Winter Swimmer

[Frankenstein]

I went for a very early morning roam around the Wollongong beaches yesterday. This bloke was the first of a bunch of nuts who plunged into the icy waters (and they were no spring chickens either) - I felt like a real wimp, all rugged up as I was watching them.

Frank

[stubbsy]

Frank

Impressive. The clouds make this IMHO. This image just wouldn't work as well without that inky coloured sky.

[waspo]

Great shot! Love the sky in the distance as well. But, I think I'm with you in watching and not joining in. I think you start to lose it when you get to a certain age.

[sheepie]

Great spot that one I got some good pics there a few months back, on a similar sort of day. You've been lucky to get great cloud structure there - I like the way you've captured it.
Were you up on the steps leading down to the pool? Did you try any from a lower angle at all?

[PiroStitch]

Frank, that's an excellent capture mate. The gloomy clouds and colours definitely create the atmosphere and the image.

[Catcha]

nice shot............agree with rest clouds colors really bring life to the picture

[sirhc55]

Great shot with the added interest of a nutter in the aqua

[Geoff]

Frank - this is a top shot mate and I think the black border really helps make it stand out. Well done and I'm with you, I would've been a whimp rugged up photographing the insane ones in the water

[yeocsa]

Hi,

Excellent Pic. The fence and the water divider make the picture looks so interesting. The rough sea is such a contrast against the "safety" within the protection of the fence and water divider. It makes me wonder if the swimmer would venture out into the sea.

regards,

Arthur

[BBJ]

Wonderfull pic shy is cool and yeh well captured, and yeh im not that game either. Well done Frank.
Cheers

[Frankenstein]

Great spot that one I got some good pics there a few months back, on a similar sort of day. You've been lucky to get great cloud structure there - I like the way you've captured it.
Were you up on the steps leading down to the pool? Did you try any from a lower angle at all?

The funny thing is, when I woke at 5am and looked at the overcast weather, I nearly went back to bed - I was hoping for some nice sunrise shots (as i've taken some beauties along this coast). Luckily I still went, and even though the weather wasn't sunny I still got some useful shots. This pic was taken at Austinmer pool, and I was standing on the pathway that splits the pool into two. I did take some from a lower angle, although not with the swimmers in shot.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Frank

[SoCal Steve]

One freakin' gorgeous shot! The only thing you could ask for would be a little more clarity on the swimmer. Still... stunning!

[fozzie]

Frank - that is one hell of a shot.

Is he one of the iceburgers who swims every morning of the year

I would rather stay in bed and keep warm

[gstark]

Foz,

Is he one of the iceburgers who swims every morning of the year

No, he's an out of work actor; i.e. a hamburger.

For those who might think Frank's a wimp for not going into the water and staying all rugged up on the winter morn, what does that make me, who'll be content to remain in bed for another hour beyond when Frank was up to ensure he could get that shot?

And for those who might be inclined to answer, it's a rhetorical queston!

[mic]

Great Image, just great.

Mic.

[Killakoala]

It's a beautiful photo of contrast. Very nicely done.

[the foto fanatic]

This is a terrific shot.
I also remember sheepie's pic from a little while ago, which was also excellent. His maybe showed a bit more of the pool.
The lonely swimmer in such bleak and obviously cold surroundings makes this shot memorable for me too.
Well done.

[flipfrog]

i think this is an awesome image too

the sky is amazing to look at...

[ozimax]

Great shot with the added interest of a nutter in the aqua

Chris' quote says it all!

Spectacular skies there, amazing shot in every respect, especially with the human polar bear doing laps. This photo could be in Nat Geographic.

Max

[chris1968]

fantastic shot, second the nat geographic comments - also reckon you could see it on office walls as one of those 'inspirational' images

[HappyFotographer]

Just to echo everyone elses comments, what a great image.

Cheers
Deb (who doesn't think you're a wimp for staying out, but a definite nutter for being up at 5am voluntarily! - which is why I will never get great captures like this)

[ElTippo]

I've always been a fan of dark and stormy skies over the ocean so it's no wonder I love this shot.

You should flog it off to the people who do those motivational posters....

Can you see this pic with 'Dedication' titled under it on the office wall.....referring to the 'nutter' in the water although you being up at 5am qualifies too in my book

Super shot, I'm most envious.