The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

By David Mackay

29 May, 2026

Post Categories:

One Shot Story

Post Tags:

Rolleiflex utomat X f3.5
Leave a comment (24 Comments)

Share this post:

Above: Rolleiflex Automat X F3.5 Kentmere 400 @ 800 in HC-110 Solution B

If you ever find yourself wanting to listen to a song that is positively aquatic, look no further than the title. The Lonesome Boatman is a haunting tune that will threaten to sweep you into a romanticized past of your own creation.

The boatman or boatwoman (boat person?) in this photo is not from Ireland but Florida. I found them meandering lazily towards an old decommissioned bridge (now pier) upon which I stood in the tranquil pre-dawn light. The boat was fishy judging by how the gulls circled, swooped and squawked. Off the stern some dolphins stalked lazily. Wishing that I had brought a telephoto lens I quickly metered and took the shot.

This photo has since become one of my favorites and I am glad that I wasn’t able to get closer. It is also a great example of how split toning can be used to enhance a black and white image.

They weren’t a lonesome boat person, but since I failed to capture the gulls or dolphins we can imagine they were.

Share this post:

About The Author

By David Mackay
Just a guy that likes photos.
Read More Articles From David Mackay

Find more similar content on 35mmc

Use the tags below to search for more posts on related topics:

Rolleiflex utomat X f3.5

Donate to the upkeep, or contribute to 35mmc for an ad-free experience.

There are two ways to contribute to 35mmc and experience it without the adverts:

Paid Subscription – £3.99 per month and you’ll never see an advert again! (Free 3-day trial).

Subscribe here.

Content contributor – become a part of the world’s biggest film and alternative photography community blog. All our Contributors have an ad-free experience for life.

Sign up here.

Make a donation – If you would simply like to support Hamish Gill and 35mmc financially, you can also do so via ko-fi

Donate to 35mmc here.

Comments

brad s sprinkle on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

Hi David,

Beautiful image that evokes a sense of calm that is almost tangible. I love minamiist photography so this one really speaks to me.
Cheers!
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

Thank you Brad, I'm glad it resonated with you. I typically don't tend to lean into minimalism but this was one of those ones that catch you by surprise.

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John Squillace on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

Good Lord what a spectacular photo!
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

Thank you John

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Dave on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

A terrific photo! It definitely works better with the boat at a distance. One thing I don't understand is how there is one visible light on the boat, but two streams of light in the water. I can't see that anything (on the boat) is blocking the light stream.
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

furlongphoto replied:

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

The light is pointing down into the water, which is why the reflection is wider than the source. The reflection will be broken by the gentle movement of wavelets.

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

Thank you Dave. I was curious about this after you mentioned it and was about to hunt down the negative to take a closer look. Thankfully Furlongphoto seems to have gotten us the answer!

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Dave replied:

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

furlongphoto, Thanks for the explanation! I didn't even think about the wavelets!

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Walter Reumkens on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

Great photo! Pure minimalism!
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 29/05/2026

Thank you Walter

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ibraar Hussain on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 30/05/2026

Wonderful photograph
So much feel of loneliness...
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 30/05/2026

Thank you Ibraar

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

furlongphoto on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 30/05/2026

This is a beautiful photo. Proof that minimalism can evoke feeling and mood. Having lived on the water for 20 years, this is a familiar sight and speaks to me in volumes. It's the kind of image that stays with you. Love it.
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 30/05/2026

Thank you! I miss the Irish coast and so was pleasantly surprised that I was able to capture the mood I associate with back home.

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Erik Brammer on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 30/05/2026

Top photograph indeed!
I really admire that split toning look. Did you apply that eg in Capture One?
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 30/05/2026

Thank you Erik. I did the split toning in Lightroom. I will probably make the jump to Capture One some time soon as I am sick of subscriptions.

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Pauley on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 31/05/2026

A truly lovely photo, David. Bravo!
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 31/05/2026

Thank you David!

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Gary Smith on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 31/05/2026

I wonder if your lonely boatman wishes he had a pony?
Inspired shot David!
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 31/05/2026

Thank you Gary. Perhaps I'm a little dense this evening as I don't get the pony reference!

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Gary Smith replied:

Comment posted: 31/05/2026

There's a Lyle Lovett song called "If I had a Boat" - I'm not a fan but it's a great song. In the song he says: And if I had a boat I'd go out on the ocean And if I had a pony I'd ride him on my boat And we could all together Go out on the ocean I said me upon my pony on my boat Complete lyrics here: https://www.google.com/search?q=if+i+had+a+boat+lyrics&oq=if+I+had+a+boat&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCEAAYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYgATSAQg3NDYzajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

David Mackay replied:

Comment posted: 31/05/2026

Haha I had a listen. Thanks for sharing. A very ordinary sounding song with very unordinary lyrics.

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Charles Young on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 01/06/2026

Gimme a break!
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Art Meripol on The Lonesome Boatman – One Shot Story

Comment posted: 06/06/2026

I too wondered about the double reflection of the light (s?). I thought maybe there was two lights on the boat but one blocked by part of the boat but still reflected in the water. And I bet the fisherman was not lonely but appreciating the solitude of having all that calm water for their own.
Nice !
Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

6 June, 2026

Slowing down – One Shot Story

By Walter Reumkens

First of all, I’d like to mention that Nic inspired me to write this post with his ‘One Shot’ photo from 15th May 2026. I think it’s the same model of car, except mine is in col...
Read More

1 June, 2026

Going Wide – A One Shot Story

By David Pauley

This photo is from my first roll with a new camera, a 1985 Hasselblad SWC/M that just arrived here last week. Given my love for my Rolleiflex, I have long been curious about how...
Read More