Optimism

                                                                    "There is no light full of hope as the dawn" 

                                                                                           Spike Milligan - Adolph Hitler: My part in his downfall

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/80 second at f/8. Matrix metering. 0.9 Lee reverse grad. Monopod. ISO 100

Keep it sharp

This tubular structure on a local beach - actually a cover for an outflow into the sea - is almost as photographed as the pier a few hundred yards away to the left. I've seen photographers queuing up to take the same shot that usually involves long exposures to blur both water and cloud, but up until now I've not considered following suit.

But since there's nobody about, and the tide is high, I finally break my drought and take a number of images. However, I'm determined not to make mine look like everybody else's, and keep things sharp.

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/800 second at f/8. Matrix metering. 0.9 ND grad. ISO 100

© 2020 

Missed it

 

I had hoped to get a bit of atmospheric chaos today, but the best (worst?) part of Storm Bella came and went over night, leaving only blue skies and light winds by dawn. 

Even so, there was just enough energy left over by late afternoon to make it worthwhile going out with a camera.

12-24mm f/4 Nikkor. 1/60 second at f/10. Matrix metering. + 0.3 EV compensation. 0.9 Lee reverse grad. ISO 100

© 2020

You're welcome to it

The air temperature is 0º C as the Christmas Day swimmers charge into the winter seas out of shot to my left, presumably doing it for a bet. Rather them than me. There are several photographers on hand to record the tradition, so my attentions are focused elsewhere.

There's little cloud in the sky before the sun breaks the horizon, and I only manage a few frames in the direction of the pier before the lights are turned off and the reflections are gone.

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/60 second at f/8. Matrix metering. -0.67 EV compensation. Monopod. ISO 2000

© 2020

Too easy

A bit of winter sunshine in combination with a low tide, and it's difficult to take poor photographs. 

Unless, of course, you're not trying.
 

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/250 second at f/8. Matrix metering. 0.6 Lee ND filter. ISO 100

© 2020

Imagine

The thermometer reads 0ºC, and there is a severe frost on the ground when I leave the house in the murk of pre-dawn. The sky might be too clear for anything useable, but by the time I reach the beach there is just enough cloud to make things interesting as the sun rises.

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/80 second at f/8. Matrix metering. - 0.3 EV compensation. Lee 0.9 reverse grad. ISO 200

© 2020

With it

It makes a welcome change to be able to shoot with the light rather than against it on my local beach to get something interesting. The fact is, the sky behind me was just plain boring.

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/50 second at f/8. Matrix metering. + 0.33 EV compensation. Lee 0.9 reverse grad filter. ISO 100

© 2020

Calling it a day

                                                                A flat calm at low tide, and a windless evening.

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/40 second at f/8. Matrix metering. 0.6 Lee ND grad. Monopod. ISO 100

© 2020