Gross Ignorance

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted January 27, 2011757 views8 comments

I was out shooting pelicans one afternoon on a bayou, near a boat ramp, and I couldn't help but notice this trash floating around about 15 feet offshore. While I was there two boats put in; one went right by this, looked down and saw but did nothing. I felt more than a little sheepish for being quiet. The next boat I actually asked then if they wouldn't mind picking it up; they said "sure", then put in and zoomed away without ever looking back. Sometimes, I just don't understand people!!

Besides being a hazard to wildlife and an eyesore, from a photography point of view it ruined what could have been a dandy little abstract scene.

LARGER version available for much better detail.

D2X w/ 70-200 VR @ 200mm
1/125 @ f/4
320 ISO
No filters
Tripod
Capture One 6, CS4, TK's Sharpening

Critiques, suggestions, and comments always welcomed and greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 27, 2011 at 9:31 PM

Hi Bill, Not the usual image from you (even though the colors are nice

) but unfortunately this sort of scene is all too familiar. The "ugly" shots can catch people's attention in a poster or article, but I think images are more powerful when they include a more obvious view of natural beauty or people trying to enjoy the area that is spoiled by the litter. Another approach is to get a shot of good citizens setting an examply by cleaning up. I know you tried for that, and the story of the results of your effort are just as sad as the original littering.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by David Page on January 28, 2011 at 5:52 PM

Bill, send this off to Miller Light and see if they'll do an anti-litering ad

Hey, you never know. Do agree this would've been a beautiful abstract. However, that lone can and trash bag speaks volumes as a representation of our "throw away" society.

Its a shame that people still freely throw their waste where ever they seem fit (car window or in this case - overboard). Thanks for the post.

Registered on April 15, 2009, 19 Posts, 199 Comments

Comment posted by Hank Pennington on January 29, 2011 at 1:02 AM

Sad to say, I think we're outnumbered by folks like this. I can always tell which brand of beer is on sale at the moment by watching the roadsides.

As for "abstract?" The pattern of faint reds on the water extending upward through the frame really hold your comp together for my eye. Yeah, it's trash. But you've made it even more memorable with a great comp.

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

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on February 2, 2011 at 11:57 AM

Congratulations Bill on the WEP!!!

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 2, 2011 at 12:34 PM

Congrats on EP, Bill. Although the subjects are garbage, you did a great comp.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 2, 2011 at 3:02 PM

Nice EP!
Congrats!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on February 3, 2011 at 12:13 PM

Congrats on EP, Bill !

Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments

Comment posted by John Wiker on February 6, 2011 at 12:40 PM

Bill, I quit trying to figure these type of people along time ago. To them it's all about them, for this reason I keep distancing myself from society.

Registered on August 7, 2007, 24 Posts, 37 Comments