Seascapes - 4

[Stagecoach]

I have continued looking for some foreground interest to use with my early morning seascapes and came across this tree yesterday and although the weather was yuk and mid afternoon had an experiment with compositions.

The object of the exercise was to see if I could find a composition using the tree that is going to work well pre sunrise with the island in the background and the morning colours and sky to add to the image.

So these images are 'sketches' of what I consider are possible compositions but would be interested to hear others views especially if I'm missing something obvious.

No 1 - 1/250s, f/11


No 2 - 1/5s, f/22



And just for fun one of the results from the 'Tripod Leg Rock Stability Spike Mod' test. Sucess, totally.
No 3 - 1/15s, f/11


Grahame

[Shadowman]

Nice series. The second image I think meets your goal.

[Brownbear]

Very nice. Actually I love the first image!

For foreground interest #1 and #2 seem to be amazingly perfect and beautiful choices.

[KimC]

The first 2 are beautiful.

[Mike Buckley]

Nice series and exercise. Consider using the style of the first one but moving much closer, perhaps using a shorter focal length, and shooting upward from below the dead tree.

[ShaneS]

I like where you are going with this Grahame. The only concern that I would have would be the placement of the horizon as it relates the the tree. I like its position better in #2 than #1.

If the clouds and color cooperate you could end up the another awesome image

[Nicks Pics]

I'll start with number 3. I don't know if you had the same in mind for it, as with the others, but I think it will work for the sunrise scene, even as it is now it's very nice. #2 I think would be very nice for your purpose too. I'm just not sure the dead tree is quite spectacular enough in #1 for it's place in the scene, and the low perspective makes the mountains less visible, but if the sky was really interesting the big open space might work well to show it off well.

[ied]

Nice captures.

Irene

[deetheturk]

Great images Grahame, no.2 is my pick but but I would be happy to have taken any of them

Cheers David

[pnodrog]

2 and 3 are my picks. Interesting sky in all of them.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Grahame They are all great for me for different reasons.

1- Lovely sky

2- Nice composition

3- Very nice water movement, I would crop the dark clouds from top to put more emphasis on the rocks and water .

[Stagecoach]

Firstly, thanks to John, Christina, Kim, Mike, Shane, Nick, Irene and David for your comments.

One of the things I am starting to learn since my venture into landscape including seascape is the amount of effort that needs to be put in to 'make' a decent image. Sometimes you can be lucky, have good locations close to you and be there at the right time but my goal at present is to try and use what's within approximately an hours drive.

The 'fun' image No 3 was simply one of many I took yesterday at the same location as my previous two sets, testing the tripod stability out and playing with speeds/apertures to gain more knowledge for when I tackle the location again in the right light. This small rocky area is great in that whatever the tidal situation, whether fully in or out there is always enough rock present to make a foreground with water moving over it.

So, for the tree challenge I see the following to consider;

TIMING

The subject of which I will call the tree in No1 & 2 images is far more challenging in that there is only 15 minutes between water reaching the far end and sufficient depth at the closest end to capture movement in it which is my objective. Ideally, a shot with water flowing around the sand indent the tree has made at the stump end. So to achieve the goal with this shot the required tidal condition needs to coincide with the 30 minutes (previously determined) shooting time available pre and just after sunrise.

LIGHTING

At sunrise the light is directly to the left so No 1 is the best option for lighting the tree for adequate detail. The camera positioning for composition of No 2 will cause the tree to primarily be in shadow and I have pondered over the use of fill flash but this will more than likely cause the water to be unnaturally lit?

COMPOSITION

Mike, in No 1 I was at my minimum FL of 10mm but suspect I can move in a bit closer and vary perspective slightly to retain the full tree and island. I can see where you are coming from by getting lower so will certainly try this as well and hopefully be able to achieve compositions where I can have either sky or foreground taking up 1/3.

I think Shane's comment regarding the tree placement on the horizon should be solved by shooting lower?


Now to start looking at the Photographers Ephemeris and Tide Tables to plan when timing will be right, barring weather

Grahame

[Nicks Pics]

Sounds like you've got a plan. Would be fun to see if you get anything good from your next visit!

[Stagecoach]

2 and 3 are my picks. Interesting sky in all of them.

Thanks Paul, the sky behind was really thick with cloud with the occasional glimpse of bright light but it always seems to clear a bit over the water. It was only No 1 of these that I did any work for the sky as they are not keepers.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame They are all great for me for different reasons.

1- Lovely sky

2- Nice composition

3- Very nice water movement, I would crop the dark clouds from top to put more emphasis on the rocks and water .

Hi Binnur, thank you.

I was pleased with the water element in No 3 for two reasons, firstly, I had not used my previous method of timed release but just clicked when the action was as I wanted it and secondly I had pre focussed to ensure that foreground would be sharp at f/11.

What it needs is sunrise colours with that water

Grahame

[Kaye Leggett]

I like the composition of no 2 and think you could use this whatever the tide level and at both short and long exposures.

[Stagecoach]

I like the composition of no 2 and think you could use this whatever the tide level and at both short and long exposures.

Here's a partial covered tide on No 2 Kaye. I think get there early, mark both tripod positions for the composition and make sure there's no footprints in the sand that will be captured

My concern is still lighting on this shot but a flash my be worth a try but the shadows are bad enough with this one.



Grahame

[IzzieK]

I like this last one of the two (#1 vs. last one). I think what bothered me in #1 (which I did not know what) was exactly what Shane said -- the horizon in relation to the tree. And the fun part (#3) is an excellent shot. I don't care what anyone sez...and I am curious, did you get to try the one with the wellies on? (see I am paying attention...) hmmm...there is a big doggie head in that end rock.

BTW, good exercise...Did it rain while you were there?

[Stagecoach]

Hi Izzie,

I'll let you like them only for the compositions, they are trials and destined for recycling

I wish I had taken the tripod wellies because for the shots where I was on the sand the tripod was constantly sinking and even worse with the water lashing over it.

I have to sort a proper engineering job out quickly to stop the legs sinking for long exposures and at this moment the ideas are either three flower pots upside down and screwed onto the spikes or three ceramic floor tiles to stand the legs on

Yes it did rain on and off and the sea spray got me and the gear but the funny thing was that when I was done and walked back I had not realised the ground I walked over to get there was actually sloping up. Hence quite a strange view of photographer with camera and tripod held over his shoulder with one hand and the other yanking up his shorts to keep them dry, he he.

Grahame

[Brownbear]

Hi Grahame,

Just to say thank you for starting this thread, and as always for sharing your learning experience with such wonderful detail. Truly appreciated!

PS #1 is still my favourite. If the light was on the mountains along with that gorgeous sky... Stunning! But they all seem to work exceptionally well.