[matthew]

Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion;
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.

Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner


It's been a while since we've used a subject for an assignment, so for the next couple of weeks, let's look at Water.

Now, water is an easy subject to find, and there is no shortage of easy photographs to take. Remember, though, that we're not artless snapshooters. Take some time with this, consider what water means to you, and what aspect of its complex nature you'd like to feature in a photograph. There's enough material in this one subject to be a life-long project, so don't stop at just one image, either.

While I always welcome experimentation and sharing of our learning opportunities (="bad photos"), even they should have some thought put into them. Let's see your best new photographs for this assignment, and please include some personal notes on how and why you chose them.

[Russt]

should be a good assignment Matt..........where would be be without water pics..........

looking forward to this

[smarti77]

1. Water from a hose with sunset light in background...


2. Cliche water drop / macro ...


A water shot that has always been hard for me is the classic falling single water drop / splashing / bouncing into water. I would love to see some of yours and how you did it?
Shane

[Irma]

Everytime we go to the see I can't leave the beach without taking few pictures just to the sea... to the waves... I love the movement and I always want to capture that picture that makes you say wow!! lovely wave...
From the bunch I have, there is one I really like because it captures exactly what I wanted... the shiny sun over the sea and a splashing wave...



I also like a lot to take pictures of droplets in the morning... when they still have dew and it makes them shine...

[Toad]

This one could only have been done with a tripod, and with subjects who were very still - 1/8 second - my favorite shutter speed for moving water...

[smarti77]

Irma - I love the partial symmetry of your dewy droplets shot.

[Petographer]

All are awesome! I wouldn't want to comment on just one. Well done all.

[Pat]

We are surrounded by water, but you can't drink it! Port Stephens is 2-1/2 times the size of Sydney Harbour. This is the view from Shoal Bay to the entrance of the Port.



Water – life is not sustainable without it. Australia is in the grip of the longest drought in our history (well, since European settlement). The east coast of NSW has severe water restrictions, you cant water your lawn/garden or wash your car in some areas. The dam that supplies Sydney has only been filled to 30% of its capacity for some time, Adelaide in South Australia has had to cope with very poor water quality for some time because the Murray Darling from which it draws its supply is drying up. Brisbane has water rationing, not sure about Melbourne. The sustainability of the huge cotton plantations in southern Queensland which affects every farm further downstream (to Adelaide) is being questioned.

This has led to heated debates about the sustainability of farming in marginal rural areas and our Government subsidising them in drought years as they have for many years. Should we pay them to get out?

Its also changed the way in which we garden, we love our green lawns and gardens filled with roses and other non indigenous plants. We are now planting native trees and shrubs which survive on less water.

And last but not least its hurting at the supermarket, filling my shopping trolley at the supermarket costs me at least 30% more than it did last year and I dont expect to see too many peaches, cherries, apricots, plums etc at Christmas and farmers are selling their sheep just keeping their breeding stock. Lambs are being sold for 50c each at the stock sales

Matt - you did ask us to express our thoughts

[matthew]

Pat, thanks for including the essay. While I'm frequently impressed by the quality of photography in the assignments -- and this one is no exception -- it's a rare treat to come away better informed as well. Your thoughts remind me of the "The Life of Water" project created by the group PhotoSensitive, essentially giving photographers the same assignment as this one. I saw the exhibit over a year ago, and I still remember the recurring theme of how badly Canada treats its abundant water supply.

Canada's people and history cannot be examined without acknowledging the pivotal role water played in exploration, transportation, and development of the nation. The first nations of the land developed technology well suited to their particular environments.



These are Haida paddles resting on a dugout canoe. The Haida live on the west coast of British Columbia, and created massive canoes out of cedar.



On the other side of the country, the Mi'kmaq made canoes out of birch bark and light wooden frames.

Waterways and canoes were vital in the exploration of eastern and northern Canada, both in trade an exploration by the Hudson's Bay Company and even in recent times by the Geological Survey of Canada.



This is a recreation of a Hudson's Bay Company trading post circa 1876.

All photos were taken at the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario.

[matthew]

My experience of water is a distinctly urban one.



Water exists as rain and puddles, and too soon it will be snow and ice. It is a reason to stay indoors, even though it gives some of the best light for photography.



Many of the original rivers and creeks in Toronto are extinct. They have been filled in and built over, replaced by the sewer system. Garrison Creek is one such river; it is named for its position by Fort York, the original defense of the town of York from American attack. It's commemorated in several places by public art, and occasionally groups lead a walking tour to try to re-trace its original route.



And this is the Western Gap that separates the Toronto Inner Harbour from Lake Ontario. It is a narrow channel between the shore and the Toronto Islands, which are mostly comprised of public parks, but also houses a small airport. It is also the home to the Island Airport Ferry, which runs from one bank to the other. After considerable controversy, a plan to build a bridge between the airport and the city was scrapped, and instead a new ferry terminal was built and a new ferry bought. On its ceremonial first run, smoke from pyrotechnics had the captain lose control while docking. Thirty minutes of entertainment ensued while the ship was brought back under control, much to the delight of the press and VIP passengers. The old ferry is now back in service, and running a circle between the mainland and island to serve a new airline.

[matthew]

And, one more quick image, from the far side of the Western Gap.



This area is significant to me because I may end up living near here, so this is a great place to kayak and forms the gateway between the sheltered inner shore of the islands and the beaches in the western half of the city.

[jbman]

Taken during an outdoor music event. I saw the two girls chatting away and asked them if they minded me taking a photo. What I like about this photo is the naturalness. Both girls went along chatting away like I wasn't even there. Quality could be a little better, but its a scan of a print so best i could do with my home equipment.