Magical Dawn, a photo from Hai Phong, Red River Delta

Photographer's Note

This is the first of my Vietnam trip's picture. This was taken at the Halong Bay, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

I woke up early that morning. At 6:00 am, I was ready to set forth with my camera. Breakfast will be at 7:00 so I hurried outside to kill the time. It was cold because it just rained the night before. I walked to the direction of the shore. I spotted three small fishing boats with some fisherman going about their morning routine. I walked very near them. The bay was misty but it looks magical. I looked for a good angle to include these two boats for this shot. I shot more and more. On this pre-breakfast session alone, I took almost 50 shots. This is the one of my favorites. I hope that you will like it too.

I use the cooling filter of PS. I did my usual auto-adjustments, USM and use curves to bring out some details in he boat. I don't really like the plastic chair in the boat but this is what reality is.

paguru, maciekda, ChrisJ, jrj, strangiato, piozac, airin, gg01, Steely, bertolucci, eleparc, jhonny_blue, Philippe, Rinie_Hoff, Jeppe, avigur_11, nwoehnl, summer89, Kenny10pin, carper, sunny, zto, femkevdh, CoolDan, luis_paulino, Motrem, longpt, garcia, cgrindahl, touristdidi, taivo, Pompey, htremblay, Letr, Riz, ngythanh, jim007, Janice, Albrecht, majastan, banyanman, MLINES, ercanuto, realimis, h_sedghi, kyzer has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

maciekda (19895) 2004-04-16 3:53

hi Manny! so you went to Vietnam! wow!
great start here, wonderful picture, so moody. i really like those colors here - especially those blues, they create a very special atmosphere... the compo is good, everything is sharp and clear, very nice

[2]

desman (2222) 2004-04-16 3:55

tr鑣 joli et tellement paisible. bravo

ChrisJ (171884) 2004-04-16 4:00

Incredible sharpness & luminosity in this image.

jrj (34843) 2004-04-16 4:10

Impressive taking up to 50 shots for the one very best. But when the result come out as good as here it shuold be worth the effort. Very fine mood and perfect with the mist in the back. Very good nature shot Manny

airin (172) 2004-04-16 4:12

Wow, great picture, Manuel. Special atmosphere here when the day wakes up. I like the contrast of dark boats and people on the white foggy backgroung.

strangiato (10) 2004-04-16 4:13

Vietnam is so photogenic and Halong Bay is no exception. This is a very nice mix of peaceful morning life and the fantastic scenery which is slowly unveiling itself. Very well done!

piozac (2065) 2004-04-16 4:15

The same plastic chairs all over the world :))

This shot is great Manny! I like this cold colours, compo and mist covering this rocks in the background. It's misty indeed.
Very good photo, congrats!

gg01 (355) 2004-04-16 4:17

C'est calme et reposant. Tr鑣 jolie photographie de la Baie d'Halong.Le cadrage est parfait.

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calm and resting. Very pretty photography of the Bay d'Halong. Framing is perfect.

cmartos (242) 2004-04-16 4:27

A magic shot for a magic pictue. The misty mood is very well rendered. As allways, composition is outstanding. A calm and living picture at the same time. Congratulations Manny.

Steely (895) 2004-04-16 4:30

Nice manny.
enough light to see details on the boats, with mist and a shallow DOF to keep the hills non-intrusive

beautiful :)

bertolucci (14052) 2004-04-16 4:36

A magical atmosphere indeed. As if these two utilitarian but lovely boats are heading into some short of twilight zone. I like the compo, subdued colours and refelection in the water. Well seen. Excellent work, Manny.

eleparc (24063) 2004-04-16 4:41

for someone who did not shoot in vietnam, not bad!:-)) Do you really want to give an inferiority complex to the other TE members.. me particularly;-) LOL This is a state-of-the-art photo Manny. I did not even notice the plastic chair until you mentionned it;-)
waouh! i would crave shooting sthg like this:-) what is this coolong filter you mention?

clodreno (0) 2004-04-16 4:56

Very nice landscpae Manuel. Different from your other shots. A classical travel picture.Very nice. Wish I will travel there one day.Thanks

gringofil (0) 2004-04-16 5:00

Nice shot Manny. I really like the position of the boats and the way you were shooting from a low angle. The mist combined to make a very interesting shot.

Is that a foreign looking person in the first boat wearing the pink hat? Can't be sure, but to me he does not look Vietnamese. Anyway, great shot you've captured here and the chairs don't bother me. They are a reality, therefore must be included.

jhonny_blue (4956) 2004-04-16 5:03

One more wonderful picture and composition !
Congratulations !

sekl (2063) 2004-04-16 5:07

Perfect, Manuel!
Cool picture in the cool day!
Did you vignette the corners deliberately or shot through foliage? It is a good effect.

olli (2091) 2004-04-16 5:53

Excellent shot, manny. I especially like those two boats are so bright � and how they are surrounded by soft blue tones. Interesting details (I like the plastic chairs), very intensive atmosphere. Vow.

Philippe (11836) 2004-04-16 6:57

Veru good shot, excellent composition. I wish I could take some like this one. The two boats and the people on them doing their usual routine and the fantastic landscape in the backgournd. What an antmosphere. A small remark maybe: the sky seems to be whiter in the centre if you compare it with the left and right. Is it due to the mist?

aferrao (1145) 2004-04-16 7:00

In one word: Perfect!

The composition, the fog that brings to the scene something mistic, the colours, the good definition,...

Like I've said, perfect!

Rinie_Hoff (9340) 2004-04-16 7:20

Hi Manny, this is a picture with a great atmosphere. How well you present it to us. The light is so beautiful, and the atmosphere so peaceful. I think its a typical early morning shot. Very good. Thank you.

Jeppe (18654) 2004-04-16 7:32

Yet another great work from your hand (camera) The hazy horizon with soft sunlight gives an excellent background for this beautiful composition.

Truly a Magical Dawn - very well done Manuel.

Darren (6823) 2004-04-16 7:41

This is very good Manny. I like the soft, subdued colors and I think the diagonal formed by the two boats is very effective. The fog is very appealing too. Perhaps it would be even better if one of the people were looking your way slightly? Good one.

StephT (155) 2004-04-16 7:42 [Comment]

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avigur_11 (22553) 2004-04-16 9:58

Wow, Manuel, such a great shot, wonderful mood.
I don't like the palstic cahir, either, but it is not so important. I like the fog and the hanged laundry. Great shot.

nwoehnl (122) 2004-04-16 10:03

Awesome first posting from your Vietnam trip, Manny. The scene with the two boats and the people on them couldn't be prettier or better captured - great reflection, very good details, and a stunning mood with the fog. Amazing work, hats off to you. Can't wait to see the next one. And, I don't recall I ever took 50 shots before 7 AM ;-)

henrye (3500) 2004-04-16 11:00

Great photo. The moment you captured is very special, especially with the mist in the background. Great tech work too, the enhancements you made to the photo is very good.

summer89 (5422) 2004-04-16 11:47

Great day life picture from Vietnam, Manuel.

The composition it's great and the fog give same mistery to the photo.

Well done

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-04-16 12:02

The focus is all there, well done and the mist in the background is fantastic, i also like the clothes that are hanging out to dry, superb shot

Luko (14000) 2004-04-16 13:03

Funny how things change, your last compos would rather look like pictures taken by younger days Maciek, Fil, or other people who like to have a certain distance in order to include their subject into an environment.

This might be a very personal feeling or taste but I prefer this kind of distance that allows more things to come through the funnel of the lens (this is also why I advocate for wide angle photography...) and let the photographer play with outside lines and shapes.

The boats are simple and rough like two more rocks piled on the Halong bay, nothing to do with elegant Thai long boats or colorful Nha Trang fishing boats.

I think you're wrong on your appreciation to the plastic chair, it brings such as the drying cloth a break from the monolithic and quite depressive feel here.

[2]

carper (96) 2004-04-16 14:14

What can I say more, everything is said. Great one, Manuel with a fantastic depth.

dominique (11414) 2004-04-16 15:44

A powerful composition, place is marvellous like this scenne, likes the light, a beautiful picture

sunny (3069) 2004-04-16 16:45

It was worth to get up so early, Manny! ;-) Amazing shot with a lot of mistic in it. Some of the details are looking as silhouettes and together with the people and misty background work wonderfully to create the special early morning atmosphere in sea.
Excellent shot, Manny - congratulations!!!

zto (268) 2004-04-17 6:40

Beautifull and magical Many. See, mist is good sometimes. It really has potential to bring out the magic in a shot. Especially the morning mist when there is also this magic light. Cooing filter seem nice. Time to check out the new version of PS :) There is a bit of vingeting in the picture, did you add that in pp or did it come out that way from the camera? Either way, i kind of like it. It frames the boat very very softley.

femkevdh (2633) 2004-04-17 20:11

I hope that means there's 49 more to come? Magical is indeed the right word for this scenery. FANTASTIC atmosphere you captured here!! Hooray for waking up early! A Favourite!!

CoolDan (2516) 2004-04-18 17:04

C'est une magnifique premi鑢e photo tr鑣 bien pr閟ent閑 Manuel. On dirait une sc鑞e surr閍liste avec ce brouillard. Nice shot.

gmsanchez (0) 2004-04-19 19:32

Again another beautiful photo in Halong. Ambience, water texture, the fog, light, quite life. Very Nice.

luis_paulino (904) 2004-04-20 18:36

Excelent. Very nice and diferent photo. I love it.

joseelias (0) 2004-04-21 9:11

As I said before your Post-Processing create stunning images even when they are not portraits. The contrast between the some vivid colors and the usual grey cast work very well.

Beside that the composition is just beautiful, very calm although dinamic. I would not have noticed the chair unless you've mentioned...

Eagle78 (1933) 2004-04-22 9:44

I磎 still trying to know how could i have missed your work after belonging to the family after almost 6 months ;) Wow! I磎 really impressed with your work, and this is another wonderful example of that! Great capture...i磍l surely wait for your coming posts :) Keep them coming Manuel!

RGatward (20108) 2004-04-28 4:13 [Comment]

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Motrem (2392) 2004-04-29 11:16

Incredibly beautiful, the mist gives a peaceful aspect to their morning action as if the time had stopped. Great shot!

Incroyablement beau, la brume donne un aspect paisible � leur action du matin comme si le temps s'閠ait arr阾�.

longpt (947) 2004-05-02 0:59

I saw this picture as many time because you say this is the first picture of your trips to Vietnam. So I decided wait for the
last picture of the serials. All I say about this picture that you do like a "TRANH THUY MAC", a special kind of traditional drawing. Simple and strange color that make the life more simple - MAGIC DRAW! I've really that your view through lens are PERFECT!

garcia (254) 2004-05-05 7:12

This photo is simply espectaculo, all it since the reason to the environment that encircles it is fenomenal, the existing light in this fog makes of it a full photo of mystery, adored, adored.

philip_coggan (11) 2004-05-09 6:21

Fantastic Manny, just wonderful - very top level work.

touristdidi (8583) 2004-05-14 4:16 [Comment]

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yesterday (9833) 2004-05-15 5:49

Excellent compoced, good contrast, and great mood, then the boat slowly move into the mist.

bartove (2866) 2004-05-30 4:31

wonderful picture,great mood. i like the misty atmosphere.

naxius (16685) 2004-06-02 15:12

At first glance, I didn't see the plastic chair in the first boat, but, honnestly, who cares about it ??!

The atmosphere, the light, the fog in the background, well, all of this shot is so nice to watch. I'd love to make the same kind of pictures!
Thank to share with us Manuel.

taivo (1843) 2004-06-05 12:25

Very nice shot and good use of the fog. I've been there 2 times and it seems to be foggy all the time at Halong bay. The composition is just perfect with hints of the rocks in the distance. Mysterious and excellent shot.

photosettle (1554) 2004-06-11 11:40

Great image. The chair is just a reminder of the mixed culture of old and new. Very soothing to view and nice composition.

htremblay (1666) 2004-06-14 23:00 [Comment]

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Letr (0) 2004-07-30 9:58

Everything has been said ..simply superb Manny !!

Riz (0) 2004-08-10 20:29

well captured manny love the positioning well captued

totetuti (83) 2004-09-05 21:58

perfect exposure!!!

Kroto (48) 2004-09-22 13:41

Une ambiance toute sp閏iale, bien rendue par cette photo. Et je ne pouvais m'emp阠her d'y ajouter 2 points, pour lui faire franchir le cap du 100!

sohrab (7439) 2004-09-29 16:24

this link is the best compliment that i can give to this photograph
hope you enjoy it
take
http://www.magnumphotos.com/c/htm/CDocZ_MAG.aspx?Stat=DocThumb_DocZoom&o=&DT=ALB&E=2K7O3RJT54EL&Pass=&Total=66&Pic=33&SubE=2S5RYDOB8719

letjen (832) 2004-10-19 2:18

A travel photo but has humanist touch
Good control of exposure

sn00zie (2384) 2004-10-19 11:30

really magical.. beautiful view here Manny. misty and enigmatic.

michel_r (1118) 2004-10-29 18:24

This is top work and over impressive. The only disturbing part is this !!*?#! chair. The look of the woman, the stance of the man fitting to the wooden stick,.. this is exactly as you say, magical.... I was refered here by curtis. What a good recommendation. I love this picture.

ngythanh (8458) 2004-10-30 7:38

If your name is not attached to this photo, I would say that it is a result of assignment by National Geographic's photographers. Congratulations and thanks.

jim007 (96) 2004-10-30 15:53

Everything there is to say about this photo pretty much said by everybody. Another masterpiece Manny.

alford (4063) 2004-11-01 20:12

Excellent shot Manny! Very clear and sharp despite the mist! Very well done! Rgds.

Janice (4403) 2004-12-04 2:27

Yes, I do like it. So still, so serene, but there is still action going on and you have captured it all. Well done and thankyou for sharing, Janice

puffy (263) 2005-01-13 16:00

Beautiful picture; Manny, it look so magical with the background like that. :) I actually think you capture something that is so magical and yet so real due to the plastic chair. Most properlly this boat is their house too.

Praetzer (209) 2005-01-24 4:29

Excellent framing and exposure.
Very much like the scenery.
Alfred

AEG (2449) 2005-02-05 14:08

Super wspania砮 foto
pozdrawiam Pawe�

faubry (35447) 2005-03-27 20:01

really great picture, good light and sweet colors, wonderful picture, i like it, quiete place
thanks
francine

fray (240) 2005-03-31 1:36

amazing shot! love the position of the boats, the people in it and the foggy background, tells a story by itself. the shadows on the side also works, the pink cast on th upper-center was a bit unatural but still a great image!

mrbialy (2568) 2005-04-03 15:10

Amaizing image. They look like aliwe. Perfect color and sharpnes. I am really like this picture.
Nice mistic mist. Wonderful places and wonderful shot.

kclai (2267) 2005-04-20 21:57

Hi Manny
Cool shot of the atmosphere. I'm really appreciate your photos, reflecting the daily life of humans all around the world to see. And the best way to witness such global faces and events is your photos in TE. Thank you, Manny.
Hope to see more of your daily life series.
Regards. Eric Lai

tontonjc (6623) 2005-04-23 14:18

Tout simplement splendide .. De l'huile et des silhouettes color閑s de r陃es.

Wonderful . Bravo

easybob (0) 2005-05-06 10:02

Salut Manuel,

si tu lis ce petit message, et bien sache que je trouve ton travail extraordinaire. Tr鑣 vives f閘icitations.

Albrecht (11283) 2005-06-10 10:56

Wonderful shot. I can't sat anymore news Manuel. greetings Albrecht

tarta (327) 2005-06-10 10:57

Beatiful shot! It's so calm and so vital. I like a lot the magic atmosphere of the mist. Colours and contrast are perfect.
Very good work.
Ciao ;)

chounet1 (27) 2005-07-31 11:35 [Comment]

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majastan (75) 2005-08-29 10:33

All I can say is wonderful picture and great reflections. And the boats are pefectly sharp.

eloisa (186) 2005-09-08 11:31

but the chair is great!
is this single detail that turn everything into our time, away from the rest, wich is really coming directly from the middle age.
perfect light, great shot.

partha (14023) 2005-10-17 14:02

This is really facinating.I can only say this is almost a perfect pic.Thans a lot for sharing.

banyanman (7797) 2005-11-04 7:45

I thought I had critqued this before, Manny, but apparently not. So I am pleased it popped up on your home page. This is undoubtedly one of the best photos I have seen from Ha Long Bay. Composition is superb, and the lighting has created a superbly atmospheric shot (your use of the cooling filter may have contributed to that too). I am adding this to my favourites. Cheers . . .David

MLINES (12516) 2006-01-31 1:46

Most interesting capture of this family lifestyle on a boat. Very good atmosphere to this. Thanks & well done.

stiberiu50 (187) 2006-04-16 9:37

Nice atmosphere transmited. Wery well done.

livermore (1631) 2006-08-05 13:37

Magnifique!
Cette POV est un vrai petit chef d'oeuvre.
Vincent

m_s_s (1691) 2006-10-16 12:49

Hello Manuel
Really amazing shot. this composition, colours, really great. great work. thanks for sharing.
reagards

iGirl (1223) 2006-10-18 15:17

Hi Manny, awesome fog, great composition, and the plastic chair does not bother me. :) Also nice lighting effect.

Thanks for sharing!

Erin

pari_ali (433) 2006-11-04 7:36

I agree with everyone who says portaits are your forte, I have looked at a few gorgeous portraits by you. I love this pic too though it is full of atmosphere and truly magical

flory (4848) 2006-11-13 4:53

ciao Manuel,
great shot you've captured here and the plastic chair don't bother me..they are a reality..very good sharpness and luminosity..i like the fog and the hanged laundry.
tfs,
flory

sebcz (2345) 2006-11-26 3:36

Hi Manuel!
A lovely mood has been captured here, misty background and the line created by the boats are nicely composed.
Regards,
Seb

fanoo (500) 2007-08-29 12:21

Hi Manuel
great colors.
I like much the backround in the fog
You seized one moment tr閟 peaceful and at the same time full with life
Well done !

kyzer (341) 2008-06-04 11:41

Greetings Manuel,

Very good reflection ...excellent perception of the depth shown by capture of the misty horizon..

I happy that you agree that though the chair is disturbing and still you kept it..i am from the school of thought that nothing should be altered in the image... there are lot of poeople who do PP and get the best out of an image (though it is hard work and technique).. but you miss the reality..

Great Work,
Paddyrags

vmukherjee (614) 2008-08-28 19:43

Nice shot. The misty dawn really looks magical.

gedul56 (158) 2010-01-29 2:14

Hi Manuel. Wonderfull picture again! The atmosphere is great. A picture which does'nt need words. TFS Gerrit

sittipong (251) 2011-02-23 6:26

It was life like photo.
Regards,
Sittipong