Ice Comet

looks very interesting..

Love this! I am assuming it is a chunk of ice with water flowing around it? This is really creative!!

David - yes, it's the water flowing back to the ocean again after a wave first covered the chunk of ice and pushed it further ashore.

Beautiful. That long exposure really works on the water. The shadows and lines make it even better.

A very unique take on "the ice on the beach" theme.Wonderful diagonal flow and the B+W treatment accentuates this nicely. I do seem to wish for more texture in the ice - probably because it is so bright in some spots. I might be tempted to darken those areas slightly. Outstanding work, Marsel!

Beautiful, almost abstract, image, Marsel! I love how you captured the flow of the water.

I agree with all of the other comments; stellar composition that is great in B&W because it's all about form and lines and the formless.

After studying this for awhile, I'm still having some difficulty interpreting what I'm seeing. There is evidence in it of two aspects of liquidity; the obvious laminar, diagonal flow lines and the static, clear, seemingly solid, yet amorphos and on-crystalline element that is interrupting flow; with bubbles "trapped" within it.

I assume the blackness is the lack of light reflection from the underlying, famous black beach of which I've never before heard. One wonders if the seemingly solid obect is glass, a super cooled liquid, itself made of fused sand, here selectively reflecting some light rays while allowing others to pass through into the black beach below.

But back to the beginning, I like the strong diagonal lines suggesting motion contrasted against the amorphous, seemingly static subject form and the way the mind tends to oscillate back and forth between wondering what is moving and what is stationary; and then finally concluding that Einstein was right; motion is relative, and the speed of light is a constant: c?.

Thanks for your insights John - much appreciated. You make some interesting points. But the beach is indeed black because of volcanic activity. The chunk of ice is stationary, the water is flowing back to the sea from right to left after yet another wave. It never really occurred to me that this might be a confusing shot, but I see now that it could be. Glad you like it.

Cool shot. The water motion really does make it look like the ice is flying.

Marsel, this is an awesome shot, any way you slice it. Not only is the subject matter pretty unique, the illustration you suggest is easily seen. It looks hot (I like your use of highlights to emphasize that), but I still wonder if the blue natural color would help to make this more "outer space" like. This shot put me on a pretty cool journey, thanks for sharing

Super neat shot!

great B&W treatment here... the motion lines captures are beautiful, makes it look like this chunk of ice is speeding through them. Well seen

Wow, this may be the most dramatic image ever from there. Just amazing!

Love that motion...think I want it just a bit more off center...but that's just me. What a tough life :)

aF

Thanks!

Navin - there are many different kinds of ice, and this is not the blue kind. The original shot is almost BW already apart from some warm light in the upper right quarter.

After reading the comments I feel this shot is even more artistic, the thoughts, emotions and interpretations that it created (intended or not) I feel is superb, again great work (vision) Marsel.....

While there might not be a single specific subject I've seen shot more this past year, this is a refreshing take on it and I appreciate what kind of work must go into photographing this turbulent and ever-changing location.

Very nice b/w image Marsel. The details in the larger version are excellent. I almost feel like I'm moving when I look at the larger version.

While there might not be a single specific subject I've seen shot more this past year

I've seen way more mountains, streams and trees than chunks of ice though.

Thanks for all your comments!

Super shot Marsel! The diagonal streaks are great and the lack sand underneath contrasts nicely. It really is a great beach to photograph! I did try something similar when I was there, but failed miserably.... Reallt should try again, maybe on your 2014 tour

Cool, reminds me of 'Speed Race' Sheesh...im dating myeslf
Nice abstract.

Sorry, I meant 'location' not 'subject'. But it's a credit to your eye to be able to pull out something that feels different from there, even if it's become so recognizable. Also, I've always felt your ability to both develop new places and photograph old ones in new ways is an extraordinary talent.

Marsel, This is wonderful! Great composition and I love the motion.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Amazing, Marsel, simply amazing! I'm loving the long exposure!

Mesmerizing image with your usual unique perspective - marvelous!
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy