Bondi Dreaming - Holga

[Herriot]

Two plastic camera photographs taken from the icebergs swimming club, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated as always.

Many thanks
Herriot

[Greg McCary]

I see no issues with the first one. I like the old faded color look to it, as well as the second one. I feel the swimmer on the second one, right side, is to close to the frame. I also think that the swimmers heading out of frame and against each other hurts the composition as well. I think the swimmers could be easily moved where you want them with PhotoShop.

[Herriot]

Thanks Greg, the first one is certainly the 'main' image, I like the faded colours, it feels quite dream-like just watching the surfers and the waves in the distance.

Thanks again
Herriot

[Skyman]

Personally I don't think the Holga adds the right elements to these shots to make them work. The point of focus on the first one is a little off putting. I want the beach and / or the houses to be a bit sharper. Although I admit that doing this would let us know that it is a contemporary shot as the high rises are clearly visible - robbing the image of the old worldly charm from the Holga.

In the second photo it is the framing that kills it. I understand that you wanted to put the rocks in to show that it is Bondi but it doesn't quite work. As a Sydney resident, it could be any of about 50 ocean side pools along the coast. Also I think the swimmers feel cramped and the flippers and hand fins of the man again rob the shot of its old worldy charm.

[LeeIs]

I really love that first one. I think the Holga works great there. the waters seem to melt and it gets really surreal. Very good.

[rossi46]

My first post here as a beginner, and please pardon my poor use of words to describe things.

First Picture -
Sorry to appear like I am "patting on your back".
But I absolutely love the first photo because -
- I like the composition, showing the pool and the sea,..and the background.
- I think the use of holga like colour really suits this,...with mostly blue-ish faded tones.

Unlike what Skyman had posted, I prefer the slightly "out-of-focus" look in the background and overall. Because I think the Holga old world charm looks somehow fits this image well.

It certainly gives me the type of "James Bond 1960s or 70s movies" look, with the bikini girls having a swim,..relaxing at the pool side.

Honeslty, could not find a weakness in the first picture.


Second Picture -
I think alot is wrong with the composition and overall.
I looked at it several times, and I find myself hard to visualize how I would have taken that close up picture to make it look better.

My opinion is, would the picture look better if taken this way? -
First option -
Show more of the open sea water (making up about two thirds) - this is to highlight more of the rich and deep blue sea color,...and the breaking waves hitting the rock.
And the rock should be on the right top corner of the image instead of middle.
Show less of the swimming pool (making up about one third).

Second option -
If you want to show more of the pool rather than the open sea,...how about capturing it from further back (more zoomed out), capture it in more landscape composition than a closed up squarish image.

I think this will illustrate more of the swimming pool lines (lanes) and the line dividing the pool and the open sea.
We can also use the deep blue sea, white breaking waves and a couple of rocks as the framing on the top of the image.

[draymorton]

Who is this Holga that everyone keeps talking about? A massage therapist? The proverbial fat lady with horns?

Fantastic set of images. The composition in #1 captures the sprawling setting really well. And the colors (thanks, no doubt, to the mysterious Holga) add tons of nostalgia. Perfect, really. Well-deserved feature.