No doubt. But judges in any "competition " format have to decide which of this presented, are within roughly the top third, to be Accepted. The point is that we are suggesting most judges are likely to place this image within bottom 2/3. Don't forget, on-line judging requires them to conclude their score within about 6 seconds!
- IPA - I know nothing about this. I've had a quick look now and the images seem more 'focussed' on artistic merit and being for professionals.
- yup, we can get huge volumes of email!
Yes, to get enough Acceptances for initials, in some extent it's a volume game - but quality still has to be 'above average' in the eye of the 'average judge'. A good image that has impact (important this) will be easier to get Acceptances.
Posted: 03/30/2025 10:23:01
- Your image is certainly a "Travel Image"! No doubt. But judges in any "competition " format have to decide which of this presented, are within roughly the top third, to be Accepted. The point is that we are suggesting most judges are likely to place this image within bottom 2/3. Don't forget, on-line judging requires them to conclude their score within about 6 seconds!
- IPA - I know nothing about this. I've had a quick look now and the images seem more 'focussed' on artistic merit and being for professionals.
- yup, we can get huge volumes of email!
Yes, to get enough Acceptances for initials, in some extent it's a volume game - but quality still has to be 'above average' in the eye of the 'average judge'. A good image that has impact (important this) will be easier to get Acceptances.
Posted: 03/30/2025 10:23:01
Thanks for taking the time to answer.
Michele Posted: 03/30/2025 10:40:05
Michele Posted: 03/30/2025 10:40:05
Michele. Number of points here….
- Your image is certainly a "Travel Image"! No doubt. But judges in any "competition " format have to decide which of this presented, are within roughly the top third, to be Accepted. The point is that we are suggesting most judges are likely to place this image within bottom 2/3. Don't forget, on-line judging requires them to conclude their score within about 6 seconds!
- IPA - I know nothing about this. I've had a quick look now and the images seem more 'focussed' on artistic merit and being for professionals.
- yup, we can get huge volumes of email!
Yes, to get enough Acceptances for initials, in some extent it's a volume game - but quality still has to be 'above average' in the eye of the 'average judge'. A good image that has impact (important this) will be easier to get Acceptances.
Posted: 04/05/2025 07:53:22
- Your image is certainly a "Travel Image"! No doubt. But judges in any "competition " format have to decide which of this presented, are within roughly the top third, to be Accepted. The point is that we are suggesting most judges are likely to place this image within bottom 2/3. Don't forget, on-line judging requires them to conclude their score within about 6 seconds!
- IPA - I know nothing about this. I've had a quick look now and the images seem more 'focussed' on artistic merit and being for professionals.
- yup, we can get huge volumes of email!
Yes, to get enough Acceptances for initials, in some extent it's a volume game - but quality still has to be 'above average' in the eye of the 'average judge'. A good image that has impact (important this) will be easier to get Acceptances.
Posted: 04/05/2025 07:53:22
Michele - What an interesting sculpture! And thank you for your poetic description of how it melds with the rocks. I very much like the unusual composition, with the sculpture off to the side to emphasize how it fits with the geographic surroundings. I agree with you that photos like this are more interesting than straightforward depictions of more conventional structures such as churches. I like photos that make you think. Posted: 03/31/2025 01:16:47
Thank you Nancy to share your thoughts. I much appreciate it, as well as the contribution from the others.
best
Michele Posted: 03/31/2025 15:20:17
best
Michele Posted: 03/31/2025 15:20:17