Low light, long exposures.

[Scouse]

I saw an article in the English "Photographers Monthly" so I thought, in the best interest of flattery, to try some.

The coastline on the island here is nice but not really dramatic but I found these pier post at English Boom Park.

Shots were between 30 and 90 seconds f16 and 100 ISO. All I had, until I bought some ND filters, was a welding glass I used in a Cokin frame. The colours that came though the glass were pretty interesting, so I went Mono..

A little gentle criticism (I'm sensitive) would be appreciated

[NorthernFocus]

Nicely done, Ken. I like the first and last best. IMO the reflections don't add anything to these shots and make the compositions a bit awkward. But no one ever accused me of being a landscape photographer.

The first shot has a few dust spots that could be cleaned up. Also a bit of selective sharpening on the posts might be an improvement.

In the last image I love the details of the wood grain and barnacles. Also the strongest composition of the lot IMO though a bit cropped off the bottom wouldn't hurt. Can't figure out what the spots are all over the image. Looks like raindrops but with the long exposure not possible. Very distracting.

[IzzieK]

I am not a fan of long exposure on waters but this one is good. No 1 I like best because of the texture of the decaying wood at the right. Nice shots.

[Shadowman]

Nice shots, agree about the spots in some of the images, also in the first (not necessarily a criticism) there appears to be a textured effect to the light areas.

[Scouse]

Thanks folks, appreciate your input. I agree with your comments, guess I needed some re enforcement.

I found out after the shoot that my old Oly E500 which hates anything over 400 iso. also gives noise spots on long exposures and I didn't have the NR on. More sharpening = more noise.

We took some more shots at a different location, I'll post them soon.

[Wavelength]

Actually these are really classic images; they are having a dreamy effect; i see hardly any chance that your sensitivity is put to test by these classic images......

[bnnrcn]

I like #2, #3 and #4 Ken If they were coloured, they would probably look nicer but you already explained the reason for converting to B&W.

[Scouse]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have a "Long exposures part deux" with an example of colour.

Dreamy was what I was going for...

[FootLoose]

Great set, Ken. The first is my favourite because of the variation in the three posts. I like the idea of the reflections although in the 3rd and 4th, it seems like they are solid and the posts are standing on top of them. I think the 2nd would be better without the distant horizon as it seems to cap the posts, and in the 3rd and 4th the posts are bit too close to the top of the frame.

Looking forward to the next set.