Transformation

There's no cloud in the sky whatsoever as I peer out of the window, trying to assess the conditions as the sky begins to lighten in the East, and to whether or not it's going to be worth the trip to the beach. The thermometer is reading -1ºC and there is a severe frost, but I decide that nothing ventured is nothing gained, and march out into the cold darkness.

The fact that there is no cloud at all also means that most seascape photographers won't bother with the location this morning... and I'm right. Apart from one hardy soul that decides to take a swim before the sun appears, I'm the only one there. 

The lack of interest in the sky means I'm scratching around for a composition, trying to find reflections in the sand as the waves ebb and flow, but nothing is working. But once the sun breaks the horizon I have shadows to use, and the scene is transformed.

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/250 second at f/8. Matrix metering. - 0.3 EV compensation. 0.9 Lee reverse grad. ISO 200

© 2021

Passing the time

It's Friday, and the weather satellite image looks very promising for a winter's afternoon walk along the seafront. 

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/200 second at f/8. Matrix metering. 0.6 Lee grey grad. ISO 100

© 2021
 

Nearly, but not quite

I'm having to choose my time outside carefully as Government guidelines for the current Coronavirus "lockdown" supposedly restricts any unnecessary outdoor movements to one hour a day. I'm opting to use that allocated time to early mornings as there are few people about to come into contact with.

The pre-dawn sky looked promising, but by the time I arrived on the beach most of that lovely cloud that I saw from my window had disappeared.

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/30 second at f/8. Matrix metering. - 0.3 EV compensation. 0.6 Lee grey grad. Monopod. ISO 125

© 2021

Laying in wait

For the landscape photographer the bulk of the time spent when out shooting is waiting for something to happen; that moment of inspiration to fire the shutter and (hopefully) record the feel of what's happening in front of the camera.

Today I was confident of the right conditions at the right time. It was just a case of which frame to use.

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

© 2021

A bit of (good) luck never hurt anyone

An afternoon's stroll under an overcast winter's sky very quickly turned into something eminently photogenic. I hadn't expected anything like this, nor bothered to check tide tables before setting out, but just before the sun set over the Isle of Purbeck the clouds parted. The low tide was a bonus.

 

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/60 second at f/8. Matrix metering. - 0.7 EV compensation. 0.6 Lee grey grad. Monopod. ISO 200

© 2021

Mist

Almost on a par with glorious light, I like nothing more than shooting when it's misty. Today is such a day, and a local beach that can often be awash with photographers when the going is good, is practically deserted.

Low visibility isolates the pier from its surroundings, and I over expose by nearly two stops to create an image that resembles a pencil drawing.

 24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/60 second at f/5.6. Matrix metering. + 1.7 EV compensation. Monochrome conversion in Capture One Pro. ISO 400

© 2021

Getting desperate

The first week of the year passes with nothing but leaden skies, and things are getting desperate. But when the first opportunity of a bit of light shows itself it's a frantic dash outside in order not to miss any of it, how ever late in the day it may be.

24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/400 second at f/8. Matrix metering. + 0.7 EV compensation. 0.9 Lee reverse grad. ISO 100

© 2021

The feel of winter

Winter: not a lot going on, to be honest. The black and white treatment of the image perfectly captures the present feel along the Dorset coast.

12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/50 second at f/8. Matrix metering. - 0.7 EV compensation. 0.6 Lee grey grad. Mono conversion in Capture One Pro. ISO 1250

© 2021
 

Mono Monday

                                                                              Bournemouth beach at low tide.

50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor. 1/80 second at f/8. Matrix metering. Mono conversion in Capture One Pro. ISO 200

© 2021