Seasonal work...

With the daylight hours diminishing rapidly, and with more dim and dismal days than bright ones, weather wise, I am returning to some images shot over a year ago to give them the monochrome treatment. Hey, after all, image making is image making in my book, and if I can't be out with a camera then this is the next best thing.

At one time, darkroom work was considered a seasonal activity by many amateur shooters. It was looked upon as the norm to spend the summer months taking the shots and the winter ones being locked away with foul-smelling chemicals; hunched over an enlarger making contact prints, and making enlargements in the dim red glow of the safe light. Of course it is far easier to keep up with it all these days, but what better way to spend an afternoon creating at least something if I insist on staying indoors.

Top: Christurch priory, Dorset

Below: Autumn Gold

© 2013

Lightroom and mono conversions...

What I really like about modern photography -  and digital capture in particular - is the freedom of what I can do with the image once the shutter has been fired, and the ease of how I can achieve it. One thing that stands out is the ability to dodge and burn-in in colour (try doing that with wet prints); the ability to increase / decrease contrast or saturation locally within the image, or a whole host of treatments that can be applied to a digital file.

Of course, [ideally] all this has to be done so that the viewer is not consciously aware of any manipulation, but the real freedom comes with black and white photography, where the subject really is open to the interpretation of the photographer. Rather than an old fashioned approach, monochrome is more popular than ever, and I am having a great deal of fun watching online tutorials; learning new tricks and techniques, and rummaging through the archives for suitable images.

The photo of Boscombe pier was made yesterday afternoon, shortly before sunset.





24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/200 second at f/11. ISO 400. Monopod. Converted in Adobe Lightroom.



© 2013

Shooting instinctively...

It is a clear, crisp day bordering on winter, yet because of the sun reflecting off the sea it is still relatively mild; warm, even. I'm wandering the seafront, shooting seascape images exclusively, until I come across this scene. Instinctively raising the camera to my eye I fire off a single frame - the only one that is different from all the rest - and knew as I pressed the shutter button it would make a good black and white image.

What intrigued me, having opened the photograph on my computer for post processing, is the way the man's shadow seems to have a ghost-like quality about it; completely detached from its creator. To me, it makes the shot, and the original colour version does not have the same effect.


24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/4000 second at f/5.6. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 320



© 2013

Low tide; low sun...

An early start was considered for today since the sky was going to clear during the night, and I thought some dawn shots on the beach might be a good idea. However, it was something of a half-hearted attempt, in part because I was up late the night before watching TV, and partly because the temperatures were forecast to plummet as a result. In the event didn't happen, nor was it as cold as I expected.

It did stay bright all day though, and timing my visit with low tide, I once again go to the beach in the hope of something good. It really does depend on how far the tide drops as to what I get in the way of tide pools, and although it is not the lowest tide of the month I do find suitable reflections and textures to use in compositions.

There is something about winter sunsets that I like. Possibly because where I am it happens over the sea, but more likely that it happens so much earlier in the day, with the full evening yet to come. It's always such a rush in the summer months to get everything uploaded and edited if I stay out shooting late; recharging batteries when necessary; preparing for the next day - especially if I have an early session planned - as well as getting watered and fed. It may be colder, but this time of year is far more relaxed.


12-24mm f/4G AF-S Nikkor. 1/400 second at f/11. ISO 400



© 2013

One dog a-leaping...

It's a dull sort of day, weather-wise; no wind and very mild for the time of year, but there is a low tide and the sheen on the newly exposed sand attracts my attention, as ever. The only problem is that there is nothing else of interest to make a photograph, so I stand motionless for around 15 minutes near the water's edge in the hope that the sky will do something spectacular. It doesn't; it's not that sort of sky.

I am about to give up when a man exercising his dog comes along, hitting a tennis ball along the beach for it to chase, and I see my chance. I make two short bursts with the camera - the only opportunity I get - and hope for the best.



24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/2500 second at f/4. ISO 500



© 2013

Autumn skies...

First of all I would like to thank Nic, Spanner and Dave for their supportive comments on the previous post, and my photography in general. It is all too easy to get yourself in a rut, and this can often come about with the expectation to shoot something specific, yet not have that subject available.

I have, during the past few weeks, set my mind on  skies and seascapes as a subject, and although this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere is right up my alley, photographically speaking, it just wasn't happening on the Dorset coast.

Until today, that is. I leave it until late afternoon before I leave the house, and the constantly changing light looked promising so I visited the beach in hope. The reality was that all I had to do was wait and let nature perform, firing the shutter when inspired to do so.

I shall say no more.


27-70mm f/2.8G AF-S and 12-24mm f/4G AF-S Nikkor lenses.



© 2013

Boring...

There is no doubt about it: I'm bored with photography. Stuck in a rut and bored with it all.


















Some lens or other (a wide angle).



© 2013