The Challenge with Iconic Landscapes....

[NorthernFocus]

... is that I often have a pre-conceived notion of what sort of image that I'm looking for. And so it was with our visit to the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. First, I've seen so many colorful sunrise and/or sunset images of the Apostles, that is what was in my head. Of course with travel involved etc., we showed up 1) in the middle of the day, and 2) with an overcast sky

Second, I was completely unprepared for 3) how crowded it was and 4) the degree of limited access due to crowd control measures.

But I traveled several thousand miles/kms to get here so wasn't leaving without giving it a go. So I stood shoulder to shoulder with the crowds, inhaled half a pack equivalent of second hand smoke, and took the following shot.

Sony a6000 and 18-55mm kit lens. Sub optimal processing done on a laptop. Best viewed in the light box.

1) CPL filter, handheld, 45mm, 1/160s, f11, ISO200



But we were spending the next two nights just a few miles away in Port Campbell so if conditions improved I could return for another shoot. The next day was no better, but on our final morning on the coast, the pre-dawn hours looked clear so I headed out. I had it in my head that I wanted to take some long exposure shots. Like multiple minute type stuff. So I showed up early to do so. But it was so windy that my light gear wasn't up to the task due to wind induced camera shake. I also forgot how fast dawn comes on at lower latitudes than where I live. Each failed attempt used a lot of time. In the end I was finally able to produce a reasonably sharp shot with a 20s exposure. It was so clear that there wasn't much color to be had, but we take what we get...

2) CPL plus 3stop ND filters, tripod mounted (sort of...), 45mm, 20s, f16, ISO100



3) Then after the sun came up I tried out the in-camera HDR function set at 5EV



So I ended up with a couple of images of the Apostles but overall it was disappointing relative to what I had pre-conceived. As things turned out my favorite shots of the southern coast ended up having nothing to do with the Apostles. I'll save that for another post

[Donald]

Thank you for posting this, Dan and giving such a detailed commentary on your experience. I think it's a very important read for people who might find themselves visiting one of the world's iconic landscapes. I know that this very sort of situation weighed heavily in my thinking when I first started considering my trip to Yosemite next year - Imagine turning up at Tunnel View at mid-day in August and you only have an hour or two before you need to move on. The stuff of photographic nightmares!

Given the constraints imposed upon you, I think you did pretty well.

[FootLoose]

Dan, the only pictures I have seen of the Apostles are like your first shot. So, your 2nd and 3rd are a breath of fresh air to me. They're all good, but I especially like the colours you have captured in the 2nd.

[pnodrog]

I had a similar time staying at Port Campbell (Kangaroo steak very nice) and getting up in the early hours of the morning to take dozens of photographs (Velvia 100 film) that other people seem to appreciate but don't really portray the sense of grandeur and scale of the of the scene you get when you are there looking out at it. I had seen so many photographs of it that I would have liked to capture something different but in the end were disappointingly similar to the others I had viewed. The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains are a bit like that too. Unless you are very lucky, as a tourist with limited time, you just achieve another very competent shot. At least get to see these Iconic Landscapes and experience actually being there.

I took a series shots for an HDR photo of a pool in a natural arch just a few km along the coast but for some reason my film camera did not do much of the HDR work for me, I think your camera did a pretty good job of it.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for commenting, folks.

Donald, you've got the right idea for a photo centered trip by spending a good bit of time in one area. And I'll bet even at that you'll feel the time is not adequate to accomplish all you'd like to do. But a much better plan than just passing through.

...I took a series shots for an HDR photo of a pool in a natural arch just a few km along the coast but for some reason my film camera did not do much of the HDR work for me, I think your camera did a pretty good job of it.

The technology nowadays is truly amazing. I doubt that I use ten percent of the capability of any of my digital cameras. Ironically I do find myself using more features on my least expensive kit. There's a lesson in there somewhere...

[Chrisclick]

Hi Dan. Great job in spite of the difficulties. As Greg said, your first image is similar to a lot of the shots that we normally see of the Twelve Apostles. Your second and third however, are very different indeed.

I've been looking at your shots for a few minutes now, and I just keep feeling attracted to #2. I know you are probably not that happy with it, although there must be something that draws me back to it. The colour transformation provided by your filter combination is quite pleasant to my eyes. The long exposure has nicely affected the water and revealed more detail in the rock face on the right - which, strictly speaking - may detract from your subject. Yet, curiously enough, IMO does not.

Sorry we couldn't get together at Byron. I hope you are enjoying your time in Oz, and are not faced with many more trials in your efforts to photograph the place!

P.S. I think it was a wise person who once said: "Our disappointments are equal to the difference between our expectations and our reality." I think it was a wise person....maybe not?

[Mike Buckley]

If I remember correctly, the intended outcomes of your trip were planned to be less about photography and more about experiencing the country. If I'm right about that, you certainly accomplished your goal at least with everything you have reported so far. Plus you've shown us some very nice photographs as a bonus.

That's very different from Donald's upcoming trip to Yosemite, which is almost entirely about photography. People advised him that a few days at Yosemite would be all that he would need and your experience at the Apostles is an example of why I believe he was correct to plan a much longer stay.

My take on all of this is to manage one's expectations by clearly defining one's goals before setting out on a trip. If the trip is all about photography, plan to ensure the likelihood of a positive outcome. Otherwise, devise a different plan with different outcomes in mind. It seems to me that you've done a wonderful job of the latter and that you're having a great time that is producing lifelong memories because of it.

[Kaye Leggett]

Lovely thoughts and like the others appreciate the dialogue. You are right, the first photo is 'average' - I don't mean that to be harsh, just the reality of your situation and we've all been there (still there, me). But your second image is a stunner and definitely to be proud of.

[NorthernFocus]

Well I'm glad the post generated some dialogue. Unfortunately I have to keep re-learning the lesson of managing my own expectations.

Chris we enjoyed Byron as well as the rest of the coast. Saw something new and unique(to us) everywhere that we went. At Coff's we saw two fair sized male goannas fighting. I'd estimate they were about 1.5m long including the tales. While they were at it a third, smaller male had his way with the lady that they were apparently fighting over.

Mike, great observations. For the most part life is what we make of it. That goes for photography as well. The Apostles were the only part of this trip that I pre-planned to shoot. And it turned out to be the only aspect of the trip that I was less than thrilled with. Note to self for future planning....

Kaye, thanks for the comment. Ultimately I'm fairly pleased with what I came away with considering the conditions. Plus my bride likes the second shot so all is right with the world

[Wavelength]

i really like the first one; the sea color of #2 is too cerulean to be natural.... I also like #3
Regards

[tinally]

I suppose the whole problem is really having a preconceived notion of what any picture of a natural landscape will look like. Perhaps even any picture not shot in a studio. You never quite know what you are going to be given, but for me that is half the fun and the mark of a good photographer.

Sometimes the images that I end up with are far more striking than any image I could have planned when I simply allow things to take their course and see what my camera lens captures.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice series. My favs are #1 and #3. #1 represents the stormy weather very nicely and the light on the rocks is lovely in #3

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, folks.

[ST1]

I do admire your tenacity Dan, well done for making any images at all given the problems you faced. I like all three of the images Dan. However the first reminded me of when we visited, though it looks as if you had slightly better weather than we did.
I hope you don't mind me high jacking your thread please let me know and I shall delete this post if you don't approve of being high jacked. Here is one of mine though only to show the weather conditions

[NorthernFocus]

Not a problem, Peter. We had our share of rain as well but mostly wind. The day prior to arriving at the Apostles the weather drove us inland. That turned out to be one of the most pleasant surprises of the trip. We hadn't planned to spend any time in the rain forest of Otway but did so under perfect conditions to see the area live up to the name. But I'll make that the subject of another thread. Which will have to wait until we're back home. Today we fly...

[IzzieK]

We used to have a place overlooking the Great Ocean Road down at Kenneth River...that seems a lifetime ago when that place was the least populated and the best place they said was in Geelong. I had like least populated places more. We sold the place when people just kept coming and living there. On my recent trip over, I can't believe how much that place had changed that I almost do not want to get out of the car...it had became a too busy place up to Warnambool...maybe even beyond...Sad.

Anyway, not really a fan of smooth water shots, I like #1 the best even if it looks like the same as many had taken it...and #3 for the direction of the sunlight...

I am glad you are having fun over there...do you ever wonder if Grace is missing you and Paige?