Need a bathroom sink?

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted February 7, 2009674 views6 comments

While looking for the endangered piping plover one day in april along the shoreline of Moriches Bay in Westhampton Dunes I came across this scene. I actually found 7 plovers in the immediate area and was struck by the juxtaposition. In the background (which I know is crooked) are multi-million dollar beach homes, built on a barrier island which was rebuilt at a cost to the Army Corp of Engineers north of $200 million in the mid 90's after a storm destroyed this portion of the barrier island (google westhampton dunes for the complete story). I find it ridiculous and wholly irresponsible that the people who have built/bought homes in this area for the sheer beauty of it, would not take the time to clean up their own trash. Nothing like enjoying your 2 million dollar house by looking at someone's toilet in the bay while your children swim nearby. . .

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Hank Pennington on February 7, 2009 at 10:21 AM

Great catch Luke!

Juxtaposition is a really powerful tool for EPJ. As you point out, the sloping horizon is problematic, and I'd be straightening that before submitting this anywhere, but that's an easy fix. I find your DOF just right for showing the background while keeping viewers' attention on the foreground. You might bump the brightness and contrast a wee bit, but gently, for a little more impact. The way it is now, the foreground lighting appears to be open shade, which is consistent with the cloudy sky.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 226 Posts, 1532 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Foss on February 7, 2009 at 10:30 AM

Excellent linking of the foreground and background elements, Luke. A toilet and sink placed in an expanse of otherwise intact beach would carry a strong message as it stands, but this image shows us all the development that spawned the castaway fixtures.

I needed the back story to realize piping plovers were involved, and I see this image as a key piece of a photo story that involves other photos. Had there been a piping plover actually in this image, it would have been able to stand completely alone or at least be the centerpiece photograph of the spread.

Strong work.

On a technical level, you might try leveling the horizon and see if you like that better. To level or not to level, that's the question.

Registered on June 7, 2006, 90 Posts, 525 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on February 7, 2009 at 2:52 PM

So sad. Definitely the story of refuse spawned by development is told by this photo alone. If a piping plover was standing on that sink or toilet you may have even more of a story. Well done.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM

Congratulations on the EP Luke! This image says a lot, on several levels, about the short sightedness of our own species.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 24, 2009 at 10:32 AM

As a kid I worked digging clams throughout the Great South Bay (grew up in Mastic Beach). It was amazing some of the stuff I'd find on the bottom of that bay. Here in California we had a program to dump thousands of toilets to create an artificial reef. Turns out the lobsters love 'em. Nice work, and congratulations on the EP!

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 19, 2009 at 2:35 PM

Interesting scene and story behind the shot Luke,
Thanx for sharing this

Howard

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments