After the dismal summer weather of the past week or so - heavy rain and leaden skies - things have turned around over the bank holiday weekend and we have had some sunshine. Although it's not a case of too little, too late - it is always nice to have a bit of good light to work with - this weekend does in many ways mark the end of the summer holiday season in the UK.
Sunrise and sunset are now at more civilised times, so I don't have to be up in the middle of the night, or stay out too long, making more time for dinner (or breakfast). Having said that, the temperatures during the pre-dawn have an autumnal nip about them and there are already the signs of seasonal change. The horse chestnut tree leaves have been turning a rust colour for several weeks and the black-headed gulls are taking on their winter plumage (they loose the black head feathers).
Today's photograph was made shortly before the sun set over Poole Harbour, Dorset. Shooting directly into the light does cause exposure problems due to the brightness of the sun, so I add two neutral density graduated filters to the front of the lens to try and get the contrast under control. This runs the added risk of lens flare, so I wait until the sun's disc is partially obscured by a convenient cloud before shooting. Contrast is reduced and there is no flare.
Result!
24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/60 second at f/11. -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 200. 0.6 and 0.9 grey graduated filters.
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