UNUSUAL AUDIENCE, a photo from ジョージア, South

Photographer's Note

UNUSUAL AUDIENCE

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest in the world, with a total tank capacity of 227,000 cubic meters (8 million gallons) of water. Its rich collection of sea creatures include killer whales, barracudas, hammerhead sharks, as well as schools of the dreaded piranas from the Amazon� and in one tank, five white beluga whales. Happily, the experts know how to separate the species, keeping the prey and predators in separate tanks.

The photos I submit to Trekearth generally echo the diversity of my world. Although I have long been a professor of physics, during my career as an academic I致e given lectures on a wide variety of topics, and to small and large audiences. I致e spoken in the United States and abroad, and served as a special topics lecturer on cruises connecting the seas between the continents. Last month I gave a talk to a group of approximately 100 high school science teachers in an auditorium inside the Atlanta Aquarium. What made the experience different was the large plate glass window in the rear of the auditorium that offered a view of white beluga whales dancing in choreographed motion, in eerie silence � entertaining, awe inspiring, and a bit distracting. During an intermission in the talk, I grabbed my camera and shot a few images of the whales. The two creatures in the foreground, seemingly dancing to my lecture, measure 4-5 meters (12-16 feet) in length and weigh in excess of 1500 kg (3300 pounds) each. They comprised the most unusual audience I致e addressed in my career.

ribeiroantonio, ChrisJ, leonorkuhn, rlrad, JCG, Wandering_Dan, jwmunro, asajernigan, paololg, phwall, bakes888, ahmetgedikli, belido, jhm, Henryk_Bilor, Henryk_Bilor, BurhanettinMasa, alvaraalto, gunbud, rigoletto, yedirenk, ghilain, isabela_sor, judesta, meb, pablominto, rikko77, Emile, daddo, feather, Uhu, Cricri, avene, shevchenko, jafadabret, Didi, BWJ, parbo, lucasgalodoido, stelli, MLINES, paura, PaulVDV, photographer123, Angshu, emjleclercq, worldcitizen, didemay, ikeharel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2009-06-16 7:13

It must be a truly pleasant work, talking to people in front of such a background. I certainly would distracted and having problem following your dissertation. It is an excellent shot with wonderful colours and a feeling of an artistic ballet going on inside the tank. Well done.
Antonio

ChrisJ (171818) 2009-06-16 7:21

Merhaba Bulent

We have whales in Moreton Bay, off Brisbane Australia, which are closely related, but I've never seen one of these elusive creatures in the bay, so thanks for the marine aquarium shot of the beluga whales. Good color & sharpness. Well done!

leonorkuhn (16237) 2009-06-16 7:36

Hi Bulent,

You captured a beautiful ballet of whales. Nice effects of whales movements within the water. Excellent light and details.

Greetings
Leonor

rlrad (1845) 2009-06-16 8:02

Good morning Bulent!

What an interesting backdrop for your audience - I bet it was very distracting! Great way to get the shot, though.

I like the blue tones and the light you captured here. Very nicely done. The subject, of course, will always be interesting - you did those whales right by this relaxing and interesting photograph.

Regards,
Reed

sacavem (18620) 2009-06-16 8:56

Ol� Bulent,

Amazing scene.The composition of the photo is fantastic, the details are beautiful. Great atmosphere of this place. Tfs!
Filipe

To see my photo:Oceanarium in Lisbon *100th post*

JCG (35153) 2009-06-16 9:00

Bonsoir B�lent,

Much grace on this photograph and a beautiful photograph on this ballet of the world of silence. I like much the plays of lights and the good clearness of the image. I saw on television, a few days ago, the birth of a small white whale to the aquarium of Vancouver, which is rare in captivity. Pretty shared moment and thank you B�lent for the always interesting note.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2009-06-16 9:43

Merhaba, Bulent -

Nice to have an audience that keeps quiet, even if they are unable to sit still! Lovely use of light and shadow to create a chiaroscuro effect (though I keep feeling it's slightly off balance for a portrait!) and a very nice pairing of the main objects.

Best,
Dan

jwmunro (286) 2009-06-16 11:00

Good morning Bulent -

What a back drop for a lecture! I am sure they were a bit distracting to the audience, but still what a back drop. Excellent capture with the reflection off of the underside of the water and the dappled light on the whales. Well done!

Thank you for sharing

John

asajernigan (21427) 2009-06-16 13:34

Bulent,
This is a nice shot of these beluga whale. Your composition is nice using the rocks to frame the shot. The lighting and colors are great for an underwater shot. The reflection on the surface adds texture and diffusion for the shot. I have driven through Atlanta a few times in past couple of years but have never had time to stop at the Aquarium. I must try to stop the next time I pass through.
TFS,
Asa

Morac (27725) 2009-06-16 14:10

Hi Bulent,

It is a beautiful ballet of whales : the composition of the photo is fantastic.
Regards
Marc

paololg (31448) 2009-06-16 15:08

Ciao dear friend,
a beautiful homage to the nature but above all a fantastic homage to the blue one, my preferred color. I appreciate a lot the pleasant effect of light on the surface of the water. I am sure that if these two whites belugas understood the English language, they would be happy to listen to your lectures! :-)
Ciao, have a beautiful day!
Paolo

phwall (6787) 2009-06-16 16:28

Hello Bulent,
I'm thinking you must have spent a considerable amount of time looking over your shoulder with a backdrop like this. With respect, it must have been impossible to keep the audience concentrating their attention on your lecture, as they say, "a tough room".
Very good capture, the quality of the image is excellent in every way.
Regards
Peter

dvlazar (6662) 2009-06-16 17:31

Hi Bulent,
Nice clear and sharp photo of these big guys. Im glad you got the full body of the whale on the left - makes for a great subject.

Dave

bakes888 (18499) 2009-06-17 0:36

Hi Bulent. Great photo, the surreal lighting and 砥pside down� reflection make an eye catching scene. Excellent handling of light and good sharpness. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

aadilj (18102) 2009-06-17 6:05

Hi Bulent, this is beautiful and indeed a different POV. the hues and the lights goes well with your 'models'!

jemaflor (147046) 2009-06-17 11:21

Hi Bulent,
Very good timing with this shor, perfect sharpness and lovely blue atmosph鑽e, bravo !

stego (24132) 2009-06-17 16:14

Hello B�lent,
It must have been quite an experience giving a lecture in such a place, having those elegant (despite their fat bodies) animals essaying like a quiet choreography. You managed to capture all the graciousness of the animals choosing the right moment and making great use of the play of light and shade.
Regards, Jos�.

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2009-06-18 0:01

Her y�yle harika bir fotoğraf Hocam...
Ellerinize sağlık, selamlar, saygılar.
Ahmet

belido (19934) 2009-06-18 6:19

Hi Bulent,

lovely shot. Love those animals. I think you did a great job since it's a hard light condition. The photo an interesting visual impact even at the first sight. Great shot indeed!
Regards,
Carlos

zmey (7335) 2009-06-18 7:09

one can argue about the compositional balance being off a tad, but some mystical mood is definitely present in this shot. magnificent animals!

regards,
kristaps

amazon (12112) 2009-06-18 10:43

dun seyrettigim bir belgeselde yunus tedavi adi altinda bazi akvaryum ve havuzlarda yunus ve balinalara yapilan eziyeti seyrettim,hayvanciklar karsiliginda balik verilen bir takim hareketleri sartli refleks olarak yapiyorlar ve bir nevi evcillesme adina sinirli mahluklar haline getiriliyorlardi...yazik...bu sebeple bu fotograftaki balinalar bana o belgeseli hatirlattilar...
selam ve saygilar istanbul'dan,
iffet

jhm (211736) 2009-06-18 11:03

Hello Dear Bulent,

After three days without pc, I am back.
I think that I never saw a picture with the two creatures in the foreground, seemingly dancing to your lecture, I think that a lot student your gladly hear speaking, a professor at university with a lot experience.
Wonderful picture lovely photograph.
Very well done, TFS.

Warmest regards,
John.

mesutilgim (0) 2009-06-18 11:14

Selam sevgili B�lent,
Bu muhteşem kare g�mden ka輓ış !
Sadece fotoğraf olarak değil ama hikayesi ile de m�kemmel bir TE iş'i olmuş.
Tebrikler
Selam ve sevgiler
MESUT ILGIM

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2009-06-18 19:21

Hi Bulent
What an amazingbackground to your talk. Although for suer distracting a bit ;). Lovely creatures and good light :).
Regards

berek (50518) 2009-06-18 20:48

Merhaba B�lent bey,
Bende 軻kmiştim bu nadide balinaları. Hareketlerini izlerken sangi bir klasik m�zik konseri dinliyormuş gibiydi. 輟k g�zel netlik ve zamanlama.
D300 �n ışık pozlama problemi var gibi geldi bana.Bunun yanında birde Nikon renklerindeki abartıdan bir ka� yıldaolsa uzaklaşmak istedim. şimdili Canon dan memnunum. Selamlar.Kendinize iyi bakın.
Burak

scroller (3451) 2009-06-19 0:43

Hi Bulent,
Absolutely a great atmosphere and well handled light conditions!
Best Regards
/Stefan

BurhanettinMasa (641) 2009-06-19 9:44

Merhaba B�lent Bey,
Harika olmuş, benim her zaman d�şt�ğ�m camdan yansımayı sorununu siz kırmışsınız, 輟k g�zel, ellerinize sağlık ...

Burhan

alvaraalto (42804) 2009-06-19 13:00

Dag Bulent,

If this was the entourage of your talk I think you should have had a very appealing topic to kept the attention of your audience. But knowing the quality of your info I think you succeeded.
A fascinating picture with a wonderful play of light.

Groet Rob

gunbud (34066) 2009-06-19 18:53

Hi Bulent,
Excellent planning to wait for these giant mamels swimming in opposite directions.
Love the texture of the stunning reflection seen in their wake and their lovely sade of blue.
Regards, Tom

rigoletto (34279) 2009-06-20 3:44

hello dear professor!
marvellous subject with fantastic colors! the light and waves on the aqua subsurface are definite killers for sure.
TFS,
deniz

chpp (4283) 2009-06-20 6:02

Hi Bulent
excellent shot, nice management of light and good framing
TFS
C

yedirenk (11244) 2009-06-20 15:55

B�lent hocam merhaba,
sessizliği ve huzuru hisettiren bir g�nt� bu.ama onların akvaryum b�y�kte olsa,okyanuslarda olmalarını isterdim.�zerlerine vuran ışık ve ifadeleriyle 輟k etkileyici g�n�yorlar.bu el canlıları fotoğrafta bile gmek insanda pozitif elektrik yaratıyor.ellerinize sağlık hocam.selamlar,sevgiler

Cevdet

ghilain (1714) 2009-06-21 1:18

Hi Bulent,

Title attractive!

I am a high school science teacher and I would have liked to be in the audience!!
Good light in your shot of beluga!

Have a nice day

brigitte

meltemi (0) 2009-06-21 11:59

Hello dear Bulent,
someone said that when we witness a beluga playfully swimming, we are party to a sacred dance and from your photo I feel these feelings of intense energy, love, oneness, and a connection with nature (although in an aquarium).

The experience of listening to your lecture with such a background must have been simply amazing. Your picture is wonderful. I enjoyed very much reading your note.

With admiration.

Stella

isabela_sor (47748) 2009-06-21 12:05 [Comment]

Show Comment

Fis2 (170669) 2009-06-21 12:27

Witaj Bulent!
A very interesting photo.
Super light and colors.
Good work.
Warm regards
Krzysztof
P.S.
I thank for wishes on TE meeting.

judesta (1006) 2009-06-22 1:38

Hi Bulent
This is a wonderful photo of these awesome creatures. The shades of blues are fantastic and the reflection on the under surface of the water is beautiful.
Cheers
Jude

meb (766) 2009-06-22 8:08

Hi Bulent,
did they ask any questions?
Seriously, as you say their blue dancing silhouettes grab our attention.
An aquarium is a difficult place to shot, you really have to master your camera.
Best regards
Marica

Glint (6171) 2009-06-22 12:44

Merhaba Bulent,
This study of fabulous light and movement has me longing to plunge into its inky, turqoiusey wonderland.
regards,
Bev

lousat (139198) 2009-06-22 16:42

!! wAAW!! What a impressive pic! You work very very well for the best result as possible,the idea is fantastic..and what a top quality sharpness and colors.You be sure thay i like it!My best compliments,have a nice day,Luciano

pablominto (53746) 2009-06-22 23:14

Hello Bulent,

This is a very nice, borderline abstract presentation!
Not often we see water reflections from below the surface hehehe...
You make well use of present light in the capture of the lovely creatures!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Graal (103040) 2009-06-24 0:15

Hi Bulent,
good shot, an interesting reportage from aquarium. Well note. Solid work. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

delkoo (68) 2009-06-24 0:46

hi bulent,
The vertical composition you have built here meticulously is perfect. ballet en colors are simply superb.

well seen and well executed.

didier

zeynepe (0) 2009-06-24 3:39

Bulent Bey tekrar merhaba,
Cok hos simetrik hareketleri inanilmaz bir netlikle yakalamissiniz, cok sevimliler, 227.000 metrekupluk kapasite gercekten cok dikkat cekici.
Tebrikler,
Zeynep

rikko77 (10861) 2009-06-24 5:20

Hi Bulent
an original, unusual audience for sure and a striking pic. Just like you, I too like alot carrying my camera when going to work and sometimes I manage to take some nice pics, but the most I can photograph from my office window are just many people working like bees in a big "hive". Here, what I most like are the reflections in the upper part of the frame: something unusual, since we're used to see reflections in the lower part.
Interesting note, as usual, it's a good Job, Bulent.
I wish you a good day!
Rikk

hay_kes (31439) 2009-06-24 11:37

Merhaba Hocam,
Senkronizayonu m�kemmel yakalamışsınız.Bir yukarı, bir baş aşağı...Işık, netlik ve ters yansıma m�kemmel.Elinize sağlık.
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

Emile (20352) 2009-06-24 14:55

Hola Bulent.
Nice shot taken in the aquarium with very good light management, good colors and POV. Thank you for showing us the beluga wales, great shot.
TFS.
Best regards.

daddo (28748) 2009-06-24 23:57

Merhaba Bulent bey. Now, were your high school teachers mesmerized by the white aquatic dancers or by your presence? beats a slide show any time. Brilliant shot, even if it was taken between words. Beautiful, eerie light on these graceful yet ghostly figures. You have captured the mystery of creation poetically.Selamlar. Klaudio.

feather (51130) 2009-06-25 3:55

What an unusual experience Bulent. You have captured them very well and indeed they do appear to be dancing. Not easy to capture shots through glass and also I imagine it as quite dark. Well done
Kath

Uhu (8609) 2009-06-25 6:59

Oh this is unusual audience for the lecture indeed!
Very good photo, I bet you had a lot of photos to choose the one good - these animals are not that easy to make a photo of.
Very good work - as usual!

Cricri (176) 2009-06-25 8:48

Hi Bulent
Je vois la photo avec la jeune fille poster hier a (c� de la mienne) mais impossible de l'ouvrir!!!!
Une image bien r騏ssie de ces baleines pleine de grace que la lumi鑽e illumine sous le fond sombre, compliment
Good day for you
cricri

avene (12675) 2009-06-25 10:21

hello Bulent,
the light must've been tricky, but the result is great, I like a lot how the light sparkles in the water. perfect timing too to capture the playful belugas. I might have cropped a little from the bottom left, the illuminated rock is a little distractive. minor point though, I like the photo as it is :)

best,
Kristine

shevchenko (20560) 2009-06-26 2:07

Hi Bulent,
Interesting composition to show an aquarium completed with deep sea species, should be a good place to spend nice times and learning especially for children, fantastic color and lighting of an indoor photo, distinct photo, well done.
Ally

cobbydale (1958) 2009-06-27 16:36

Hello Bulent, usually when I visit these kind of places I am disappointed with the photos I get, but this one from you is excellent. The positioning of the whales and the lighting is superb. I also like the dark area at the bottom left as it makes me want to peer in to find more details and reminds me of the mystery of the deep dark sea.
cheers
Leon

jafadabret (56501) 2009-06-28 23:15

Bonjour Bulent.
C'est une tr鑚 belle photo. J'aime la gr稍e de ces b駘ugas dans cet aquarium g饌nt. Les couleurs sont celles du monde sous-marin.
Un vrai plaisir !
Amicalement
Jacques

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-06-29 5:51

Ola Bulent,
Que linda foto os detalhes dos animais marinhos est縊 lindos , tem uns tons de azul magnificos , gostei muito dos reflexos na agua , bom controle de luz, parab駭s!!
Um abra輟 Gon軋lo

Didi (61589) 2009-06-30 11:13

Salam my friend
I thougt in a first time that you were diving underwater.
Very good quality of lights management and I know that it's not so easy to take such pictures.
Best regards

BWJ (3094) 2009-07-01 6:39

Hello Bulent,
You managed this shot extremely well. These two beluga whales appear to be swimming in place for you to photograph them. The colors and lighting under difficult conditions are dramatic and effective. It is a stunning photo!

I have never done this kind of photography but you have inspired me to go to the nearest aquarium to try out the technique.
Kind regards,
Betty

Focales (22) 2009-07-02 23:26

Hello Bulent,
Magnifiquement shoot駸 et dans une tr鑚 belle lumi鑽e ces b駘ugas qui, petit � petit, disparaissent de la plan鑼e � cause de je ne sais plus quelle maladie. J'adore ces animaux et suis un farouche d馭enseur de la protection de la nature. J'aimerais tant que nos enfants et petits enfants puissent, comme nous, admirer leur beaut�.

marietom (34611) 2009-07-03 9:30

hello Bulent,

magnifique, cette danse ! Superbe atmosph鑽e, et tr鑚 beaux reflets.
Bonne soir馥
Marie

Silvio1953 (221493) 2009-07-04 22:33

Ciao Bulent, great view of splendid creatures, fantastic light, very well done, ciao Silvio

clio (27961) 2009-07-05 11:31

Bonjour Bulent,
The contrast between this deep blue and the extraordinary transparency of the turquoise colour is wonderful. You caught a very beautiful moment with these two opposite positions.
The movement of bodies is graceful. Too, us dive with enjoyment into this beautiful universe.
Best regards
Diane

tober (8797) 2009-07-06 2:33

İyi bir zamanlamayla 軻kilmiş 輟k estetik bir fotoğraf. Balinaların su y�zeyinde yarattığı mavi titreşimleri ellikle 輟k beğendim. Elinize sağlık, saygılar. Tolga

parbo (11092) 2009-07-07 13:22

Hello Mr. Atalay,

This must be great pleasurable moment of your session. Really just amazing. I liked their white bodies in darkness of the Atlanta Aquarium while creating fantastic contrast and reflections. Just spectacular one, congratulations.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2009-07-07 14:48

Hi Bulent,
really an interesting and beautiful shot here, and I like of the blue tones of capture too. Great job.
Regards,
Lucas

stelli (3009) 2009-07-08 2:15

Beautiful photo and quite a place to give a lecture, I envy you! :) Great light management in difficult light conditions!!! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

MLINES (12516) 2009-07-09 4:54

Hi Bulent, A fine photo taken in this huge aquarium and without a hint of reflection from the glass to distract our view. Ideal colours and clarity. An excelent composition with the two off-centre. TFS. Murray.

paura (25802) 2009-07-14 4:28

Bulent,
Your worked with a very secial lighting here. Very beautiful composition.

Regards

PAulo

PaulVDV (62846) 2009-07-15 14:58

Hello B�lent,
Great capture of these dancing white beluga whales. It looks like a wonderful ballet specially with the reflections at the surface and with the very dark blue water in which they're moving.
Best regards, Paul

Dyerco (10185) 2009-07-19 8:13

Hi Bulent
What a superb capture of these two magnificent creatures performing a slow dance. The clarity is wonderful.
Cheers
Phil

photographer123 (6248) 2009-07-20 10:32

hi..
what should I say about this shot..everybody already said this..its superb...best wishes...subir

ophelcia (0) 2009-07-20 13:03

Something totally exotic for me...I've never seen the dolphins, only sharks (in the aquarium), and the reflection included here is also amazing,
TFS,
Gosia

Angshu (56760) 2009-07-21 0:54

Hello Professor 'A'
Amazing capture to say the least! The effect of the light and the reflections at the top makes this quite beautiful! The glass doesn't show as well, which I presume was because it would be quite dark! Excellent & as always a fine note!
With Warm regards
Angshuman

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2009-07-28 13:27

Hi Bulent.

Hahahahaha, well done! The moment and the reflection of the dolphins are impressive!

My compliments!

salvator (19110) 2009-07-30 2:12

Hello Bulent Bey,
Simply wonderful. The colors, the sharpness look absolutely superb.
Best personal regards. Salvator.

emjleclercq (15778) 2009-07-30 13:30

The white color of your belugas makes for a beautifull picture in this all blue scenery. Altough I should have expected such picture to be taken in an aquarium, it isnot visible at all. A great shot.

Emmmanuel

kdialyna (3148) 2009-07-31 0:24

Ballet in blue!!
Like in a dream your photo my friend, transport you for a moment to an other world.
I think the perfect timing gave the expected result.
Kostas

Yar (793) 2009-08-17 12:09

hello
a nice moment and nice lights here.
thank you

worldcitizen (16048) 2009-09-08 17:26

Hello Bulent,
As many others have already noted, this is a great underwater shot, with excellent light management and clarity. Aquariums are always fascinating places, and I'm sure these whales were curious as to exactly what you were doing in their "home". Your photo has great balance, since the whales decided to pose opposite each other in such a graceful manner.

didemay (2945) 2009-09-23 12:59

Bulent Merhaba,
100 fen ogretmenine muhtesem ortamda seminer verirken, kamerani kapip bu ani sen goruntulemeye calisirken birisi de seni dahil ederek butunu fotograflamaliymis:)
Shakespeare'in sonnet'si icin kocaman tesekkurler sana. Sansli torun.
Sevgiler,
Didem

delpeoples (60342) 2009-11-30 1:54

Hi Bulent, this truly is a decisive moment and intelligence displayed at its most beautiful. Through the eerie blue tones I can almost hear the call of these whales as they dance together. Fantastic shot, a once in a lifetime opportunity! TFS and have a wonderful week, Lisa

Urs (14082) 2010-04-01 19:14

Good evening Bulent

Excellent capture of these whales in an aquarium, what must be very difficult as there is a thick glass. To realize the photograph you must have used a relatively high ISO, is that correct? An absolutely stunning shot, congrats, it really is very nice, I like it.

Thanks for your critique of my monsoon shot from Penang. There is rain, but not there were it would be needed e.g. seldom there were the paddy fields or the reservoirs are. That is the problem South East Asia is facing.

When I wake up I switch on the computer which is on line all the time because I work from home. I upload to Trekearth when possibly before 8 a.m. my time because I can only start working a 9 a.m. when everybody should be in the office.

best regards and happy Eastern to you and your family.
Urs

ikeharel (113273) 2015-06-08 22:00

Gunayden Bulent,
Most impressive sight of the Dolphines well through the glass in fine clarity and beauitiful blue/tourquoise color of light upon.
excellent resulted photojob. My cong.'s.
Ike