Moorea from Tahiti, a photo from French Polynesia, Other

Photographer's Note

MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY I

At the outset, I have to admit, this is just a simple photo of an island at dusk, and it is at a place where poor photos are impossible to produce. I stood on a pier at the Manawa Hotel in Papeete, Tahiti, watching wistfully the sun beginning to set over Moorea, just 20 km (12 miles) to the northwest. Just the day before, we had been on Moorea, and could see Tahiti.

Disembarking from the Crystal Symphony in Papeete early in the morning on January 20, we boarded a shuttle bus to the Manawa Suite Resort on the northwestern corner of Tahiti, a gathering place for passengers scheduled to fly out 16 hours later, at midnight, for Los Angeles. Manawa Resorts was close to the airport and it offered a stunning view of Moorea at sunset.

We joined a 4-hour tour, “Tahiti Circle Island,” operated by the Marama Tours of Tahiti. The circumference of the island is 120 km (72 miles) or exactly twice that of Moorea, and the mountains, although not the jagged peaks of Moorea, rise twice as high, and the valleys in between are as fertile as any tropical paradise on earth. We drove in a minibus along the coastal highway encircling the island. The young driver, Thor, the son of a Tahitian mother and a German father, drove the counterclockwise course much as his father's compatriot the Formula-1 champion, Michael Schumacher, might have driven it — at full throttle. Happily, he made a number of pit stops at crucial sightseeing points. We saw a botanical garden abounding in tropical flora, waterfalls rising hundreds of feet, and the rugged northern coast where high waves offer surfers their daily adrenaline rush. A cliff with a blowhole created in the dynamiting of a cliff during the construction of the road during WWII, behaves like a super subwoofer. A thunderous boom punctuates each wave crashing onto the cliff, invoking visions of a dragon about to emerge from its subterranean lair.

This is precisely the view shown again and again in the 1984 Mel Gibson film, "Mutiny on the Bounty." The Society Islands include Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, certainly among the most beautiful sites on the planet. Geologically speaking, they are new, only about 2.5 million years old, formed as volcanic islands. The saga of Mutiny on the Bounty, refers to the 1790 episode of a young, impetuous naval officer, Fletcher Christian, leading a mutiny against the cruel master of the ship, Captain William Bligh. He and his fellow mutineers set the captain and 15 of his loyalists on a small boat. The mutineers first return to Tahiti, but are not welcomed by the natives. Some of the Islanders are allowed to accompany them as they set sail eastward. Thirteen hundred miles (2100 km) away they discover Pitcairn Island, a virtual spec in the vast Pacific, and there they settle. Their descendants after 224 years continue to inhabit the island. Meanwhile, Captain Bligh navigates his tiny boat all the way to East Timor, and saves the lives of the sailors who decided to stay with him.

I will post photos of Pitcairn Island, and of some of the residents coming out in a longboat to greet the Symphony. Please, note the comments below by Chris Jules and Stephen Nunney.

ChrisJ, papagolf21, jhm, holmertz, saxo042, No_One, Gigidusud, RhodieIke, mirosu, Romano46, cagla, macjake, Mics, danos, COSTANTINO, Schnappilic, kato ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

ChrisJ (171888) 2014-02-14 17:58

Merhaba Bulent Bey

Anna Bligh, the Premier of Queensland from 2007 to 2012 is a direct descendant of the notorious William Bligh, who was governor of New South Wales based in Sydney.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bligh

A simple composition with muted sunset colours and a wistful mood. Thanks for explaining about the shuttle boats from the big ocean liner. When I think about it the coral reefs around these islands would make docking impossible. Tfs!

papagolf21 (152607) 2014-02-15 0:10

Bonjour, cher Bulent,
Une très belle présentation photographique qui fait rêver.
Les montagnes qui se découpent sur ce ciel griffé ici et là de nuages gonflés d'importance sont joliment mises en valeur.
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

carlo62 (81265) 2014-02-15 0:17

Ciao Bulent
una foto molto delicata, sia per i colori, sia per la dolcezza del momento.
Deve essere u a bella sensazione starsene lì a osservare questo spettacolo della natura.
Bella condivisione.
Buon we
Carlo

jhm (211736) 2014-02-15 0:43

Dear Bulent,

I am again a little bit on vacation through your picture, on these way learn I a lot places in the world know.
Notwithstanding a very difficult picture for take through it less light.
But the form of the mountains in background care for a nice contrast.
The sea is always a very well subject with the rocks as contrast.
Of course a wonderful nature picture
Excellent presentation, nice captured.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

snunney (130967) 2014-02-15 1:51

Hello Bulent,
A very atmospheric image from this tropical isle. I have not seen the film with Mel Gibson, though I have watched the two starring Charles Laughton and Trevor Howard, both playing Bligh. None have them did much for the reputation of Captain Bligh, a much maligned man in my opinion. There is really no evidence to show he was any more cruel than any other Royal Naval officer at the time and who had a job to do, he was certainly a brave and intrepid one as later events demonstrated.

Kamilutka (8107) 2014-02-15 3:03

Hello Bulent,
simple and effective composition. The land on the horizon has interesting shape which is very clear on the clouded sky. The colors go together very well and create very special serene mood which is strenghten by delicate light.
Well done and thanks for sharing
Kamila

holmertz (102800) 2014-02-15 4:56

Hello Bülent,
Superb colors and an exciting silhouette of the island very well captured in a perfectly exposed photo.
Kind regards,
Gert

Nicou (193806) 2014-02-15 6:46

Hello

quel beau ciel sueprbe quelle forme a sueprbe et les reflet sur le plan d'eau ces magique sueprbe panorama.
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

saxo042 (38078) 2014-02-15 7:50

Hi Bulent,
A very beautiful picture together with a very interesting note. Soft and subdued colours, a marvellous capture.
Kind regards
Gunnar

No_One (4) 2014-02-15 9:38

Hi Bulent,
A beautiful scene, the soft gentle colors look wonderful in this, and the outline of the island reminds me of a time long ago, perhaps a time of dinosaurs! OF course, the buoys are testament to the fact there are no T-Rex's here :)
Interesting note too, I learned a lot from that. one of Captain Blighs ancestors actually lives in my home town, he was once the owner of a local bar which is called the Bounty bar! One of the most popular in the town.
Have a great Sunday
Noel

Gigidusud (21679) 2014-02-15 12:23

Hello dear Bulent,
Beautiful place with splendid pastel colors and great reflections. I like the calm atmosphere and the cloudy sky, a real painting. An interesting note too!
Have a nice Week-end.
Gigi

RhodieIke (11752) 2014-02-15 14:44

Hi Bulent,

What a super calm scene you have captured,yet tranquilising, a calm scene to view while meditating at a yoga session.
Love it,

Regards,
Iain.

Alco (7559) 2014-02-15 20:11

Hello Bulent,
Beautiful panoramic shot of these mountains. I like the different grey tones of your picture. Very nice scattered clouds.Interesting note.Very well done.
Have a nice day.
Alain

mirosu (16313) 2014-02-15 22:18

Hello Bulent,
Excellent exposing for the sky has nicely captured the colors of the sunset sky and made a good silhouette of the hills. The light reflections are beautiful, the sky with the dark clouds excellent.
Very well done.
Greetings,
Miro
p.s. Roman has not given up, but I think he is quite busy at the moment.

Romano46 (18472) 2014-02-16 5:48

Ciao Bulent
io, come immagino tanti altri avremmo voluto essere al tuo posto in questo paradiso terrestre, ma, per il momento, dobbiamno accontentarci delle tue fotografie.
Il luogo è splendido e famoso, la luce straordinaria e con grande oerizia hai saputo cogliere le sfumnature del cielo e dei suoi riflessi nel mare.
Ottima nitidezza e colori delicati contraddistinguono questo scatto davanti al quale non si può che restare in ammirazione.
Complimenti
Ciao e buona domenica
Romano

m (0) 2014-02-16 8:34

Hi Bulent,
a remarkable moody photo, I like the subdued light and colors and the dominating gray hues disguising the usual bright turquoise and green scenery. Appealing tranquil atmosphere, well captured.
Thanks and best wishes!

cagla (4342) 2014-02-16 15:06

Çok ilginç… Siz fotoğraf paylaşınca ne çok şey öğreniyoruz.. Bu filmleri hiç izlemedim, ya benim dikkatimden kaçmış olsalar gerek, ya da Türkiye'de çok yankılanmadı. Ben de size bir mail atsam torununuz için hazırladığınız kitabın bir linkini alabilme şansım olur mu acaba? Bu harika paylaşım için teşekkürler Bülent Bey.

macjake (98456) 2014-02-16 22:50

Hi Bulent
well, i have to be honest - while at the possibility of sounding ignorant, I have not seen the movie you're referring too, nor do i know about the men you're referring too. Perhaps i should look them up :)

your photo has alot of grey tones in it, but that still doesn't take away from the beauty of the landscape/nature. its just that time of day, not too bright, yet not dark either.

peaceful and calming atmosphere.
nice shot and story
cheers
craig

Mics (1020) 2014-02-17 0:40

Dear Prof. Bulent,

Thank you very much for sharing with us this very informative note. Indeed, there's a lot to learn from you. My attention is now totally driven away from your photo which you say is "just a simple photo of an island at dusk". I still find the photo very interesting and quite a moody shot...almost monochromatic in bluish gray but still have this inexplicable appeal.

Professor, I am interested to see the link to the book that you produced for your grandson Alexander (as you mentioned to Chris and Stephen). I honestly don’t know about the story of the Mutiny on the Bounty, but I would like to share your book with my children. They are aged 12 and 8, and I hope that they would find your book interesting.

Kind regards,
Michelle

danos (110407) 2014-02-17 2:27

Hi Bulent,
very nice the view as the presentation of this beautiful place with the shapes of the mountain range of the island on the backdrop to makes it unique.The dark silhouettes on the sea looks like guards that protect Pitcairn island.
Excellent the light and the colour management of the scene this dusk day.Well done.

Regards,Danos

emka (158204) 2014-02-18 10:11

Hello Buletn, So you were for the second time on this paradise on Earth. Marvelous view of Moorea. The colours are fabulous and the quiet atmosphere splendid. Must be great joy to be there and to make this round trip along the island.

Warm regrads MAlgo

nikkitta (17070) 2014-02-19 9:32

Hola dear Bulent

Good note and title to introduce this impresive capture ( From island to island also would be appropiated?)
Like the soft colors, blue in all layers, some soft reflections and the presence of black buoys to help with contrast
Well done, tfs
Maria
Read Chris note, a good one

COSTANTINO (116604) 2014-02-19 22:24

Hello dear friend
shot taken in a particular way showing the
beauty of the sea and the sky
sea and sky have almost the same color
I liked the figure of the island appeared
frpm the horizon and the clouds running
into the blue sky
romantic scnery dedicated to romantic
people
regards
have a nice evening
Costantino

Silvio1953 (221751) 2014-02-20 10:02

Ciao Bulent, fascinating seascape, magic atmosphere, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

fabbs99 (17179) 2014-02-21 23:19

Hello Bulent,

Excellent shot of the seaside.Nice colors and excellent sharpness.Very well done.TFS.

Cheers
Farhat

Schnappilic (9692) 2014-02-23 11:45

Hello Bulent,

Congratulations for with superb landscape with great frame, low light and soft colors.

Best regards,

Ovidiu

mcmtanyel (68647) 2014-02-23 13:59

Selamlar Bülent Bey,
A very tranquil sunset, tastefully presented with subdued colors and a lovely silhouette of the mountains of Moorea. This is what travel photography is all about: Sharing these special moments with others, at which you have excelled in this photo.
Regards,
MT
PS. I really don't know what that single circular piece on the bumper of the BMW is, I wonder if it is the covering for a tow hook.

delpeoples (60342) 2014-02-27 1:12

Dear Bulent

Ahhh you were very close to home as you sailed around here. And your photo and brilliant note conjures up exotic images of Fletcher Christian and Captain Bligh. A wonderful, tranquil and beautiful image. The pinkish silvery tones are pure magic. I know it's over the other side of the globe, but your photo has that same mood your images of Capri. A delight to behold, congratulations.

Warmest wishes
Lisa

PS: Thank you sincerely for your comments on the 50,000 points, I hadn't realised :)

kato (11630) 2014-03-04 23:09

Hello Bulent,

You're capturing well this poetic landscape by a good composition and excllent tone/clarity, so it's interesting and impressive to see the tasteful mountain range in Moorea and the calm sea dyed to setting sun slightly. Surely, this looks like one of final paradise which is remained on earth. The whole is harmonized well by a good arrangement and yasteful color combination. And, randam clouds floating in the sky draw out an additional good atmosphere in this image.

Kind regards,
mikio

claudeD (47754) 2014-03-19 7:50

Hello Bulent ,

wonderful picture to show this amazing atmosphere from Moorea.I like your composition and fine contrasts of the islands. I like the view very much.TFS.

WIth regards from Luxembourg

JC