This image was taken in August 2025 from a moving small village boat. Camera Fuji FinePix Real 3D W3. This image is the left image from the stereo pair. Handheld with ISO-100, shutter speed 1/420 sec, f/5.6, focal length 15mm. It was cloudy morning during the rainy season. Corrected the horizon and the following corrections were done in Topaz: dehaze, color, vibrance, denoice and motion blur.
Location: Malarikkal near Kottayam, Kerala, India. Malarikkal is hamlet having fishing, agriculture and tourism as the major activities. It is full of waterways, mangrove forests. The village comes alive between July and October with the blooming of Nymphaea stellata, commonly known as pink water lily, locally called "Aambal". The blooms are most vibrant in the early morning, from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM. As the day progresses, the petals close, making early morning the ideal time for a visit. (For further details please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malarikkal )
8 comments posted
Ger Walsh
Amazing landscape… a lot of detail in the image. I think it would be just as effective if it was cropped to focus on the bird in the foreground with a colourful background
Posted: 10/07/2025 11:09:42
Charles Shepherd
I agree with Ger, there is a lot to take in with this image and Ger's crop has (I think) helped. The long line of red in the distance (in the original shot) takes the focus away from the bird. Posted: 10/12/2025 20:19:21
Tom Buckard
(Groups 21 & 48 & 71)
Mohanan, I read this outstanding image different. I see the image as a whole and the bird is just a small part of it. I love all the colorful sharp waterlilys. Your crop with the sky being small since it lacks clouds is perfect. I would clone out the 3 small white objects at the pink line. Your editing is super! This is a very striking image. Posted: 10/13/2025 14:23:06
Dr V G Mohanan Nair
The three white spots are other visitors in boats. Posted: 10/21/2025 13:33:22
Svetlana Rogic
Mohanan, your photo beautifully captures the tranquil harmony of nature. The white bird serves as a graceful focal point amid the wide stretch of blooming pink water lilies while the receding horizon of flowers and palm trees draws the eye naturally through the frame. You've done an excellent job with the post-processing. Well done! Posted: 10/17/2025 15:12:37
Joan Funk
I see this as 2 outstanding images, first the one you have presented with a gorgeous scene of endless lilies, and second the one that Ger has cropped it into, with a beautiful white bird as a focal point. Each image stands on its own as a winner.
And Mohanan, congratulations on your double win in the 3DD Image of the Year competition.
Posted: 10/17/2025 22:50:50
Dr V G Mohanan Nair
Thank you Joan. Posted: 10/21/2025 13:28:50
Terry Campanella
This is a truly beautiful image. I think it is all about beautiful colors and lines that lead us from zig-zagging from the bottom to the top. My only suggestion would be to eliminate the lone pink flower at the bottom by cropping the image just above it. Posted: 10/20/2025 11:40:40
