Ferro, a photo from Venice, Veneto

Photographer's Note

A ferro is the piece of metal on the front end of a gondola. It is not only a decoration, it is serves a function, acting as a counterweight to the gondolier who stands at the rear of the boat. Somehow this distinctive shape is quite symbolic of Venice - simple, elegant, strong, with a past shrouded in mystery.

This was taken at ISO 3200, to keep the depth of field large and the shutter speed high. I never thought I would use high ISO's much before I got the D700, but it came in handy time and again on my trip.

carper, Floydian, derek3755, daddo, jonathan_hart, Dyerco, luisafonso, robiuk, gneufeld, ChrisJ, Bien, vinicio has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

cdmonson (5304) 2008-10-26 21:09

Hi Alvin:

Love it. It has a bit of an abstract feel to it with the wavy reflection. The gondola adds a nice foreground element.

Clark

danielswalsh (13597) 2008-10-26 21:14

Great to have you back Alvin- you were missed mate!

A very interesting and unique take on this 'ferro' (as you have taught us). It's well displayed against the bright and colorful upside down buildings in the reflection.

All the best Alvin, good to have you back.
- Dan (45 days)

Nelu_Goia (3116) 2008-10-26 21:37

Hi Alvin,
This is a very good post,this abstract image of Venice,but just because it`s so interesting I think it has a huge potential for some experimentation in Photoshop.
I wonder;how did you see it?
You might have a good new camera but the same old good eyes do the job...
Thank you,
Nelu

batalay (41261) 2008-10-26 22:35

Hello Alvin,

What a spectacular shot, imaginative and original. I am astonished, that the Nikon D700 can accommodate ISO 3200, but what a fabulous result. There is a little noise in the blue, but entirely minimal for such a high ISO, probably sufficient to photograph a black cat in a coal mine. In my new book, "Leonardo's Universe," that the National Geographic is about to release, the photo editor also used a similar reflection, the Bell Tower of the Florence Duomo, reflected in a puddle. (The book cobbles together the Renaissance art and defining National Geographic photographs.)

Warm regards,

Bulent

JLG (2086) 2008-10-27 1:03

hello Alvin
superbe photo
magnifiquement graphique et bien contrastйe
great shot
congratulation
jean louis

carper (96) 2008-10-27 1:05

iso 3200 it's marvelous Alvin,
the pov is good and the sharpnes and colours and reflection are fantastic, very good how you showing us that you have a good camera, have a nice day.
regar jaap

delkoo (68) 2008-10-27 1:07

hi alvin,
This is what I love about Venice.One can walk and point out almost anywhere for a spectacular shot. i am amazed by the quality of the photo although it was taken at 1600 iso.

great one
didier

Floydian (30970) 2008-10-27 2:19

Hi Alvin,
A nice well seen composition with an artistic touch to it. I never use iso 3200, but in some cases and it can be useful although i think this could also have been taken at a lower value. But the output quality here is very good...well done on the colours and composition.
Regards, Henk

devimeuxbe (58557) 2008-10-27 2:25

Hi Alvin
this is a very elegant shot, very well composed with the gondole in the middle. The colors of the reflexion are amazing
well done
Bertrand

PixelTerror (0) 2008-10-27 3:18

Ciao Alvin,
ISO 3200 is no longer something to worry about with the latest FF bodies, it helped you get here a very nice detail shot where the clarity from the reflected palazzi and blue sky contrast well with the ferro, I like its placement just at the junction of the 2.
Have a nice day JY

AiresSantos (56155) 2008-10-27 3:23

Hi Alvin
Lovely graphism in this spectacular composition
Great use of the 3200 ISO with your new magnificent camera. We don't see noise.
Fine colours and contrast
TFs and greetings
Aires

derek3755 (2341) 2008-10-27 3:31

Hi Alvin

Considering this was taken at ISO3200 with just a slight bit of noise showing in the blue, i would have to say thta's and extremely good result. Very nice creative shot with an excellent composition of the ferro aginst the reflection. Well seen.

Regards
Derek

daddo (28748) 2008-10-27 3:38

Hi Alvin. Superb image, full of colour and vigour. Love the strong light and vibrant colours and the whole creative aproach. Great to see something inspirational. Regards. Klaudio.

jonathan_hart (21276) 2008-10-27 5:28

original and well thought composition, the ferro between the two houses, the reflections of the other gondolas in the top, interesting undulations of the water
I think the yellow building is the same than the one I photographed in my reflections from Venice, a very interesting subject with the red patterns,
the only thing i could say negative is the hallo around the main gondola, in the blue area, just a detail, but...
regards
jc

dcawker (5717) 2008-10-27 5:46

Beautiful composition, Alvin.. I love the colors and balance to this shot too. Look forward to more of your Italy photos! Regards, Doug

giorgimer (35017) 2008-10-27 5:51

Hi Alvin,

excellent idea. I like the way you composed the image playing with brilliant, colorful reflections and shapes.

TFS

Gio

Burberry1 (6041) 2008-10-27 5:53

Wonderfully taken creative photo full of great colors and reflections.

Great work,
A.

Dyerco (10185) 2008-10-27 7:21

Hi Alvin
This is a unique composition and it works so well with the relections of the buildings. Great shot.
Cheers
Phil

luisafonso (862) 2008-10-27 7:47

I remember this exact spot Alvin. I tried to make a similar compo with my little G2 but I have to confess that I didn't succeed that much. Your is great! Love the vibrant solid colors very much.

Gustaw (21670) 2008-10-27 9:13

Hi, my friend!
I very like your photo from Italy! Very good and very oryginal. I like your conception. Very interesting reflections in water.
Marek

Fis2 (170747) 2008-10-27 12:59

Witaj Alvin!
Good idea, fantastic effect...
Excellent shot. I like the colors and sharpness. Congratulations!
Regards
Krzysztof

toni_al (15875) 2008-10-27 13:58

Salut Alvin
Belle exploitation des reflets. trиs graphique. Pas besoin de nous dire l'endroit
@+
Toni

Estelle (2766) 2008-10-27 14:56

Hello Alvin,
This is a splendid picture.
May I dare give an opinion on the picture of your master?!
I would have prefered without the black things at the top.
But the rest is really great
TFS
Estelle

robiuk (10807) 2008-10-27 16:38

Oh, this one is completely funky, Alvin and I like it a lot!
I can see you had a nice sunny weather (many times it can
dull when you least expect it!) in Venice, ideal for
photographing.
Dark ferro goes well together with these black wave-shaped
'thingies' along the top margin.
Cheers,
Robi

gneufeld (15890) 2008-10-27 18:42

Hi alvin,
A very "modern" painters like of look in this image. Interesting perspective and striking shapes and shimmering reflections. Seems your D700 has found a good home with you. Great work and TFS. Gerald

kiks (12805) 2008-10-28 3:15

HEllo Alvin, this is a high quality image!! The definition os teh well saturated colors is amazing and the sharpness excellent. The composition perfectly in balance resulting in a lovely result. Very good
Best regards
KIKs

Dianou (30) 2008-10-29 15:42

TRes originale, presque intriguante. Beau travail

nchen2000 (102) 2008-10-31 17:43

Hello Alvin:
Good imagination,I like the style.
Best regards,
Nelson

jrj (34843) 2008-11-03 8:57

Long time no see Alvin...
..and then you present stuff like this...
..a dream of a photo a good eye to catch the setting and motif..
..simply an outstanding result - IMPRESSIVE...

rgarrigus (0) 2008-11-03 9:00

Hi Alvin,

Classic Venice image. Colors are great and I like the repetition of the gondola prow shapes along the top. The grain in the blue section of water might benefit from a pass of noise reduction (Neat Image, Noise Ninja, whatever).

Cheers!

Bob G.

sacavem (18620) 2008-11-06 6:33

Olб Alvin,

Original composition. Excellent POV, superb capture. Good shot. Very interesting effect.Good luck.

Greetings,
Filipe

donluicu (24741) 2008-11-10 9:11

hi Alvin
this is a great capture,
very original framing

regards

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-11-11 9:56

Ola Alvin ,
Magnifica silhueta da proa da gondola , gostei muito do reflexo dos edifнcios , boas cores, parabйns !!
Um abraзo Gonзalo

setenay (7706) 2008-11-21 5:00

Hi Alvin,
what a beautiful reflections and POV,great shot,magnificent colors.Congratulations
Best wishes
setenay

francio64 (39888) 2008-12-08 5:16

Ciao Alvin,
un riflesso che rende la tua foto davvero artistica.
Un modo molto originale di vedere Venezia. L'introduzione della poppa della gondola con in primo piano il timone, rende la foto ancora piщ compositiva e artistica.

I miei complimenti!
Francesco

ChrisJ (171822) 2008-12-16 0:46

Hi Alvin

Fantastic, colourfulk reflections, with superb sharpness & graphism of the gondola prow. Tfs!

vinicio (23423) 2009-01-30 13:18

Perfect and wonderful image Alvin, compliments, great composition and high quality as usual, well done, I much like, also, the dark "hand" that comes from the other gondolas reflected in the water.
Congratulations.
Ciao
Vinicio

clio (27961) 2009-02-03 14:03

Hi Alvin,
The photos of reflections of gondolas and houses in the canals of Venice are usual on TE.
But I like very much the originality of this one. Houses make as half a circle around the ferro as to lock it.
It very well composed.
Very well done, bravo!
Diane