Sea Captain
This shot has a bit of a story behind it, I was with a group of fellow photographers on what we call a Ferry Hop expedition. Basically we spend the day or most of it, riding the Sydney Ferries to different destinations taking photos on board and where ever we disembark. On this particular outing a few of my fellow photographers and I decided to issue a challenge, walk up to perfect strangers and ask for to take their photo. This was only the second person I ask after the challenge was issued. This lovely gentleman had a great face, a lovely white and gray beard and looked just the part for a nautical theme. As it happens when I approached him, we were nearing a replica tall ship and the Darling Harbour light house (scene in the background). Well all the elements just fell into place, and I only took two shots but I knew I had bag a great image, I thanked the Sea Captain as I’ve now called him, showed him the image and let him travel the rest of the trip in peace. I’m considering entering this in the portrait section of the Real Photography compeition, while it may be a little unconventional, it’s one of my favourite portraits (and most the others my wife won’t let me post as they are pictures of her).
Sea Captain belongs to the following groups:
People and Portraiture Photography Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Lost Lost
Top shot, perfect treatment. Great comp and DOF.
Lucindawind
Fantastic shot Craig
ozczecho
Great shot Craig…sure luck played a part here with the bg, but u make your own luck…Plus the b&w conversion is 1st class, as is the light on the captains face…definitely enter this in the comp.
Deborah Fuller
I love it, is that his boat
Christina Martin
He’s wonderful Craig. Great shot!
Popular Mr
it is a nice portrait
Charles Dobbs ...
A great capture as it appears to tell you a story…
Lalit Bhusal
humm.. this pic does say some story.. nice work mite
Corrie Kuipers
nice atmospheric shot !
David Sundstrom
Well captured Craig,
Was that from this years AW ferry hop?
Jeff Burns
Wow this is stunning Craig. Great job. Love it It is perfect especially with the expression you caught on his face. He looks like a true fisherman. Is that the guy who does Gordons fishsticks? LOL just kidding
Craig Goldsmith
Last years Ferry hop, when it rained a lot and we went to Balmain
Mugsy
Great capture Craig….really like it
Chasity Edmonson
WOW!!
bodymechanic
great shot craig, i esp like the drama a brewin with those clouds,is he contemplating a storm?...
the pic leads us to many places.
Michael Douglass
Terrific Craig!
Paul Louis Vil...
The B&W is marvelous! Such a great face and the image is so well balanced! Great work Craig! :D
Keegan Wong
Wow excellent shot there, this is great! Well done Craig!
Louise Cooke
that gaze you’ve captured…that far, far away look..it just makes the image! Background and clouds just concrete it. Great work :)
Biswajit Pandey
Very nice portrait, beautiful lights in the background.
Cadence Gamache
This is amazing! I think you definitely have a good chance at winning that portrait competition! :D
Thomas Sielaff
Ah, the photo gods were smiling that day.
nancz
I say you better enter this!!!!!!!! I really love how you shot it and the processing is really good. The man has such an interesting face and with the background…............... perfect!!!! A favorite!!!!!!!!!
BLYTHART
A WONDERFUL portrait- a winner if ever I saw one – great background too – well done … well done!!!!
Brett Foster
Craig, you’ve captured mood, atmosphere, background, story line, theme and an interesting character all in the one shot. I wouldn’t say it’s an unconventional portrait, I’d say it’s what a portrait should be. Good luck in the comp!
Holly Werner
Very nice. Love it.
Catalin Soare
Very good work
Torfinn Johann...
Excellent portrait!
DarrellMoseley
The talent here is blowing me away, that has so much character to it. What a beautiful shot, I love the feel of the B&W. That sould be hung in a gallery, somewhere! I bet the old seacaption, loved that one. Thanks for sharing your talent! Darrell
DarrellMoseley
I slowed down to read your description, and just had to say consider nothing, enter that baby right in! That one is screaming! Glad to see you were there for that challange! It looks like everything had fallen, right into place! Darrell
Jenny Haskey
Wow fantastic – & yeah make sure you enter that comp then remember to let us all know when it wins!!!
Steven Agius
A very nice portrait it looks excellent in black and white it does work well.
Gary L. Suddath
Great shot,the background and B&W makes it even more awesome
pilomaya
absolutley wonderful composition here. i love it
thanks for shring your photgraphy here
robjbez
Excellent monochrome character study! The boats in the background help to complete the story.
ShayL
Hi Craig, I think you nailed it i your description “all the elements came together” Great portrait
Damian
Fantastic shot, love the lighting in the clouds above his head. Sounds like a cool trip you were on, and I liked the idea of the challenge you took up to get the shot. I wouldn’t probably do something like that unless pushed by a challenge hehe!
Marilyn Brown
Hi Craig, this photo is very eye catching, love the characterisation of the Captain with the marinescape in the background. You have really captured a story, well done! Timeless image, good choice to use B&W.
paul boast
yes entering this in the competition is a must,
well caught, super image, good luck with it.
lukaszek
Amazing piece of work. A must competition entry.
Nice story as well!
rebecca zachariah
Better enter now Craig. Closing soon I think. Really like the expression. It was such an opportune moment for this shot.
Cathleen Taraw...
Wow Craig, great nostalgic shot.
Kim Roper
A wonderful evocative portrait Craig, beautifully captured!
Lee Burgess
What a salty old seadog (as they call them in the navy!) he looks like!!!
You couldn’t ask for a more perfect backdrop, and his pose is just perfect!!!!
Nina1962
Excellent shot I really do like it, outstanding work tells the story very well Good luck in the comp
margo
TOPSHOT Craig. It’s a winner. Thanks for sharing both the image and the story.
WitheringMoon
This is a super shot!!! you have a great eye – well done Craig!
DigitalDelights
What a wonderful shot.. he really does like a Sea Captain.. your right when you said all the elements fell into place.. excellent piece of work.. the b&w is perfect for this pic…
Mel Brackstone
This is fabulous, Craig, what a great idea, and you’ve really gotten a winner here!
Lina
amazing.. you are really good I must say
Jim Sugrue
Craig – That’s awsome, I love the tall ship & lighthouse in the backround. Great work!
K.D. Hemi
Amazing mood in this image Craig!! Love it … the clouds look ominous
Chloe Flathers
wow such a powerful shot. Amazing. Love this.
Lisa Kenny
Really nice Craig. And I like the story behind it too, I’d never be brave enough to ask a stranger if I could take their photo. Good on you!
Adela Hriscu
Nice story, wonderful capture!
Christiaan
Craig, in my opinion it seems you had doubts about entering this shot for the competition, but this is definitely one of the better shots for me. Like you said, not only an interesting face and person, but also a great fitting background, good treatment, interesting sky, what more do you want in a portrait?! :)
Andy Buchowiecki
Great shot!
MissKristy
Loved reading your words..but what I absolutely adore about this is the portrait itself has such depth..you can practically feel the stories pouring out of the shot.
This is honestly one of my favorite shots. Love it!!
MissKristy
p.s definitely enter this in the comp I say!!
Loredana Crupi
Great depth, great story…lucky (?) capture. :-)
Nathan Jacobs
magic timing craig! it was ment to be!
Cathie Tranent
Absolutely stunning! You must enter this in the portrait comp … please…....
hugo
very nice portrait work here, craig!!
paul777
This is a smashing shot….....lovely expression and the background has got everything, lighthouse and sailing ship.
Deborah Parkin
a great portrait – love the almost halo effect above him from the clouds
freebornman
Brilliant!
lightsmith
the second i saw this I loved it.
Lance Leopold
A terrific subject,great PP work,love it!!
Sheila Smart
Wonderful image, Craig, amongst many!
Cheers
Sheila
petelangman
what a shot. i find myself trying to read his thoughts. i want to know more about his life… i’ve been sucked in i’m looking at the man not the photo. weel done you
Basia McAuley
Wow, this picture really is worth more than a thousand words! I love it!
Christopher E...
outstanding shot, excellent composition, great effect with this in blk n white, the perfect image of what most see for a sea captian
ABSTRACT
amazing picture, where is this place.
robertvr
Wow what a brilliant photo. I could look at this forever..
Heather King
this is EPIC
his expression, the contrast, the clouds….
stunning
Aubrey Bergman
Very cool shoot. Wish I had people to go and spend a day shooting and issuing challenges with.
Kerry McFarland
Wish we had something like that here, what a fun day! It’s a great shot. You did a good job of catching him in interest. The contrast and tones look great, too. All is a perfect fit!
Sabrina Swingle
I love this shot. And your right, he certainly fits the scenery quite well! Good job!
Graeme Pettit ...
Another gem – looks like an old salt…..
Helene Kippert
Beautiful portrait Craig – brilliant
maxxx
Awesome portrait!
Andrew Bosman
How did I miss this Craig!
Just awesome!
Jessica Tremp
what an amazing picture Craig, you must be so proud of this
Miss Misery
craig this is an amazing portrait, i love the fact that the good captain looks so weathered
rebecca zachariah
I am glad this is in the comp along with one other my favourite of your photos, the 2 beach chairs by the water. Just awesome.
gladders
Fabulous portrait, it works really well in B&W. The conversion is super!
Paul Louis Vil...
Keep coming back to this for another look! It’s really fantastic! :D
rodriguez
speaks of a time past
Joyce Dickens,...
What an excellent composition – the “Captain” certainly was in the right place at the right time; I think Black and White is the perfect medium for this particular image and I can only see great things coming of it! The lighting, focus, depth, fine detail of the Captain’s weathered features all ties it together – Very Nice! :-) JD
Nicole Goggins
What a fantastic shot! the black and white works a treat! this man kind of reminds me of my dad – although not as old, he does have a beard and a boat… beautiful shot – even my husband commented on this one…
Craig Goldsmith
Thanks everyone for the great feedback :) I appreciate you all taking the time to give me your comments and thoughts on this special shot.
Steven Sandner
Beautiful shot!
pintsize
Amazing photo Craig, would not have picked that it was taken in Sydney seems too oldworldy if that makes sense
Craig Goldsmith
Thanks Steven !
Pintsize I know exactly what you mean.
Ada Panich
I love this portrait a lot!
Hans Kawitzki
Superb image nicely framed against the background
PNFdeb
excellent image
Stefan Trenker
very nice portrait! i like the tones and DoF is great!
StacyLee
A Stunning image
Joan Smart
Wonderful!!!!!
Heather Rivet...
gorgeous
Frank Legault
Wonderful capture!!!
sian houle
I absolutely LOVE this image…love, love, love!!!!
Rhona
great composition, and like the use of a square crop too.
Deb Gillett
Really impressed with this- it would come up beautifully as a painting too- I’d make it all crusty and weathered.
Antoine Dagobert
A real winner Craig
bunnij
Awesome picture Craig! I thought I had commented on this some time ago, but I guess not. My friend DannyC and I were out taking photos the other day and this photo came up in conversation. It really is a stunning shot, love the composition, lighting, great theme.
hanARGH
love this.
well done.
Mark Ramstead
A seaworthy classic!
Kimuw
worth it.
Paul Quinn
I could say something in reference to Captain Pugwash but I’ll refrain..
Great shot Craig, I remember that day as a cold, wet but fun day for candids on the ferry.
Nice PP as well mate.
Jennifer Resemius
it’s great! It’s memorable.
Jennifer Lachney
It seems I don’t have to tell you what an amazing shot this is. The amount of comments you received is proof enough :).
LoreLeft27
this is cool i love the mood the clouds the ship i wished i had awesome
snurfdood
a characterful face and love the tall ship in the background – looks great in black and white too :o)
Fiona MacNab
fantastic image, one to aspire to
Tony Elieh
amazing job the choice of black and white add the right mood to this shot good work!!!
gemynd
wow this image has an almost mythic quality …wonderful feel
Byron Tik
classic
DawsonImages
Great portrait, really conveys a man of the sea
Marianne Vene...
You have some wonderful images, I do think this is my favorite.
Michael Kienhuis
Wow a long way to this point! My finger nearly fell off the mouse! Great image and so intense! M:>
alexkess
You can’t get more captain than this!
googa
Brillant shot mate well done !
BonitoPhotography
Great Image!
Bluetiger
This is a wonderful portrait and i love the big ship in the back ground!
John Douglas
lovely shot – nice tones and great expression
Catherine Crim...
perfect portrait. beautiful in b/w and the lighting is great
Andy73
Owww, loving this. Beautiful composition!
RachJayn
Great shot! Very nice in b&w
Adrian Jeffs
what an absolutely stunning portrait Craig….special
Reflections
This is a wonderful shot. I especially like the appearance of what could be a storm approaching. This photo really speaks to me. Great work!
Wickerman
The choice for B&W was inspired to bring out the tones and lines of his face and with the choice of backdrop – perfect.
Eyal Nahmias
My first thought was: “The old man and the sea” story. Love the dark tones and the overal low key setting. excellent portrait and the BG is tied perfectly with his character. excellent.
Dakolina
this photograph reminds me of Earnest Hemingway’s book the Old Man and the Sea. its almost the perfect book cover
Coralie Plozza
This is a beautiful shot..I love the moody clouds in the background and the b&w is perfect
BarryKing
Another great shot, and btw thanks for adding me too :)
Bear
LoveMy7Cs
If he didn’t look so much like my father-in-law .. I’d love it more!!
An excellent shot anyway.
Nick Johnson
Worth a competition for sure. One of the better portraits I have seen. Background interest is great with this image. Perfect.
Christophe Testi
Superb image. B&W works so well.
kfphotography
the textures on the captains face are just sepurb, great work!
kcranmer
It doesn’t get any better than this, very powerful image!
Heather Loster
great shot. reminds me of the story “the man and the sea”!
Trevor Armstrong
Great Shot, you have captured him prefect. I feel as though I know him (even if I don’t) well done.
Brian Puhl IPA
This man looks as salty as the sea!!! Quite well done!!! Amazing shot actually!
missalyshachri...
exquisite, really.
i adore your work!
Craig Goldsmith
Thank you guys, I appreciate your feedback!
RichardV
Great picture. That face looks like it could tell a thousand stories. Is that a square rigger in the background???
Bahoke
Fantastic portrait
andrewmay
rrrrrrrr me mates
Birgitta
Hey-I remember this! Saw it the other day but then I lost it. :
/) This is outSTANDING.Glad I caught up with you again. :
You should enter this into “your shot” online-National Geo.
Seriously…it’s just fantastic. At first I thought it was HDR.
A++++ !
Hazel
THis is one of the most fantastic photo jurno portraits I have seen
clau
Brillant shot …well done,Graig!!!
mlgkats
love the b&w , this is very stuuning
Colin Tobin
Such a strong portrait.
Great work!
docophoto
Great tones with those ominous clouds behind & excellent job to get a stranger to relax and play the part.
Kirsty Semple
Perfect compisition, i love how this has all the ingredients of the ship and lighthouse in the background.
Kirsty Semple
apologies for the bad typing, composition!
lanebrain phot...
Great shot and story, thanks for sharing that.
coffeetea
Thanks for listing me. you make great portraits! Captain…..my fancy and admiration. Beautiful!
Globalphotos
This is such a wonderful image !!
Herkissable
Fantastic portrait
nikki024
GREAT COMPOSITION! VERY DRAMATIC!
Jamaboop
I can well see how this is a favorite!!! This is a marvelous composition and it should be seen by many!! The background, even the sky are perfect for this photo!!!
sasha
Lots of character
Roddy Atkinson
This is fabulous portrait work Craig, you couldn’t have asked for a more perfect model. Composition and background are perfect and an interesting sky to boot. Great work!
LocoCow
A Cpt. full of silent thoughtful wisdom…. Great Capture….
Jonicool
Fantastic shot!
Madeline M Allen
Just A stunning portfolio Craig ! Outstanding work my friend!!
mieclarke
Very nice B/W portrait.
SHAZZ
Superb caputure. I love story that unfolds in the background behind the main subject. It marries it altogether very well. The tones, framing and focus accentuates the gentleman perfectly and draws you into the rest of the shot. Great work….congrats & well done.
Geoff Coleman...
This is just such a brilliant image Craig – yes he is perfect for it but it is the way you’ve composed him against the tall ship and lighthouse in the background, plus the use of b/w and the sky processing that really makes this such an exceptional image. Definitely competition material!
Ani Corless
my god man! amazing.
kevsphotos2008
perfect,this is a Fantastic shot,well done….....
ElitePhotoArt
Great shot, well done!
coffeebean
Absolutely a winner of a shot. The Sea Captain is perfect in every way. Congratulations.
Quigi
Fantastic…it’s just really good. Like the story with it too.
chilloutbuddy
Awesome mate, I found your portfolio through your post at OCAU, you have a very noce set!
Raul Brzic
Realy great work Craig.
derekmccrea
Awesome capture of my favorite subject.
Sincerely,
Derek McCrea
www.derekmccrea.50megs.com
US Artist by Profession…
Visual Artist by Choice
Cathy Middleton
Fantastic work. So wonderful to have a challenge and get such a good result from it. It’s certainly not easy approaching strangers for photos, let alone getting such a dramatic mood. Perfect timing and great composition.
Darren Henry
This really is great work! Amazing tones, and great comp.
Kiwikiwi
An amazing photo – as are the rest in your portfolio – awesome.
Jeremy Harrington
absolutely stunning shot Craig, very nice work
dinghysailor1
wonderful salty image! well done- great capture!
nikki75
all these comments probably say it all, but this photo is fabulous, the face is very interesting and eyes are kind. its really lovely.
Marion Cullen
Perfect in so many ways. I just love the square crop. One of the best portraits, and the most interesting I have seen here to date. A real winner.
David DeWitt
You have beautifully melded the very sharp image with the background. This shows so well in b&w. Well, well done!!!
Tom Gomez
Not hard to see why you are so enthusiastic about this shot Craig. It has so much going for it …
John Brotheridge
Great B&W capture Craig, esp’ the backdrop. Liked all your work, thanks for viewing mine.
Jean M. Laffitau
Excellent portrait shot!
Gaurav Dhup
What a shot!
ZuzanaD
so dramatic!
Talkingwatermelon
Love the glow behind him – gives the captain a hint of magic.
Claire McAdams
Awesome dramatic sky!
Mindy McGregor
Amazing photo! Really captivating!
AuntieJ
Arrrrr! He does look a bit salty. Works well in bw, I think the background boats, light house and buildings would be distracting in color. Good position in the frame; that left eye is right on the R3 intersection. This is a good one for teaching/learning.
Joseph Gunderson
you are a phenominal photographer
dallison
it’s just wonderful… sometimes the best pictures are just from an immediate impression.. you captured everything in this to tell the story…
Nikki Trexel
this is really incredible…lucky with that awesome background!!! excellent work all around! :)
Jason Connolly
Looks like captain birds eye LOL..Seriously though, great shot, love the shallow DOf and the great tones of the B&W, not to mention the interesting looking bloke you chose to shoot…
Kaylene B
Wonderful perspective.
Dreamcoat
Perfect. And as always great set in bnw.
Dreamcoat
Perfect. And as always great set in bnw.
Colin Cartwright
This old fella could belong to my latest series of Victorian coal sailing ships There’s even a saling collier in the background!
Superb shot, Craig.
BYRON
very cool capture.
may I suggest:
-darkening the edges just a bit, maybe
-adding some grain or other texture to make it look a bit old. Its just a bit too sharp and clean for my taste. I sort of think he should look more… weathered?
eaglewatcher
Incredible shot—fantastic composition
Rosina Lamberti
This is amazing!
murrstevens
I am in awe…beautiful
Leena Hedman
Fantastic portrait. His beard looks like it’s has permanent crust from salty water and his eyes are full of stories.
Steve Chapple
Photograph in colour and you’ll show their clothes, photograph in B&W and show their soul!!!
Craig Goldsmith replied
I’ve not heard that expression before, but I like it. Thanks for sharing.
Brian Carey
very nice portrait!
cammiecakes
This is wonderful!!
Christie-Anne ...
This photo is really great! Excellent! i love the texture and the effect of the background dark clouds!
Ann Rodriquez
A splendid story for a splendid image! Thanks for sharing the story; it makes it that much more meaningful of a photo! Truly awe-inspiring in black and white. I think I should try this challenge sometime. Wow, that would really stretch me! : )
Anni Morris
Great photo Craig…full of character :) ~ Anni
PatriciaLM
awesome!!!
Brandon Taylor
beautiful image a lot of feeling involed with the black and white nicely done
Jhug
Very cool image! Don’t ya love it when a plan comes together? :)
phillip wise
great shot !
Shane Walker
Well done on this, I would have taken his details and sent him a small pic as a kind gesture for helping you out, i reckon he would have loved it.
Craig Goldsmith replied
Shane – I wish I had the piece of mind to do that, but at the time it hadn’t occurred to me. I secretly hope that perhaps one day he, or someone he knows will see it and he’ll end up seeing it. It is a small world after all.
Shane Walker
Thats true, it would be great if he does see it.
Barbara Brown
Such a wonderful portrait! The composition is fantastic!
S-NOCTURNUS
Wonderful BW! Well done :)
Chintsala
Simply fantastic.
craigdickenson
I think this a an amazing image, a real natural looking shot. Your right he just fits the theme, and the cloud adds real mood…Really great.
Cheers Craig
timcorke
cracking!
melbourneguy75
Brilliant portrait :)
Sachin Naik
Nice look, nice catch, can feel the good atmosphere. Keep it up.
redtree
The detail is excellent.
makbet666 25 days ago
brilliant portrait…!!!