Arc of a Diver

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Written by Scott K Marshall
This is probably the image that made me take photography more seriously - for along time I regarded it as my best shot - the last time I rolled this out was May last year and it recived a mere 8 likes (I was dissapointed but was not long in to blogging so no real surprises. Anyway this shot is a wet film rescan and is now 25 years old - so here is my question has it stood the test of time? Secondly do you think it reflects my style as you have come to know it? Any feedback would be appreciated.
This is probably the image that made me take photography more seriously – for a long time I regarded it as my best shot – the last time I rolled this out was May last year and it received a mere 8 likes (naturally I was dissapointed but was not long in to blogging so no real surprises. Anyway this shot is a wet film rescan and is now 25 years old – so here is my question has it stood the test of time? Secondly do you think it reflects my style as you have come to know it? Any feedback would be appreciated.

30 Comments

  2. It’s certainly a dramatic and arresting image and I can’t help but muse on other versions there might be.

    I think you could crop the sky in a bit from the top and that would help concentration on the figure. At the moment there is a slight tendency to look past the toes to the sky.

    I suspect it might help to extend the sky a little to the left using content-aware fill (assuming you have Photoshop CS5 or CS6).

    The highlights on the sign are a little distracting. Pulling them back would be tricky but might help (probably easiest with Vivesa).

    I rather like the idea of getting rid of the sign and brackets altogether, and have her just suspended in the sky (say carefully cloning sky into the end of the brackets and then using content aware fill to eliminate the rest).

    I also like the idea of dropping her into a different background – say a photograph of a waterfall taken from above. You’d need to be careful about colour balance, lighting direction and mask edges.

    1. This an old wet film image which was probably one of the shots that made take my photography more seriously – I use Photoshop Elements 11 and generally only adjust white balance, clarity and a little colour boost then crop. I have taken some selections and wouldn’t being averse to your suggestion it would be something different to do – I shall place that in my photo ideas book and come back to it when the weather is poor – cheers Murray thanks for your thoughts valued.

  3. This photo shows that you already had a good eye for shots a long time ago.
    Your current photos, however, show your progress, your personality, your soul. They are unmistakable. Without your great photos I would probably still walking around with my old digital camera 🙂

    1. That is a lovely thing to say Nicol and I am glad you still take an interest in my work. Equally it is great to see you enjoying your photography and moving forward – regards Scott

  4. After reading all the comments, Scott, it’s just as well you’re a versatile photographer…! 😉 Seems we are all different and enjoy different images as well.
    It’s the ‘perspective’ that attracts me firstly to your images; they are ‘generally’ extremely well balanced to my eye. The contrast of colours is always tangible, as are the elements and focus. In short, Scott, you know I love your images, and not just a certain genre either, which makes me appreciate that I firstly love the technical qualities, and secondly the aesthetics…

  5. 8 ‘likes’ as a novice blogger is doing quite well, I’d say! I think this is bold and graphic, almost abstract, but as for your best shot… I don’t know… the two pics at the top of your ‘Top Post & Pages’ column take some beating. The group of three ladies on Shetland (or Orkney?) is also brilliant. What I think I mean is, someone else could possibly take a similar pic of the red lady statue (because presumably she’s there all the time!) but to capture expressions, character, atmosphere and lighting you have to be in exactly the right place at the right time, and also know what you’re doing with your camera before it’s too late!! Hope this makes sense and is of some help!

    1. Jo it makes perfect sense and is of great help, I think perhaps I failed to communicate properly. The image is 25 years old and was one of my favourites for a long time – still is in many ways (bold colour and shadow etc) but better have followed perhaps because of what I learned when several that followed this image were a huge dissapointment so I set about understanding why I got that right and others wrong. Also kit is so much better now – digital has changed everything. Great response many thanks.

  6. My first initial impression was that it definitely was NOT your style. But, the more I looked at it, the more it did indeed start to feel like it was, Scott. I personally love the shot – It feels old world & new world all at the same time.

    1. Tahira, that is very interesting to hear – as I admitted to Phil I got the idea from a holiday guide but was struck by the colour and contrast, cheers.

  7. I find the image appealing Scott largely I think due to the composition. It’s difficult to take a photo of something like a sign and not have it look kind of
    snapshotish.
    Now I have that Steve Winwood song in my head.

    1. Cheers – Phil – I will be up front here and admit I had seen this shot and another angle in a holiday guide before going and I tried to copy the image. But it did have agreat affect on how I look at shots as I couldn’t believe how sharp and colourful it was (manual focus, wet film no preview) those were the days.

  9. I like this one very much Scott. The composition is really interesting and I can see why it’s been a favourite of yours. Your love of the highlands is reflected in your landscape photography which tends to dominate here. I really liked the picture you took at the British Museum though and also the ladies on the bench so I know there is a lot more to your photography than landscapes although you clearly have a talent for them. I don’t know about style but I imagine as you progress through your course you’re going to be tackling all sorts of assignments that are going to challenge you and take you outside your comfort zone.

  11. I remember seeing this shot and it struck me at the time as very unusual. I think I actually like it more this time round, perhaps because I appreciate your skill as a photographer more now, having seen the great range of work you produce. As for it reflecting your style, I think it does, in that it is a typically surprising shot from a chap who is constantly surprising me. You are never predictable Scott, despite your reputation as a landscape photographer. Anyone who regularly reads your blog will see that you are not to be pigeon-holed, because you’re always coming up with new and fresh ideas. I’ve looked at a lot of photography blogs and I can’t claim to be any sort of expert, but yours is something special, in my opinion.

  13. I think I may have seen this image right from the start.
    It took some of us time to get used to the other you, as we have gotten to know you as this great landscapephotographer, who knew where to go for brilliant sceneries, sunsets and a few rises 😉
    Can only speak for myself, but was pleasantly surprised to see it then, and still am for seeing it back again.

    1. very generous Nandi, like I said I was a bit dissapointed when I put on Facebook and also on here the first time around – I think it would work well as a poster in an office environment. Although a photo that is as 25 is worrying.

  14. This is so different but so nice… I haven’t seen any diver from this side while in the action. On the other hand, there is a fashionable touches too, the colours are amazing… everything is in great harmony, made me to think about a poster of an advertisement too… Yes, different, impressive, and so nice. Thank you dear Scott, love, nia

  16. Personally, I think it’s a ‘nice’ shot…. but it’s a bit kitschy for my taste. I’m sure there will be plenty who disagree with me. 😉

    1. I suppose that’s the subjectivity piece – it is kitschy but as an object not as an image – equally it is 25 year old – digital has arrived and I have learned lots. For me I always loved the colour – striking and powerful. One thing is for certain – got lots of response ha ha.

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