Morning light - Series 2

[NorthernFocus]

This is a lovely set of images. And what a great exercise to work different aspects of the same subject.

Regarding the difference in colors etc, I've never looked into it to explain exactly what's going on, but using GND/ND filters with long exposures always does odd things with colors to me. Perhaps because the filtering that is taking place over long exposures is beyond our visual perception. At any rate, the nuances of the phenomenon can only be understood with experience with a given filter/lens/camera combination. And the results will be different with different exposure times. Personally I'm not sure that "correcting" it is either possible nor desirable. After all with long exposures we create images that are surreal anyhow.

At any rate, looks like you're having fun with it and are definitely generating some interesting images.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame,

Beautiful images. I too love the dreamy look. The first is my favourite, for the composition and the soft reflections, and the colours.

I have yet to purchase filters or use them, so I don't know for sure but I think the colours are natural and that the purple just fades way (less intense) in the foreground. The clouds are purple-blue (like many clouds I've seen and photographed that came out with a purple hue also seen on the horizon of the water) and the purple colour is just more intense near the horizon where the light falls.

In the 2nd image in the lower right quadrant where the light is darker the water is has a blue-purple cast, and at the horizon where the clouds are red with the sunlight the water colour reflect these colours.

So I think it is just natural, but I've never used filters so I don't know for sure. Either way it's a beautiful image.

I would like to ask what level of ND filter you needed. ie; I'm trying to decide if I need a 3D or 6D ND filter for sunrises just so I can expose for the sky and the foreground. Thank you.

Hi Christina,

Thanks for your careful look at these images. Firstly, No 1 is what it's all about for me at the moment which is capturing the light before the sun comes up.

I was at location very close to the above this morning and there certainly was a purple/pink tint in the sky for a period which was more prominent farther from where the sun would rise, I had made a mental note to look for this. But I'm not convinced this was as great as appears in No 1 & 2 above.

You may have also noticed there is a problem with all images, except No 3, in that there's bad vignetting in the upper right corners caused by my Cokin P series filter holder when used on my 18-200 at wider focal lengths causing severe darkening of that area. I seem to recall I have another filter holder somewhere for WA use but if not can always frame wider to allow for this.

The filters I used for these consisted of;

a) Hoya Pro Digital low profile CPL, I believe this gives about 1 1/2 to 2 stops.
b) Cokin P153 Neutral Grey : ND4 - 0.6 this gives 2 stops.
c) Cokin P121 Neutral Grey Graduated : ND8 this gives 4 stops. (for the sky)

This full combination was of little use for blurring water once the sun gets above the horizon when wishing to work between f/11 to f/22. The ND8 graduated seems to work well for the sky in achieving a better balance for exposure, but I would seek advice from those who have far more experience than me.

I am seriously going to consider a vari ND if I can get one shipped here which will give me far greater control for the water.

PS, I actually managed to get a heron shot today, but I do need a longer lens

Grahame

[Brownbear]

Thank you for sharing. Truly appreciated.

I hope you receive your vari ND. Congrats on the heron shot! I too, need a longer lens as I'm trying to photograph tree swallows in flight.

Hi Christina,

Thanks for your careful look at these images. Firstly, No 1 is what it's all about for me at the moment which is capturing the light before the sun comes up.

I was at location very close to the above this morning and there certainly was a purple/pink tint in the sky for a period which was more prominent farther from where the sun would rise, I had made a mental note to look for this. But I'm not convinced this was as great as appears in No 1 & 2 above.

You may have also noticed there is a problem with all images, except No 3, in that there's bad vignetting in the upper right corners caused by my Cokin P series filter holder when used on my 18-200 at wider focal lengths causing severe darkening of that area. I seem to recall I have another filter holder somewhere for WA use but if not can always frame wider to allow for this.

The filters I used for these consisted of;

a) Hoya Pro Digital low profile CPL, I believe this gives about 1 1/2 to 2 stops.
b) Cokin P153 Neutral Grey : ND4 - 0.6 this gives 2 stops.
c) Cokin P121 Neutral Grey Graduated : ND8 this gives 4 stops. (for the sky)

This full combination was of little use for blurring water once the sun gets above the horizon when wishing to work between f/11 to f/22. The ND8 graduated seems to work well for the sky in achieving a better balance for exposure, but I would seek advice from those who have far more experience than me.

I am seriously going to consider a vari ND if I can get one shipped here which will give me far greater control for the water.

PS, I actually managed to get a heron shot today, but I do need a longer lens

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

This is a lovely set of images. And what a great exercise to work different aspects of the same subject.

Regarding the difference in colors etc, I've never looked into it to explain exactly what's going on, but using GND/ND filters with long exposures always does odd things with colors to me. Perhaps because the filtering that is taking place over long exposures is beyond our visual perception. At any rate, the nuances of the phenomenon can only be understood with experience with a given filter/lens/camera combination. And the results will be different with different exposure times. Personally I'm not sure that "correcting" it is either possible nor desirable. After all with long exposures we create images that are surreal anyhow.

At any rate, looks like you're having fun with it and are definitely generating some interesting images.

Thanks Dan for your input. I have done some further reading up on this but am coming to the conclusion not to worry about it as there's nothing I can do with the equipment I have at the time when I'm taking the pictures I want

You are right about fun, it's an interesting new area to explore and the best time of day to be out by the water.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, very serene setting, all versions.

[Stagecoach]

Nicely done, very serene setting, all versions.

Thanks John, I have just finished re-working all the images as I found the 'easy route' that reduced my PP choices to a minimum.