Whakatane Whitebaiter, a photo from Bay of Plenty, North Island

Photographer's Note

Hi all. This is a shot taken at the Whakatane River mouth and shows a White baiter checking his net after a scoop for the delicacies.
Whitebait are a tiny transparent fish that migrate up most New Zealand rivers to spawn. They come up the rivers in their thousand and are fished for with nets like the scoop net shown. On their way up the rivers they not only have to avoid these nets but larger fish and birds prey on them also.

In the BG the famous “Lady on the rock” statue can be seen.
The legend behind the statue is as follows;
This story springs from the 12th Century Great Migration. The women of the Mataatua Waka, left to themselves when the men went ashore for the first time, found a waka (canoe) drifting out to sea again.
The paddles were tapu to women, but a high-spirited teenager, Wairaka, who was the daughter of Chief Toroa, boldly seized one of the paddles and paddled the waka back to shore. As she did this, she shouted, "Kia Whakatane au i ahau", and her actions saved the women but also coined the name of the town.
A bronze statue of Wairaka stands on a rock at the Whakatane Heads to commemorate this act.

WS1 shows the “Lady on the rock” in better light.
WS2 shows more white baiters.

Enjoy, Paul.

ciakgiak, John_F_Kennedy, vasilpro, Budapestman, belido, pablominto, chpp, alvaraalto, plimrn, alainh, subhendu_bagchi, papagolf21, lucasgalodoido, feather, josepmarin, danos, jafadabret, Charo, xuaxo, Kielia, JCG, Cricri, ChrisJ, Angshu, skippy007, Didi, MLINES, Silversnow has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2009-09-24 22:50

Hello Paul,

Cool photo, the Lady on the rock gives a bit of quirkyness to the scene. NZ is one of those places where you wouldn't be surprised to see mysterious things, or creatures. It is after all, Middle Earth. I like how the depth of this image is created by the layering of the rocks to the distant peak. The whitebait fisher shows us a cultural practice which is unique to the country. The lighting is reasonably uniform, but the moment is great. I will try for a WS in black and white.

Matt

[workshop] [compare] +

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2009-09-24 23:17

Here, the air seams very clean in contrast to what we got a couple days ago. And apparently there is another storm on the way, arriving here by tomorrow evening. Did you get some of the dust in NZ?
Anyway, your shot is excellent in POV and colours. The WS’s are nice too, in particular WS1 where the statue is beautifully presented. Well done.
Antonio

Graal (103040) 2009-09-24 23:48

Hi Paul,
an interesing view, good vertical composition. Unusual statue on the rock. Good POV You had also. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

ciakgiak (30) 2009-09-25 0:30

Hello Paul,
congratulation for this vertical image with the rocks going until the BG. I like a lot the way in which you composed the scene and the statue on the rock.
Thanks for the WS.
Best regards
Giorgio

mikolaj_kawa (0) 2009-09-25 0:43

Hello Paul! Very nice place, interesting seascape and rocks, wonderful sculpture, very fine fisherman. Good frame. Well done!

rodgerg (55767) 2009-09-25 0:55

Hello Paul,

A superb composition with a great prospect and a good ballance in three plans well delimited. Very plesant element of life too. The attitudes of the two peoples are very well colected.
Best regards,
Roger

mauro61 (53429) 2009-09-25 1:02

ciao Paul,
bella immagine cn i tre elementi su piani diversi.
Immagine della statua e pescatore sotto che ben riempie l'inquadratura.
Interessante gestione della luce.
saluti
maurizio

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2009-09-25 1:41

Hello Paul,
Very interesting picture and subject. Good management of the difficult light.
Best wishes,
Achim

vasilpro (41801) 2009-09-25 2:17

Hello Paul,
A very nice and interesting composition with this lady on the rocks and the useful story about her.
Have a nice day, Vasilis.

sevy (58) 2009-09-25 2:26

Hello Paul,

Nice composition with the opposition through the diagonal of the fisherman and the artwork, lonely on its rock. It works well as the main points are easily readable in the frame.

Yves.

Nicou (193806) 2009-09-25 2:33

Hello,

superbe image, un pêcheur avec un sièrne sur le orcher, et l'autre montagen-colline qui s'enchaine, superbe image.

Bravo et maitié

Nicou

Budapestman (82620) 2009-09-25 3:33

Hi Paul,
great shot of this picturesque place with beautiful vertical composition and details. The environment is romantic, the POV is splendid. A very beautiful photo. Have a nice day!
George

Urs (14082) 2009-09-25 4:01

Dear Paul

A fine shot of a river and an island. It looks great in particular due to the fisherman in the FG. He adds life to the picture. What kind of fish can he catch? The sharpness is adequate despite the not so good weather. Due to the three "rocks", the small one in the FG, then the one with the Lady on the rock and finally the forested hill in the BG, you have achieved an excellent DOF. Well done

Best regards
Urs

belido (19934) 2009-09-25 4:25

Hi Paul,

you take sometime for posting but when you do I can expect such a good thing :) I really like the play with the layers in this one. Very good composition!
Regards,
Carlos

giorgimer (35017) 2009-09-25 4:41

Hi Paul,

nice image, good moment capture and composition, I like the silhouette on the rock in the BG

Very well done!

G

lightsensor (757) 2009-09-25 5:01

hi, Paul,
interesting moment here! i think its a contrast between the "lady on the rock" and this fishman. i can even feel the weather is not warm at all, maybe i get teh feeling from the overcast sky. what a moment!

J-P,

pablominto (53746) 2009-09-25 5:11

Hello Paul,

The two resembling shapes of the cliffs are catching my eye, one large and one small!
Pleasant story about The Lady on The Rock, her statue combines nicely with the attentive pose of the guy with the net...
Well framed, good details!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Giorgio (11279) 2009-09-25 5:35

- Beautiful place Paul with this curious statue, superb the postition of the gracious woman and funny the fisher in foreground, well done!
Have a nice weekend.
giorgio

chpp (4283) 2009-09-25 10:41

hi Paul
i like the composition in this shot, it has many alements that are appealing to me, the "stepping stones" from FG to BG, the statue that looks like is going to jump inside the fishers net. Very nice POV. to me it looks a little overexpose though, in particular the BG so I did a little WS I hope you like
TFS
C

[workshop] [compare]

alvaraalto (42804) 2009-09-25 11:51

Hi Paul,

One picture with two stories. Both are interesting and the picture inspiring and humourous. New Zealand is fascinating and you are a great advocate.

Groet Rob

plimrn (21344) 2009-09-25 12:04

Hi Paul,
Interesting dynamic tension between the two figures and the repetition of the rock shapes. I especially like the WS of the maiden taken in better light.
What does, "Kia Whakatane au i ahau," mean?
HLJ, Pat

jurek1951 (42198) 2009-09-25 21:14

Hi Paul,
What a wonderful fishing scene,
great lighting,colours details,
Georg

Docarmo (9767) 2009-09-25 21:17

Hi Paul,
Nice presentation of these three pictures, the principal is very artistic and with a remarkable DOF.
Thanks for sharing,
Docarmo

alainh (33209) 2009-09-25 21:31

hello Paul
nice moment captured ! the fisherman is is in his trip but the statue seems to be interessed bye the man. tender and pleasant composition.
a nice week-end Paul
friendly
alain

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2009-09-26 1:55

Namaste Paul,
nicely captured shot with the fisherman in foreground and the 'lady on the rock' in frame. Great colours and depth. The faded hill in background completes your compo nicely. Tfs.
Have a nice weekend.
Subhendu

ChrisJ (171822) 2009-09-26 2:01

Hello Paul

I like the graphism of the silhouetted “Lady on the rock” statue in the bg. Good sharpness & the fg whitebaiter fisherman, provides a nice counterbalancing focal point. Tfs!

papagolf21 (152607) 2009-09-26 2:08

Bonjour, cher Paul,
Félicitations pour cette excellente photographie ! Le pêcheur regardant son filet semble chercher une sirène semblable à celle que l'on voit sur le rocher !
La composition est très réussie.
Amitiés.
Philippe

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2009-09-26 8:53

Hi Paul,
curious your composition here, and I´d like of the stature silhouette in the top of hill. Great job, my friend.
Regards,
Lucas

anokutan (15097) 2009-09-27 2:34

Hello Paul,
A superb composition with a great prospect.Good management of the difficult light.

feather (51130) 2009-09-27 2:55

What luck to find the fisherman there, as the balance between him and the statue makes the composition work very well. The light wasn't the best but the subject is very interesting. The close up of the statue in the WS is also good.
Kath
I'm trying to figure out our itinerary around Hawkes Bay and will get back to you soon.
K

jmdias (115128) 2009-09-27 3:25

paul

nice view, the elements are nicely framed inside the view. I liked the sense of opportunity, puting the fisher and the sculpture in the same shot. The light was weak, but this didn't spoil the compo

hugs

jorge

josepmarin (59385) 2009-09-27 11:14

Hi Paul,
The statue on the rock has a strong visual effect, though the protagonist of the scene is the fisherman in foreground.
I like how you have worked with the field depth at this image, and the result that you have obtained with it.
A beautiful composition.
Friendly regards,
Josep

danos (110407) 2009-09-28 0:48

Hi Paul,
nice the view of the Whakatane river mouth with the statue of the Lady on the rocks to completes the scene.I like the existence of the man that checking his white net and the calmness and the tranquillity of the scene.Well done.

Have a nice week,Danos

jafadabret (56501) 2009-09-28 6:21

Bonjour Paul.
La photo établit un lien entre le pêcheur et la statue. A cette distance la statue semble un être en chair et en os et la photo prend des dimensions poétiques.
Beau travail sur les textures !
Amicalement
Jacques

Charo (51290) 2009-09-28 7:30

Hello Paul,
A nice story to document this image
Excellent composition and very curious that massive fish net, here is prohibited to fish with nets in the rivers, fishing is allowed only with a cane.
Best regards,
Charo

xuaxo (6854) 2009-09-28 8:03

Hi Paul,
Great photo in three levels. The middle one, the “Lady on the rock” is really interesting.
The WS are very nice too.
Greetings,
Francisco

Kielia (24077) 2009-09-28 9:24

Hi Paul,
really an amazing– and very well composed - impression of this peculiar artwork and the fisherman. The moody colors are fascinating. The branches on the left side make the image very attractive. I also enjoyed reading your interesting note. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

JCG (35153) 2009-09-28 10:58

Hello Paul,

Finally it is necessary better to see this Lady in back-light with her slender body that of too near on your WS, the ravages of time and the bad weather damaged it a little bit !!! Interesting photograph with this fisherman in line of sight. Beautiful catch of sight with a judicious format of the image. Well done Paul.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

Waylim (25436) 2009-09-28 12:44

Hi Paul,
Beautiful shot with good composition, and a combination of nature shot, artwork and daily life scene. Good depth with the layers of different elements. Thanks for the WS photos to show us the close up details.
Way

anesugur (18789) 2009-09-28 13:26

Hello Paul,
Very good composition.
Beautiful point of view, light and colors.
Well done. Best regards. Uğur

danyy (0) 2009-09-28 23:48

Bonjour Paul,
il n'a pas l'air de faire des meilleurs au moment de la photo, une météo capricieuse et des lumières très difficiles. Une ambiance toutefois bien capturée et rendue.
De la profondeur.
My best regards.
Daniel.

AiresSantos (56155) 2009-09-29 8:21

Hi Paul
Despiste some lack of sharpness, this is a nice picture.
Nice to see the 'Lady on the rock' and the fisherman at work.
Well framed and done
Have a nice day
Aires

Cricri (176) 2009-09-29 8:39

Hi Paul
Grand et beau contraste ici, il semble que le pêcheur voudrais attraper la jolie sirène :-) dommage qu'elle soit en pierre, c'est une très belle image ainsi que la note
Friendship
cricri

darek1978 (13361) 2009-09-29 12:27

Hi Paul,
This is very interesting place- really spectacular view with splendid light and a suggestive atmosphere. Very pleasant and relaxing post. Well done!
Regards,
Darek

bosskokoss (2272) 2009-09-29 14:13

Hello Paul. Oryginal composition and ideal capture.
The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and detail. Regards Piotr.

Angshu (56760) 2009-10-06 20:43

Hello Paul
The composition is interesting with the white baiter and the statue balancing each other well. Thanks for the Ws of the “Lady on the rock” statue. Light was not the best here, and you probably used Shadow-Highlight to bring it out...some halo effects. A good informative note, which taught me something new, to accompany this well done picture!
Regards
Angshu

skippy007 (12510) 2009-10-08 0:00

Hello Paul, I remember always buying whitebait for fishing, maybe not the best but it was the cheapest, I also remember eating them fried, whole, loved them. I read your note several times, thinking I may have missed the translation of the phrase "Kia Whakatane au i ahau" but I can't see it. Nice series of shots, liked them all, Thanks, also thanks for the interesting note & this shot with double the interest.
Regards
Santo

Greg1949 (9011) 2009-10-08 4:43

Paul, nice capture. The low detailed sky I think could have been cropped out since it is the fisherman that is the prime subject but as it is it is still a superb post. Great stuff.

Greg

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2009-10-13 15:17

Hi Paul.

I like the different rocks....they create a lovely layered effect. Furthermore, that "woman" is a nice contrast with the fisherman.

Well done!

BeBeHooker (0) 2009-10-30 4:10

Hi Paul!
Wonderful landscape, amazing sea, excellent rocks, very fine sulpture on the rock, very fine fisherman. Good frame.
Cheers!

Didi (61589) 2009-11-02 3:42

Hi Paul
Interesting scene
Perhaps you desire a selective setting DOF to give more importance to the fisherman but it was possible also to enlarge the DOF for the background.
Best regards

bracasha75 (24591) 2009-12-06 22:48

Hello Paul
Beautiful view on this two people who each do his work and nice hill in BG
TFS
Cheers,Braca

MLINES (12516) 2010-01-07 21:23

Hi Paul, Its a long time since i had whitebait fritters so i like to see your photograph. Good action scene with the man looking to see if he has caught enough for a meal. Good POV and interesting notes. Good to see you have a lady staue on the rock, too far away for vandalism. Very good workshops too. TFS. Murray.

Silversnow (2319) 2010-02-04 9:33

Very inice composition, the statue in the background adds a lot to this ancestral scene. Thanks for sharing the legend with us!